Google’s King’s Cross Campus has taken another step forward as the company recently submitted an application for planning permission to Camden Council.
The London HQ, which will be purpose-built and is designed by BIG and Heatherwick Studio, will rise 11 stories and comprise over 1 million sf. Google will occupy 650,000 sf of the new campus. The building will include cafes, gym and pool facilities, a covered multi-use games area, an Events Center, and staff training facilities.
A landscaped roof will include terraces and a walking trail that stretches the length of the building while the ground floor will provide space for retail. “By opening up the ground floor and activating the roofscape, the light and airy workspaces are sandwiched between the terraced gardens on the roof and market halls, auditoria, and shops on the ground,” says Bjarke Ingels, Founding Partner at BIG, in a release.
The building has been designed from a family of interchangeable elements that allow the headquarters’ workspaces to quickly and easily adapt to change. When combined with the current building at 6 Pancras Square and an additional third building, the new campus has the potential to house up to 7,000 Google employees.
Rendering courtesy of HayesDavidson.
Three main points are laid out about the project’s design in the application’s Executive Summary of Inclusivity:
— The design principles are extremely coherent and aim to produce a building that has a high degree of architectural legibility and therefore ease of use.
— The organization of major floor plates and minor floor plates provides a wide range of features that will assist users in their navigation of what could otherwise be a complex building.
— The ground plane provides a great opportunity for the public to interact with the building, creating permeability and a transition between the private spaces and the public realm.
Rendering courtesy of HayesDavidson.
If the application is approved, the project could break ground in 2018.
You can view the entire application for planning permission here.
Rendering courtesy of HayesDavidson.
Rendering courtesy of HayesDavidson.
Related Stories
Office Buildings | Mar 19, 2018
A cost guide to office fit-outs provides comparisons for 59 markets
The new JLL report also finds landlords offering more generous tenant improvement allowances.
Movers+Shapers | Mar 19, 2018
Movers + Shapers: Tech takeover
From Chicago to Charlotte, the tech boom is transforming urban real estate markets and redefining workplace design.
Office Buildings | Mar 19, 2018
The new office has roots in retail
How retail’s focus on brand authenticity, heritage and education are transforming workplace design.
Office Buildings | Mar 13, 2018
Using workplace data to create connected communities
Workplace data is being put to use by corporate service groups to provide a better employee experience and empower the businesses that are their customers.
Office Buildings | Mar 12, 2018
Sound advice on workplace design
Thoughtful design, paired with a change management program to educate staff, can both enhance connectivity and minimize distractions.
Office Buildings | Mar 6, 2018
C.F. Møller Architects and Arkthing win competition to design Icelandic bank building
Landsbankinn is Iceland’s largest bank.
Glass and Glazing | Mar 5, 2018
New $5 Billion Apple Headquarters Has a Glass Problem
The substantial use of glass on the interior of Apple Park has caused headaches for some employees, literally.
Office Buildings | Mar 2, 2018
Give your HQ some heart: Creating branded workplaces
These days, if your office space isn’t a true reflection of your brand, you’ve missed a big opportunity to connect with your audience.
Office Buildings | Mar 1, 2018
The top seven floors of Macy’s State Street store will be converted to office space
The deal is worth $30 million.
Office Buildings | Feb 23, 2018
Why the 'cultural fit' doesn't fit
Evidence shows that companies that hire on or emphasize cultural fit struggle to innovate and change.
