GOOGLE SOUTH LAKE UNION

How can a COMPLEX OFFICE SPACE FOR A GLOBAL COMPANY BECOME A COHESIVE EXPERIENCE THAT FEELS BOTH GLOBAL AND LOCAL?

This tech giant is notorious for providing it’s employees with over the top, fully-engaging physical experiences and a host of amenities and services to cater to their every need. The challenge for this project was to push the client beyond the ‘more is more’ mentality and give the space a more sophisticated, grown-up spin on the ‘google’ experience.

SETTING
NBBJ Design,
Seattle, WA

ROLE
project designer
project architect
 

As part of the design and delivery team my role has involved design development, construction documentation, and construction administration. I developed graphics for presentations and reports; collaborated on interior and architectural design work including finishes, consultant coordination, and client user group coordination, produced construction documentation drawings. The project is currently under construction. 

The Google SLU project will be a multi-block campus in the South Lake Union neighborhood in Seattle, WA. It is meant to be an urban anchor for Google in the emerging Seattle tech scene. My team at NBBJ is responsible for the interiors for the first building to be built as part of the development, a 6-floor, 400,000 square foot interior architecture and branding project. The challenge for this project is to create a cohesive workspace that meets the needs of a large (and evolving) number of employees in a tight square-footage, while also creating an immersive brand experience for employees and visitors alike. 

The inspiration for this project was twofold: First, a quote from a Googler heard during the programming and research phase of the project, “It’s the interstitial space where the magic happens,” became an idea about the spatial strategy for the project. Second, the South Lake Union campus is the third Google campus in the Seattle area, all of which are connected by Seattle’s many waterways. The qualities of water give identity to the Seattle region and became a rich starting point for the environmental experience.

Empowered. Seamless. Intentional. Evolved.

below: the gallery of concept slides.

below: floor plan conceptual spatial planning

below: final floor plans

below: a process sketch to help refine how the different spaces identify back to the 'bluff edge / water edge' concept.

The conceptual approach was translated to a material palette by floor. Each floor identifies with one of the Google brand colors, but also pulls in coordinating and accent colors to bring a sophistication to the Google brand.

MATERIAL PALETTE BY FLOOR

IMAGES FROM A MATERIALS IN-PROCESS CLIENT MEETING

One of the primary pieces of the project I was responsible for the design and coordination of was the micro kitchens. Think of them as the office water cooler on steriods - these are some of the most notorious and activity-filled spaces in Google offices, where Googlers stop by to refuel, run in to co-workers, and exchange ideas.

FROM CONCEPT TO BUILDABLE SPACE

I was one of a team of 4 that brought the project from design and presentation drawings to documentation.  During this time my role included coordinating and documenting the project with other internal NBBJ teams and external consultants; drawing plans, sections, and details. I also assisted with the permitting process for this project.

I am currently one of two project architects taking the Google project through construction.  We are coordinating with design-build trades and continuing to coordinate with specialty user groups from the client side. 

The construction process for this project has been atypical. The client is one that is very comfortable innovating and rethinking their own design work, and expects the same in the process of building their office spaces. They are constantly looking at their other office spaces worldwide, trying new things, and learning from their trials. This has been a unique experience during the construction process because my role is still very much a designer.

below: an on-site lighting mockup review with the lighting team and electrical engineers.

In addition to the more standard CA duties of attending OAC meetings, the significant amount of design changes during construction has meant the architecture and construction teams have had to work closely together to come up with the best way to modify partially built spaces in a way that minimizes negative cost and timing effects but still maintains the high bar of the original design.