How The Googleplex Unknowingly Set The Template For Modern Workplace Design

Although the building has been standing since 2004, it wasn’t until a year later that architect Clive Wilkinson redesigned the space and unknowingly set the standard for workplace design 20 years later.

Your first thoughts may be that the space looks like it has been held hostage by the noughties, likely due to the colour scheme, but it’s actually a masterclass in branding. Retro or not, the space is unmistakably ‘Google’ and instantly recognisable whether you’re in the toilets or the car park.

Some of these design choices have now become a staple of modern workspaces and make up the core wishlist of those looking for an exciting new space.

GooglePlex’s Timeless Design Features

Playing around with the line between workplace professionalism and theme-park-level design (5ft Android statue we’re looking at you) led Clive to a design discovery which was arguably ahead of his time. 

Utilising Natural Elements 

Contrasting the nature of Google’s business – extremely tech-centric – the space was designed to bring nature into the fore. Glass walls, allowing natural light to flow through the build, low-rise buildings reducing the casting of shadows and more expansive outdoor spaces than you could shake a multi-coloured stick at.

These design choices do a lot of the heavy lifting when creating the atmosphere around the complex, with the team feeling more relaxed and connected with nature throughout their work days. It sets the tone and aids creativity, with that positivity being reinvested in how each person interacts with one another.

Flourishes of Style

How do you make wide open spaces and minimalistic, ‘clean’ design interesting? 

Underpin it with bold and wacky decor!

Incorporating lava lamps (granted, very ‘of the time’), exercise balls in place of chairs and huge centrepieces like a replica of SpaceShipOne, gave the space a playful feel about it.

These lively features were carefully chosen to add personality to the interior without undermining the importance of the work they do at Google. If anything, it became one of their best marketing tools – simply by turning up to work, they were fuelling their own hype. 

That’s workplace design at its best.

Social Layout

The sociable design was taken straight from that of a university campus, with buildings and walkways positioned specifically to encourage people to interact. The availability of shared bikes, outdoor courtyards, and social hubs all offer natural ways for people to meet and spend time together.

The vision was for a space that would be ‘living’. A space which wouldn’t hold anybody back and would become as much a part of the team as the people in it. It’s fair to say Wilkinson and his team have achieved exactly that with a bustling space that captures the feeling of ‘being on the edge of greatness’ with a clear view into the future.

Biophilic Design

Incorporating nature, or at least natural-feeling elements, such as artificial plants, can bring the outside in, blending the divide between work and leisure. Googleplex incorporated astro turf into their office flooring, mainstreaming the use of the turf indoors. What seems like such a simple idea now was groundbreaking back then (pardon the pun), pushing the boundaries of what interiors could look like.

The outdoor areas and wider campus are flush with greenery too, softening the harder edges of the grey building exterior. Perfectly preened plants line the pathways, guiding you around the site in a way which feels completely organic.

Timeless Design

You’ll see all of these design influences across many high-end office spaces today, especially with the projects we’ve worked on, such as McCain Chicago, Beal Homes and one of our more recent projects, C4DI.

The key reason these features have stood the test of time and will continue to do so in the future is that they directly support employee well-being, which in turn has a positive impact on productivity. Whether it’s biophilic elements which help to reduce stress or sociable communal areas which support good mental health amongst your team, every little detail has an important part to play. 

Step into the future with us

If you’re looking for your own ‘GooglePlex’ which reflects your brand in it’s every fibre and creates an exciting environment for your team to thrive, we’d love to work with you.

Take a look at work we’ve done before and get in touch when you’re ready to chat.