Contract - July/August 2013 - (Page 113)

the diverse staff of more than 2,000. Originating from more than 65 countries, many employees relocated to Dublin specifically for their Google jobs. Google’s priority was to infuse the campus with cultures from many countries besides Ireland to help newcomers feel more at home.reland Employees had a significant role in guiding the workplace design. “Quite purposefully, Google did not provide us with a design brief. The company wanted to ensure that we as designers began the process by engaging users,” says Stefan Camenzind, partner and executive director of Camenzind Evolution. Based on employees’ input, the design team established themes for each of the four buildings, and further emphasized these themes through each floor’s identity. “A well-executed theming effort encourages an emotional connection between employees and their place of work and is a significant hiring and retention tool,” says Colm Buckley, a Google systems engineering manager. Four buildings, four approaches Google Docks, a new tower purchased by the company and fitted out as part of the project, boldly proclaims the corporate presence at street level with giant, colorful letters—brought to life from the unmistakable logo—that appear to rise from the lobby floor. Translated into an architectural language, Google’s products, philosophy, and culture permeate the tower’s 14 floors, which were shaped around identities such as “Search,” “Appiness,” “Be Green,” “@Home,” “Create,” “Organize,” and “Innovate.” Two other buildings located across the street from Google Docks, the 9-story tall Gasworks House and the 7-story tall Gordon House, were previously owned by Google and renovated as part of the campus. Floors within Gasworks House represent natural and man-made landscapes throughout the world—such as the sky, mountains, forests, sand, water, and cities—while Gordon House’s interiors incorporate colors from international flags. The fourth building, located a block away from the others, is the 6-story tall One Grand Canal (1GC). The designs of Google’s spaces within pay homage to Irish culture and include a replica of a pub that employees have cheekily dubbed “Shaven Yak,” as well as a library based on the Long Room in Trinity College. While interiors vary contract

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Contract - July/August 2013

Contract - July/August 2013
Contents
Editorial
Industry News
Columnist: Tips on Developing Winning Proposals
Product Focus: Geometry Rules
Product Focus: From Brazil to London
Product Focus: Drawn from the Sea
best of NeoCon®
Google Dublin
Autodesk Milan
Dental Clinic
Botín Foundation
Penhaligon’s
Competition: Inspirations Awards
Designers Select: Surfacing
Sources
Ad Index
Exhibition: MoMA Explores the Design Mind of Le Corbusier

Contract - July/August 2013