In just a short time, Apple will begin moving into its famed new “Spaceship” campus. Officially named Apple Park, the massive project is nearing completion after nearly six years of planning and building. $5 billion project, developed in collaboration with architects Foster + Partners, has been easy to follow for observers of the company with drones providing aerial footage of the construction on a regular basis. The dramatic shape of the building, a simple perfect circle, is a testament to Apple’s unique focus on design.
If design is “how it works,” what does that mean for Apple’s new campus? More importantly, what does that mean for the role of design in workspaces overall? Does the look and feel of an office change it’s functionality? Are beautiful workplaces more likely to inspire creativity, or are they simply distracting? If employees feel relaxed in an office, will this make them more productive, or will it simply make them bored?
Architects and planners like those at Foster + Partners have pondered these questions for years. A most popular concept in workplaces is the open-space design. These large open seating areas are thought to inspire collaboration between team members.