Google's Kings Cross campus will integrate the tech giant's values for a healthy and interactive community into its design.
Google purchased the $1.6 billion property directly across from London's Kings Cross station in 2013 and has finally released renderings of its new London headquarters. Designed by BIG and Heatherwick Studio, the 11-storey building will feature a 210-seat auditorium, a basketball court, a 'Trim Track' and a bicycle rack that will hold 686 bicycles. To promote walking and employee interaction, Google's Kings Cross campus will make use of more stairs and escalators rather than elevators.
To minimize glare inside the building, timber mullions that rotate 180 degrees will be installed with the ability to shift with the rotation of the sun. Solar panels with a yearly output of 19,800 kWh will sit on the roof of the building along with a vast outdoor space and running track.
Health-Focused Tech Headquarters
Google's Kings Cross Campus Will Promote Employee Health
Trend Themes
1. Health-promoting Workspaces - There's room for designing workspaces that encourage healthy habits among employees, providing a good opportunity for companies in real estate, construction and architecture industries to innovate.
2. Green Energy in Large-scale Buildings - Integrating alternative sources of energy such as solar panels into buildings like Google's Kings Cross campus is a trend that creates innovation opportunities in the solar energy, real estate development and construction industries.
3. Employee Health Monitoring Technology - The new Google campus focused on promoting employee health can encourage the development of health monitoring technologies, an opportunity for innovation in healthcare, technology and data-driven industries.
Industry Implications
1. Real Estate Development - Incorporating healthy and interactive community values into large-scale real estate developments like Google's Kings Cross campus can disrupt the traditional design of workspaces.
2. Construction - Constructing green energy buildings like the Kings Cross campus can innovate the traditional way buildings are designed and operated.
3. Healthcare - Opportunities for companies focused on health monitoring technologies can arise with the promotion of employee health in new workspaces like Google's Kings Cross campus.