Apple Park is the corporate headquarters of Apple Inc., located at One Apple Park Way in Cupertino, California, United States. It was opened to employees in April 2017, while construction was still underway. Its research and development facilities are occupied by more than 2,000 people. It superseded the original headquarters at 1 Infinite Loop, which opened in 1993.

Its circular design, courtesy of Norman Foster, and extreme scale have earned the structure a media nickname “the spaceship”. Located on a suburban site totaling 175 acres (71 hectares), it houses more than 12,000 employees in one central four-story circular building of approximately 2,800,000 square feet (260,000 square meters). Steve Jobs wanted the whole campus to look less like an office park and more like a nature refuge. Eighty percent of the site consists of green space planted with drought-resistant trees and plants indigenous to the Cupertino area, and the center courtyard of the main building features an artificial pond.

On June 7, 2011, Steve Jobs presented to Cupertino City Council details of the architectural design of the new buildings and their environs. He did not live to see construction begin, passing away just under four months later.

ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL

Apple Park stands as a testament to innovative architectural design and sustainable construction practices. The circular main building, often referred to as “the spaceship,” boasts a diameter of 1,512 feet, making it one of the largest circular buildings in the world. Its unique shape not only provides aesthetic appeal but also maximizes natural light and ventilation throughout the structure.

SEISMIC ENGINEERING

Given California’s seismic activity, Apple Park incorporates advanced earthquake protection measures. The main building sits on 692 base isolators, allowing it to move up to 4.5 feet horizontally in any direction during a seismic event. This sophisticated system ensures the safety of occupants and the integrity of the structure during earthquakes.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

The facility is powered by 100% renewable energy, with a 17-megawatt rooftop solar installation being one of the largest in the world. The building’s design also incorporates natural ventilation systems, reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling for about 75% of the year. This commitment to sustainability aligns with Apple’s goal of minimizing its environmental impact.

GLASS MASTERY

One of the most striking features of Apple Park is its extensive use of curved glass. The main building features the world’s largest panels of curved glass, with some reaching heights of 45 feet. These custom-made panels required the development of new manufacturing techniques and were produced by German glass company Seele.

LANDSCAPING INNOVATION

The campus’s landscaping is a marvel in itself, featuring over 9,000 native and drought-resistant trees. The site includes a 30-acre orchard, reminiscent of the Santa Clara Valley’s agricultural past. A sophisticated underground watering system utilizes recycled water, demonstrating Apple’s commitment to water conservation in drought-prone California.

STEVE JOBS THEATER

While not part of the main building, the Steve Jobs Theater is an architectural gem in its own right. This 1,000-seat auditorium is topped by a carbon-fiber roof weighing 80 tons, making it the largest such structure in the world. The theater’s 20-foot-tall glass cylinder, supporting the roof without any additional columns, is a testament to structural engineering prowess.

VENTILATION SYSTEM

The building’s natural ventilation system is a feat of engineering. It operates by drawing in outside air and circulating it through the building’s hollow concrete floors. This system, combined with radiant cooling, allows the building to go without heating or air conditioning for 9 months of the year, significantly reducing energy consumption.

PARKING INFRASTRUCTURE

To maintain the campus’s park-like atmosphere, most parking is underground. The campus features two massive parking structures, each with a capacity for 6,000 vehicles. These structures are topped with solar panels, contributing to the facility’s renewable energy generation.