Apple Park's New 'The Observatory' Revealed Ahead of iPhone 16 Event

[MacRumors]

Architecture and design publication Dezeen today shared photos of an all-new event-focused building at Apple Park called "The Observatory."

"The Observatory" is built into a hillside near Steve Jobs Theater, and it will be used for new product demonstrations following Apple's special events, according to the report. It is set to open following the iPhone 16 event today.

The building has a domed entrance above the ground with a sky-facing oculus, along with a "portal-like" window with views of the Apple Park campus.

"With its stunning views of the campus greenery and the mountains ringing the horizon, The Observatory truly is an extension of Apple Park, showcasing the best of California and the best of the natural environment around us," said John De Maio, Apple's global head of design for real estate and development.

More details about the building's design and materials used can be found in Dezeen's article.

Article Link: Apple Park's New 'The Observatory' Revealed Ahead of iPhone 16 Event

 

[david_n_n]

What?! Did anyone know about the construction of this before this point?!

 

[victorvictoria]

Looks like a VisionPro headset for Paul Bunyan!

 

[Techieman75]

Was gonna say this looks like something from Silo.

 

[Lioness~]

Apple will reveal their new Apple Store on Mars today, don’t miss it.
The only possible reason Tim was inviting Musk to the Apple Park a while ago.

 

[vegetassj4]

You can't fool us with your propaganda, we know The Picard has finally come for us to give praise to.

 

[coffeemilktea]

I guess not even hobbit houses are safe from Modern Architecture, huh?

 

[Slix]

This is pretty neat! Can't wait to see people's photos from it later today.

 

[pdaholic]

Nothing says “modern” like indoor trees and blocky uncomfortable white couches.

 

[MisterSavage]

Ooooh. I hope I get into WWDC again and can see it.

 

[mikedis]

Apple's architechture is some of the coolest. I need to hire their firm to design my house. Probably couldn't afford it. (the firm or a house)

 

[arkitect]

Apple's architechture is some of the coolest. I need to hire their firm to design my house. Probably couldn't afford it. (the firm or a house)

Just give Norman Foster a ring… I'm sure they'll get back to you.

Apple Park Design

 

[jayducharme]

It's strange that the ceiling in the big room is wood. To me, that makes the room feel claustrophobic.

 

[Darth Tulhu]

I'm of the mind that most modern architecture lacks charm.

I'm all for clean lines and all but most modern spaces look cold and uninviting.

I prefer old designs applied with a modern sensibility; all this Apple/Jetsons stuff has not and will not age well in my mind at least.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

It's a giant set of iVision Pro goggles!

 

[orbital~debris]

Love the naming of the new building. A place for the media et al to have a look at the latest products from Apple, while simultaneously offering views of their home environment. The Observatory indeed.

 

[Osxguy]

Dystopian … every time I see Apple Park this or Apple Park that I just think of the outrageous housing prices near Cupertino and the amount of homes this could be. Maybe im getting old but I could care less about offices… of course sitting in Bay Area traffic does amazing stuff for the “green” image of Apple as it takes me an hour and a half to get from downtown San Jose up the peninsula but seems to empty up for a bit after Cupertino.

 

[WWPD]

You can't fool us with your propaganda, we know The Picard has finally come for us to give praise to.

View attachment 2414205View attachment 2414206

Still a pre-warp civilization, but Tim is on the brink of developing the warp drive.

 

[vegetassj4]

Still a pre-warp civilization, but Tim is on the brink of developing the warp drive.

I thought that was included with the iPhone 6

 

[123jmail]

I guess not even hobbit houses are safe from Modern Architecture, huh?

LOL Bag End is exactly what I thought of when I saw it, only it's a far less charming version!

 

[armandxp]

This might be the biggest surprise of the day! 🤣🤣

 

[iZac]

Reminds me of the Ando’s Chichu Art Museum on Naoshima, it’s all underground too.

The link is just a VR render of the museum, but it shows the James Turrell framed skylight.

 

[schneeland]

It's probably a giant iPhone that will extend from the ground during the show - the new iPhone Ultra Max!

 

[svish]

Looks nice. Waiting to see more photos.

 

[Harry Haller]

I'm of the mind that most modern architecture lacks charm.

I'm all for clean lines and all but most modern spaces look cold and uninviting.

I prefer old designs applied with a modern sensibility; all this Apple/Jetsons stuff has not and will not age well in my mind at least.

The sterility is from the total lack of decorative items.
It's the epitome of a design vacuum and aesthetic emptiness.