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

[SactoGuy18]

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

Given we haven't had any drone flyovers over Apple Park in many years, I didn't even know they built that place!

 

[yustas]

How did Pixel 9 XL become part of Apple's park?

 

[citysnaps]

In a word, beautiful!

 

[dennis089muc]

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

Wooden ceilings do too apparently 😫

 

[tennisproha]

apple park is open to the public?

 

[wonderings]

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

Looks like pretty tall ceilings, 15ft maybe? Guessing it feels very spacious when actually inside.

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.

I agree. That is modern architecture which I find cool looking in a picture but in reality cold and lifeless. I liked it when I was in my 20's but in my 40's now I much prefer more classic architecture with natural materials that is warm and inviting.

 

[pdoherty]

Was gonna say this looks like something from Silo.

It looks like the observation area from the Jurassic World Dominion

 

[P K]

I really wish the Dezeen author pointed out that the antechamber with the oculus looks like a direct homage to "Three Gems" by James Turrell, a site-specific room/sculpture at San Francisco's own de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park. Turrell's works are really cool, and this one in particular is wonderful and I encourage folks to check it out if they ever visit the city.

More information here: https://www.njinla.com/blog/three-gems-skyspace-james-turrell-san-francisco

James Turrell’s Three Gems — CAITLIN BRADY

Experience the color, texture, and form of James Turrell’s Three Gems.

www.caitlin-brady.com

This ‘Skyspace’ Is One Of The Most Intriguing Sculptures In SF

This renowned sculpture is free to visit and feels like a mix between a secret garden, labyrinth, and futuristic meditation chamber.

secretsanfrancisco.com

 

[crsh1976]

So it's an Apple Store where they replaced the tables with cool-looking but uncomfortable couches, oh and there are some random potted trees for no reason.

/s because it's needed around here

 

[cjsuk]

I agree. That is modern architecture which I find cool looking in a picture but in reality cold and lifeless. I liked it when I was in my 20's but in my 40's now I much prefer more classic architecture with natural materials that is warm and inviting.

I think it's worse than that. Some modern architecture, particularly some brutalist pieces are warmer than this Apple thing. But I agree with classic architecture. I recently stayed in Valletta which is a completely crazy three-dimensional city. It felt so so so human.

Compare a soulless gutted shell done up like an Apple store with some trees kept prisoner and some objects to sit on that may or may not be chairs. No thanks!

 

[Rogue AI]

Something most of us will never see in person. BFD.

 

[morphineseason]

I wish they'd bring back in-person keynotes. The pre-recorded presentations just lack the warm authenticity that the in-person keynotes had.

 

[goodthymes]

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

This, to me summerizes Tim's tenure at Apple.

 

[9081094]

Nice all those architectural designs. I hope Apple won’t forget designing hardware. Those need a refresh badly 😎

 

[Populus]

I’d really love to visit Apple Park someday… but traveling to California (and housing) from Europe must be really expensive.

 

[Brien]

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.

And the irony is that once you leave the Apple bubble the neighborhood isn't even that new or fancy. It's like a 99 Ranch and a bunch of 1500 sq. ft. homes from the 70s (which are all probably 2Mil, because CA, but still)...

 

[ProbablyDylan]

I wish they'd bring back in-person keynotes. The pre-recorded presentations just lack the warm authenticity that the in-person keynotes had.

Same. I find the pacing of in-person events is often better too. With these pre-recorded events, it feels like you'll blink and miss something huge.

 

[oldwatery]

No soul or originality. Tims Apple in a cement nutshell.

 

[canadianreader]

High tech medical clinic or spa waiting room. Lacking warmth and comfort.

 

[lfaa]

"The Observatory builds on Apple's commitment to sustainability and biodiversity", says De Maio. lol

 

[zorinlynx]

It seems like all the places Apple lets the public visit are outside the actual ring. They want to keep the ring, which everyone probably would love to visit, all to themselves and built whole "outbuildings" just for visitors.

Silly Apple.

 

[needsomecoffee]

"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,"

As the Press and Consumers SLOWLY become aware about the effects Apple's designed-to-be-disposable shareholder value maximization strategy affects Mother Earth... we get more Greenwashing.

Love it. Nothing Tim Apple & Lisa love more than a new building focused on "... the natural environment".

Maybe Tim& Lisa should visit some of the "natural environments" where the base materials for the iPhone are made in China. Pretty horrible, but hey... Apple's got a new Obs building.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

This is very Teletubbies

 

[ouruniverse06131986]

So no more in Person events like before. I like it way better this way.

 

[dampfnudel]

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

And charge us accordingly.