Jony Ive Talks Apple Park, Scoffs at Claim of New Campus Contributing to Local Tree Shortage

[MacRumors]

WSJ. Magazine has shared a lengthy interview with Apple design chief Jony Ive about Apple Park, the company's new headquarters in Cupertino, California, revealing a few new anecdotes about the all-new campus and the exhaustive architectural process that has gone into constructing it.

Ive, for instance, reportedly scoffed at a recent article claiming Apple Park has contributed to a tree shortage in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Ive takes offense at the idea that he hasn't already thought of every detail during the years of planning Apple Park. He scoffs at an article claiming that Apple contributed to a tree shortage in the Bay Area by buying up so many plants for the campus, "as if we'd got to the end of our project and we thought, Oh, we'd better plant some trees." Apple began working with an arborist years ago to source trees, including varieties that once made up the bountiful orchards of Silicon Valley; more than 9,000, many of them drought-resistant, will have been planted by the time the campus is finished.

The report also mentions that Ive's design team will be among the last to move into the new headquarters this fall. Employees began moving over from Apple's existing Infinite Loop campus in April, and when the transition is completed, the spaceship-like campus will reportedly house some 12,000 workers.

Apple Park's fourth floor is where the company's executives will be situated, including Ive's design studio, along with the Apple Watch team and part of the group working on Siri, according to the report. Apple's Mac and iPad divisions will be interspersed with software teams on the middle levels, it adds.

Apple Park has open workspaces with desks that can be raised to standing level at the push of a button (Image: WSJ)​

Apple Park's main cafeteria, which will reportedly serve some 14,000 lunches a day, is a four-level atrium with massive 440,000-pound glass doors. Apple employees have to pay for food, but at a somewhat subsidized rate, the report said. For perspective, some tech companies like Google offer entirely free meals.

Outside, the green space within Apple Park's inner circle will play host to Apple's iconic "beer bashes" on Friday afternoons, which often include featured performances. Here, more than 9,000 trees, many of them drought-resistant, will supposedly have been planted by the time the campus is finished.

Some of the trees will be regularly harvested to provide fruit for the campus kitchen, according to the report.

WSJ. Magazine's complete interview is a worthwhile read for those interested in learning more about Apple Park. A handful of drone operators have also been filming monthly videos that provide a closer look at the new headquarters and its surrounding facilities throughout the construction phase.

Article Link: Jony Ive Talks Apple Park, Scoffs at Claim of New Campus Contributing to Local Tree Shortage

 

[rpat701]

What he forgot to mention is that Apple built this facility so that employees like it better than their home and have more amenities there so they can work longer hours. Just sayin' - that's why companies build campuses like this.

 

[dilbert99]

I was beginning to think that Jony no longer worked at Apple

 

[69Mustang]

Jony Ive is definitely not a member of Dollar Shave Club. That is all.

 

[scwinsett]

Jony Ive scoffs at claim that using up all the trees causes there to be fewer available trees for others.

 

[MacRetina]

Tim Cook promised Trump 3 big big big plants for the United States. What tree shortage?

 

[RickInHouston]

I guess bright accent colors are going to be brought in with the use of throw pillows?

Dreary.

 

[Boatboy24]

I guess bright accent colors are going to be brought in with the use of throw pillows?

Dreary.

"Tech Sweat Shop" was my first though.

 

[Cronowerx]

Ive’s taking over the world, man. He already designs all of Apple’s and Samsung’s phones.

 

[Kobayagi]

This building looks great already, I love the modern style. Really want to vist one time.

 

[newyorksole]

Holy crap the inside of the building is beautiful. Absolutely need to go on a tour.

 

[shk718]

I hope they open it up to tours - could be fun to see it.

 

[jonnyb]

What he forgot to mention is that Apple built this facility so that employees like it better than their home and have more amenities there so they can work longer hours. Just sayin' - that's why companies build campuses like this.

Yes, they should have moved Apple to a rusty old shed instead so that they can continue to make their products in a more conducive environment.

 

[schmidt65]

when the transition is completed, the spaceship-like campus will reportedly house some 12,000 workers.

Apple Park's main cafeteria, which will reportedly serve some 14,000 lunches a day

12,000 workers...14,000 lunches, who's having more than one lunch?!

 

[ghostface147]

Damn paywall

 

[d5aqoëp]

After repeating the same design for 3 years (and possibly the 4th year iPhone 7S), can we have some real new design change?

Right now, Galaxy S8 eats any iPhone.... fresh, raw and alive!

 

[Mjmar]

Open work spaces suck

 

[rpmurray]

“as if we’d got to three years after the last Mac Pro was released and we thought, Oh, we’d better start working on a new design.”

 

[8692574]

12,000 workers...14,000 lunches, who's having more than one lunch?!

I think you can definetly count Philip W. Schiller as one of them, he has been "growing", he definetly need the "Thinning threatment" from Ive!

 

[meaning-matters]

I visited Bloomberg London during construction and was in awe: https://www.bloomberg.com/company/london/ Apple office looks pale; too minimalistic.

Same architect.

 

[blackcrayon]

Aww come on, Apple could give their workers lunch for free !

Too bad Steve isn't there to "pay" for lunches for other coworkers deducted from his $1 salary

 

[Gorms]

But what about the barn????????

 

[elev8d]

Seems not even apple keeps up on the work place psychology research which has shown time and time again that open workspaces actually increase employee anxiety and reduce productivity.

Apple Park has open workspaces with desks that can be raised to standing level at the push of a button (Image: WSJ)​

Article Link: Jony Ive Talks Apple Park, Scoffs at Claim of New Campus Contributing to Local Tree Shortage

 

[newyorksole]

I've visited the Bloomberg office during construction and was in awe: https://www.bloomberg.com/company/london/ The Apple office pictures above look rather pale in comparison to be honest; too minimalistic.

Same architect.

Ehh honestly it's kind of messy. A lot going on. The entrance / front desk area is cool and being able to be on one level and look right below and see another, but other than that... I'd rather be at Apple Park.

 

[itsamacthing]

I wonder if Apple employees will actually be able to keep anything on their desk?