New plans for Google’s London headquarters have just been submitted.
Plans for the new London HQ were originally announced in January 2013, after a long, thin plot of land behind King’s Cross train station in central London was identified as the future site of what is now being called “a landscraper.”
The original intention was for Google to move into the $1 billion building by 2016; In September 2013, proposed designs by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris were submitted. In the months that followed there was no building activity, leading Google to announce their deadline had been pushed back by a year to 2017. Eventually, there was no longer an official completion date for the Google London headquarters and it emerged that plans for the structure had been scrapped entirely.
Heatherwick Studios and Bjarke Ingels Group collaborated in drawing up the new plans which – interestingly, bear a striking resemblance to the original ones! Despite the new plans being submitted, there’s been little to no activity at the location. Due to the continued stall on the construction of the Google London headquarters, the company has taken up residency in an existing building nearby. This means that once the original building is completed, the headquarters complex will comprise of three buildings in the same general area.
On completion, Google London’s “landscraper” will comprise around 1 million square feet. The 11-floor building is set to be one of the tech company’s largest bases worldwide, with the capacity to accommodate 7,000 employees.
According to Heatherwick Studio’s press release, the building will have a natural theme, with the roof resembling a small park. It will also reportedly have rooftop solar panels, motorized timber blinds, space for 686 bicycles, and mere four storey car park.
Founder of Heatherwick Studio and joint designer of the new building, Thomas Heatherwick explained, “As my home and the home of my studio for more than 15 years, I have a close relationship with King’s Cross. The area is a fascinating collision of diverse building types and spaces and I can’t help but love this mix of massive railway stations, roads, canals and other infrastructure all layered up into the most connected point in London.”
Apart from their eco-friendly features, the buildings will boast a long list of amenities for Google employees, such as a swimming pool, a running track, and additional exercise facilities.
It has been an arduous journey so far for Google London, but the project is now progressing and its future has Google CEO Sundar Pichai optimistic.“We see big opportunities here. This is a big commitment from us — we have some of the best talent in the world in the UK and to be able to build great products from here sets us up well for the long term,” said Pichai.
Pics © Heatherwick.