Apple Park, the new global headquarters for the tech giant, opened its doors for employees in April 2017. This was eight years after the architect Foster + Partners was chosen to take on the project. The work is still ongoing, particularly in terms of the park and ancillary buildings, but things are up and running in the main ring-shaped structure.

As one of the most eagerly anticipated pieces of commercial architecture created in recent years Apple Park has naturally been the focus of numerous reviews. Surprisingly one published by Wired was very scathing, criticising the design and the perceived lack of consideration of the surroundings.

One of the most negative points of the review is down to the circular shape of the building. It claims this offers little opportunity for expansion or adaptation in the future. As a result this could cause a lot of problems if Apple decides to move out further down the line, potentially limiting redevelopment and options for new usage.

A lot could change in the coming months. Apple is hoping to have all 12,000 employees operating from the site by September 2017. By this time all of the landscaping should be finished too. This could make the building sit much better in the area. The negative review provides a lot of food for thought, particularly in regards to how buildings should consider their surroundings and think about the future.

Commercial architecture is a field we have a lot of passion for at Coffey Architects. We love creating working environments that meet the needs of clients and inhabitants. Whether it is a completely new build or a renovation of an existing property, we have the skills and knowledge to get the design right.

Whenever we create a design we always consider things like how the environment will fit into a larger setting. We also consider the future wherever possible, ensuring that buildings have better longevity.