Source:
https://scmp.com/tech/enterprises/article/2134804/look-inside-googles-new-campus-outside-silicon-valley
Tech/ Enterprises

A look inside Google’s new campus outside Silicon Valley

The internet giant, which marks its 20th anniversary this year, continues to provide its workforce with plenty of perks, including pool tables, pinball machines, a library with easy chairs and a pizza oven at the cafeteria

The internet giant, which marks its 20th anniversary this year, continues to provide its workforce with plenty of perks, including pool tables, pinball machines, a library with easy chairs and a pizza oven at the cafeteria.

A new campus set up by Google in scenic Boulder, Colorado, piles on the perks for employees that have been part of the culture for technology companies from California’s Silicon Valley.

The US$131-million facility composed of two buildings opened in December last year.

It serves as an engineering hub for Google, a subsidiary of Nasdaq-listed technology conglomerate Alphabet, and drives the innovation in products such as Google Drive, Google Maps, Google Now and Payments.

“In a city full of scientists and engineers, our downtown Boulder location has no shortage of options for exercising your curiosity and creativity,” the Google campus website said.

“Great lovers of the outdoors, we grow produce in our on-site garden and practise our moves on a two-storey indoor climbing wall.”

Other flourishes include pinball machines, pool tables, a library with easy chairs and a pizza oven in the cafeteria, a Bloomberg report said.

There are also massage rooms, an outdoor dog run, an indoor fire pit, two coffee bars and a tavern with beer on tap for the staff, according to The Denver Post.

Google, which marks its 20th anniversary this year, has more than 800 employees in Boulder, which could expand to 1,500 workers as a third building is added to the campus.

An employee works on a laptop computer as the Flatirons mountain range is seen out a window at the new Google campus in Boulder, Colorado. Photo: Bloomberg
An employee works on a laptop computer as the Flatirons mountain range is seen out a window at the new Google campus in Boulder, Colorado. Photo: Bloomberg
An employee walks through the new Google campus. Photo: Bloomberg
An employee walks through the new Google campus. Photo: Bloomberg
An interactive touch screen stands in the lobby of the new Google campus in Boulder, Colorado, where the company has moved Google more than 800 employees. Photo: Bloomberg
An interactive touch screen stands in the lobby of the new Google campus in Boulder, Colorado, where the company has moved Google more than 800 employees. Photo: Bloomberg
An employee works on a laptop computer at an open work space in Google’s new campus. Photo: Bloomberg
An employee works on a laptop computer at an open work space in Google’s new campus. Photo: Bloomberg
An employee works near a fireplace at the new Google facility. Photo: Bloomberg
An employee works near a fireplace at the new Google facility. Photo: Bloomberg
Furniture and a fireplace sit in an open work space at the Google campus. Photo: Bloomberg
Furniture and a fireplace sit in an open work space at the Google campus. Photo: Bloomberg
A rock climbing wall stands at the new Google campus. Photo: Bloomberg
A rock climbing wall stands at the new Google campus. Photo: Bloomberg
An employee works out in the gym of the new Google campus. Photo: Bloomberg
An employee works out in the gym of the new Google campus. Photo: Bloomberg
An employee plays a pinball machine at the Google campus. Photo: Bloomberg
An employee plays a pinball machine at the Google campus. Photo: Bloomberg
A shuffle board is set up at the new Google facility. Photo: Bloomberg
A shuffle board is set up at the new Google facility. Photo: Bloomberg
A row of oars that leads to a secret conference room at the new Google campus. Photo: Bloomberg
A row of oars that leads to a secret conference room at the new Google campus. Photo: Bloomberg
A recreational vehicle-themed meeting area stands at the new Google facility. Photo: Bloomberg
A recreational vehicle-themed meeting area stands at the new Google facility. Photo: Bloomberg
Counter seats inside the recreational vehicle-themed meeting area at the Google campus. Photo: Bloomberg
Counter seats inside the recreational vehicle-themed meeting area at the Google campus. Photo: Bloomberg
Employees walk through the new Google campus’ cafeteria. Photo: Bloomberg
Employees walk through the new Google campus’ cafeteria. Photo: Bloomberg
A pizza oven stands in the cafeteria of the Google campus. Photo: Bloomberg
A pizza oven stands in the cafeteria of the Google campus. Photo: Bloomberg