Soft fabric instead of cold plastic materials
Having occupied a building in San Bruno, California, that previously housed the Gap’s headquarters , YouTube quickly found that its lobby was in dire need of an update. Functionally, the existing space was congested, and poor acoustics made it feel loud and chaotic. But equally important, the entrance to such an important tech company felt plain and didn’t reflect the creativity behind the platform nor its nearly 2 billion user base. For visitors, the lobby would likely be the only part of the company that they would be granted access to, and the experience had been perceived by many as anticlimactic.
A series of visioning sessions with project stakeholders led to design principles that would dictate the outcome of the new lobby. First, create a striking experience, something memorable that would inspire visitors and mark their arrival at the company headquarters. Second, integrate iconic and share worthy branding to encourage user interaction with social media. Third, incorporate multipurpose functionality and optimal flow, so that the space could be used for events as well as for day-to-day work activities. Finally, provide a canvas for creators, where visiting Youtubers could display their work at a grand scale.
901 Cherry’s double-height atrium is now stripped down to its metallic structure, intersected by a long skylight that runs the length of the space. Upon entry, visitors are greeted with a floor-to-ceiling digital installation on the southern wall, neatly tucked between the building’s steel structure. The LEDs that light the panels are broadly spaced and lined with soft acoustic fabric that is set a few inches in front of the screen so that the material catches the light as large circles. Rather than adding a cutting-edge screen to display content, the installation is treated as an art piece, an abstraction of a screen that celebrates individual pixels. Instead of the cold plastic materials typically used in technological products, the soft fabric feels inviting and warm to the touch.
The opposite side of the space is lined with pockets of green wall, stacked wooden benches, and high table seating. Adding elements of biophilia not only supports employee wellness but also complements the natural wooden textures that contribute to an inviting atmosphere. Amidst the leaves of the green wall hang the glass cases of YouTube’s “Artifact Museum,” which displays memorabilia donated by famous YouTubers. The reception desk occupies the center of the room, backed by a black glossy logo mark that reflects the YouTube icon displayed on the digital wall across the way.
A series of floor “medallions” are spread throughout the lobby, encouraging visitors to interact with the digital installation. Each medallion bears a graphic that describes one of YouTube’s core values. Stepping on a medallion triggers a reaction on the digital wall. Activating multiple medallions in different combinations gets different responses, inviting visitors to work together on learn how the medallions function. Much like YouTube’s online platform, the lobby is designed to encourage creativity, exploration, and discovery, all while celebrating the company’s content creators and employees alike.
