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Art Analysis

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Art Analysis

Cupertino, California is home to many artworks including Apple Park, the corporate

headquarters of Apple Inc. The structure was opened to its employees in 2017 while construction

was not fully complete. It took eight years for the facility to be fully completed and earned the

nickname “the spaceship”. It hosts more than 12,000 employees and the idea of Steve Jobs,

Apple co-founder was to make the structure look more of a nature refuge than a business park.

As a result, approximately 80% of the facility has drought-resistant trees and indigenous plants,

allowing it to fit into a nature refuge (appleinsider, 2022). The courtyard of the main building

also has an artificial pond to add the natural essence.

Just like any other form of art, Apple Park is a hub of creativity that reflects on the future

of the company with unique designs and special features. Describing the facility like a drawing,

or a piece of mosaic art, the facility receives much scrutiny ranging from the materials used in

the construction to the flexibility of the building. The facility looks sufficiently configurable and

it is possible to rapidly create open spaces or can be configured for smaller private offices. The

architectural brains behind this artwork ensured that the building can change and evolve in the

future. The building is shaped like a huge flying saucer, with Apple calling the main facility The

Ring. It has rounded glass panels that connect from top to bottom of the four-story building

(appleinsider, 2022). Some panels serve as sliding doors that allow for a clear view of the

interior when the weather is conducive enough.

To be free from earthquakes, The Ring adopts a base isolation system with 692 huge steel

saucers that are two stories underground. The system was enhanced to protect the building from

all forms of earthquakes, including the most severe. The ring also boasts natural ventilation

making it the most natural aerated building in the world because it does not require heating or
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cooling for nine months within a year. The finishing details of the facility make it a great piece

of artwork with the scrutiny that can only be dreamed of by most designers. It reveals vast

innovation and expertise, making it one of the most phenomenal structures in the world. The

design of the structure hides parking spaces and roads making it look seamless, with no gaps and

clean for a clean view.

The structure does not only hold the offices of Apple Inc employees but also has cafes, an

auditorium, a wellness center, a research and development facility, care clinics, and an Apple

Park Visitor Center. The extravagance of the building raised so many questions that can only be

answered by the designers. This is the same in all artworks as the deeper details of a piece of art

can only be described by the artist (Underwood & Worley, 2017). The idea behind the building

was to not only host employees but also make it a marvel where visitors could visit to conduct

research or take traveling keynotes. Because of the top-notch features, the building emerged the

winners, taking home the Structural Artistry Award, 2018. Drawing inspiration from the

company’s endeavors, the building was constructed in an eco-friendly design and considered the

employees’ welfare.

To get a formal analysis of the building, we rely on the elements and principles adopted

by designers and use the visual approach to consider it a magnificent piece of work. Unlike many

buildings that are built using concrete and stones, Apple Park is majorly built using aluminum

and glass panels (Underwood & Worley, 2017). The design is circular and these glasses are

extremely durable and curved in a way that fits the contours of the round structure. According to

the engineers, the circular shape of the facility enables smooth internal circulations, creating a

healthy environment within the building.

In many forms of artwork, the artists always have a goal, or a message conveyed through
their pieces of work. According to Apple, living in a healthy environment is key to better health.
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As a result, the facility was committed to combating climate change by adopting 100% clean
energy production. The building is powered by renewable energy from various sources and has a
17-megawatt rooftop solar energy power supply. When there is low occupancy in the building, it
gives back clean energy to the community (appleinsider, 2022). From the features equipped in
the building, we can learn that art comes in many forms, and in modern society, through
advancements in technology, it is not just about paintings or sculptures. It is evident that
buildings or megastructures are also representing art, and Apple Park is a perfect example.
Conclusively, Apple Park is one great piece of art with scrutiny like other pieces of work.
Almost every part of the building can be scrutinized and can present literal narratives to anyone
conducting visual analysis. It is important to note that art does not only come in form of
paintings, drawings, and sculptures but can also be presented in form of structures. Apple Park
has considered sustainability and has a meaning to visitors who physically present themselves to
the facility or look at it from pictures or videos.
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References

appleinsider. (2022). Apple Park | Design, History, Layout. AppleInsider.

https://appleinsider.com/inside/apple-park

Underwood, G., & Worley, J. (2017). Apple Park Precast – Integrated Architecture, Structure,

and Mechanical Services in a Long Span Floor System.

https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.seaoc.org/resource/resmgr/Convention_Proceedings/

2017/038_PAPER_Underwood.pdf