Case study

Googleplex – A new campus community

Location : Silicon valley, California

Architect: Clive Wilkinson
Area : 1,80,000 S F
Year : 2005
Program : Office, Atrium,
Cafe,Recreational, Gym
SITE
The first step was to analyze their existing Mountain View California campus, which Google had inherited from Silicone
Graphics in 2003. This required an analytical study of existing site conditions and opportunities of connecting the 4 buildings
into one community. We looked for opportunities in the existing landscaping, hardscape, connectivity of the campus, division
of outdoor activities (3 unique environments) and any inside/outside connections.

CONCEPT
A primary vision was to merge the idea of
workplace with the experiences found in an
educational environment into a new way of
working and maintenance of an edge. The
reasoning for this was the idea that within the
loosely structured university system, there are
resources available to allow the individual to
conceive, investigate, and execute the
impossible and that is how Google was
originally conceived.
The result of providing an environmental
backbone support for the combination of
independent study, along with the opportunity
for community accomplishment offers the best
of all possibilities: one which satisfies the needs
of the individual as well as the collective, and
results in the success of both.
TYPES OF ZONES
The concept was continued through the design of 13 individual environments, which re-created environments, usually found on a
college campus, and were systematically integrated into the overall design of each building by the use of a hot and cold diagram:
Hot areas being more public and active zones, while cold being more secluded and private. These zones were defined by location
along the primary and secondary circulation corridors.
Our focus then moved to developing the 180,000 Sq. Ft. Building 43, which started, as did the master plan, with a pragmatic
analysis of the existing structure and its opportunities and limitations. Building 43, like the other 3 buildings on the campus, is
a two story steel structure, above an underground parking garage, with floor to ceiling glass at the perimeter. In addition, at
the second floor, there were clerestory windows as well as an interior court garden.

We studied the required, “head down” work styles which ranged from individual open cubicles to closed, team oriented, work
environments, much like engineers used for research at Stanford. Since these teams were critical to Google’s success, they
selected the area along the windows for their location, in a traditional hierarchical way. To bring more democracy to the
environment, we suggested the use of colored glass to enclose all these team “offices”. That way, the light and outside view
could come into the interior, but the teams would be afforded the privacy they needed and the identity of color. The sound
absorption, artificial lighting, and air conditioning was provided through a custom ceiling made of upholstered acoustic fabric
INTERIOR
Types of Offices: (approximate)
40 Open - (40%)
60 Enclosed - (52%)
15 Meeting Rooms (13%)

PRIVACY
The enclosed and open offices are share with 2 or four
individuals. This workspace design promotes high
collaborative work based on team.
Huddle Room
Along the linear circular path illustrated in light orange
on the floor plan, the spaces transit from private to Open Office
public with semi-private and semi-public threshold
along the path. As result, there is balance of privacy
and communication opportunities with in the space.
Regardless where an employee is situated within the
space, they are in close proximity to the different
choice of privacy principles. Within the open space area , the employees
also have the choice to a open private corner for
quick rejuvenation.
COLLABORATION ZONE
The distributed model strategy is mostly used
within the design of the space to create an
environment of learning and high collaborative Shielded
work.
The various workspace designated for different Enclosed
type of activities is separated by the three main Open
boundaries : open, enclosed and shielded.

Tinted glass
Face-to-face conversation and confidential Spaces for focus and concentration
content-sharing are optimized in the retain a sense of energy through
The glass color identifies the enclosed huddle room adjacent to an open proximity and transparency to
various teams and its huddle area. colleagues.
transparent characteristics keeps
everyone connected visually.

Certain teams are to critical to Google’s success, they selected the area along the windows for their location, in a traditional hierarchical
way. To bring more democracy to the environment, the colored glass is used to enclose all these team “offices”. The light and outside view
could come into the interior, but the teams would be afforded the privacy they needed and the identity of color.
COLLISION ZONE
Collision zones create interaction and chance encounters among
employees. During those brief encounters, employees can share
knowledge and information resulting to increase in ideation. The
design is based on the concept of the “city as a paradigm” where one
main street (circulation path) connects the entire space. However, at
various interaction people cross path and strikes conversations -
collision zones..

CONCLUSION
The Googleplex office design creates a constant visual connection
among the employees, yet separated acoustically . The design fosters
strong collaboration rhythms where individuals can meet for
collaborative work and easily branch of to refine ideas in private
spaces. Cross-pollination and group efficiency are essential to the
increase in performance at Googleplex; and, the space planning
responds to that need - balanced open /closed offices and assigned
seats.
BUILDING REGULATIONS
PLANNING PARAMATERS FOR NON HIGH RISE BUILDING UPTO 18.3M

Minimum road width 9m

Maximum height of the building 18.3m

Premium FSI
Allowable FSI 2
ROAD WIDTH PREMIUM FSI
Plot coverage 40% (% of normally allowable FSI)

Minimum front setback 4.5m

15m and above 40%
Minimum side setback 3m

Minimum rear setback 3m

The distance between one block and the other block of a building upto
18.3m height is 6m

In the event of more than one block with varying height in a site, the
setback of each block shall be regulated in accordance with the height
of the building.
 STRUCTURES IN THE SETBACK SPACES

a) In cases of Non High Rise buildings.— (i) Sun-shades not exceeding 0,6m.

b) (ii) Motor room of area not exceeding 2 sq.m. each and height not exceeding 1.8m, without affecting
parking and driveway requirements.

c) (iii) In case of Non High Rise Buildings with height upto 9.0m, open single flight or spiral staircase or
open double flight staircase so long as such structure do not fall within 0.50 m from the side boundary
or 1m. from the rear or front boundary of the site or street alignment.

d) (iv) A compound wall of height not exceeding 2.0m

e) (v) Watchman booth not exceeding 2.5m.x 2.5m. in size at each gate and height not exceeding 3m.

f) (vi) Gate pillars without or with arches with a min. headroom clearance of 5.50m available atleast to a
width of 3.5m.

g) (vii) Meter Rooms for meter boxes or electrical panels along the boundary wall or external walls of the
building with the projections not exceeding 0.60 meter from the abutting walls and the open
Transformer without affecting parking and drive way, subject to the safety measures stipulated by Tamil
Nadu Electricity
 PARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR IT, IT ENABLED SERVICES, BIO INFORMATICS CENTRES

1 Car space for every 50sq.m area and 1 two wheeler space for every 25sq.m of floor
area.

BASEMENT FLOOR PARKING SPACE FOR VEHICLES

The height of basement floor shall not exceed 1.2 metres above ground
level and the headroom shall be minimum 2.4 metres. Four
wheeler 2.5 m x 5m
No part of the basement shall be constructed in the minimum required
set back spaces, required for the movement of fire fighting vehicles or Motor cycle/
equipments. Bicycle 1m x 2m

In cases where second basement is proposed for parking and incidental

uses, sufficient provision for lighting and ventilation and also for
protection from fire to the satisfaction of Directorate of Fire and Rescue
Services shall be made.
 SANITATION REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMERCIAL
STAIRCASE REQUIREMENTS
OFFICES

One for every 25 persons or part thereof, Minimum width of the staircase – 1.5m
Water closet
exceeding 15 (including employees and
customers). For female personnel 1 for every 15 Minimum width of the thead - 300mm
persons or part thereof, exceeding 10.
Minimum width of the riser - 150mm
Drinking Water One for every 100 persons with a minimum of
one on each floor. Minimum clear headroom - 2.2m

Headroom in a passage under a staircase is 2.2m

Wash Basin One for every 25 persons or part thereof.
CORRIDOR REQUIREMENTS
Nil up to 6 persons
1 for 7-20 persons
Minimum corridor width of an Commercial
2 for 21-45 persons buildings such as private offices is 2 m
Urinals 3 for 40-70 persons
4 for 71-100 persons FIRE EXIT
From 101 to 200 add at the rate of 3%;
For over 200 persons add at the rate of 2.5%. Fire exit should be at every 30m of floor area.
 Water Supply for Buildings Other than Residences
Type of Building Domestic Per Day Flushing Per Day
litre litre
Offices
(including
Canteen) 25 /head 20/head
Rainwater harvesting methods
Non High Rise Buildings more than 12m height and upto
18.3m heighrand Industries and Institutional Buildings
In case of Non High Rise developments, Industries,
Institutional Buildings as mentioned in all the above cases,
rooftop water can be diverted to a sump for immediate
use (if that is relevant), through a first flush cum pebble-
sand filter combination or a Special filter that is available
in the market and the overflow to be diverted to either a
dug (source) well or a recharge well depending on the
availability of a source well. Depending on the need and
relevance any combination of the above methods can be
chosen.
Total
Consumption Per
Day litre
45/head
In the above mentioned categories, rain falling on the setback areas as
well as some of the rooftops will flow on the driveway itself and runoff
to the streets and get wasted. This runoff should be intercepted by
means of a bump/speed breaker arrangement constructed in one or
more locations within the premises and discharged into suitably
designed recharge well (s) located nearby
Rain falling on the setback areas as well as some of the rooftops will
flow into the storm drains constructed along the periphery of the
building, whose slope will always be towards the gate(s) in order to
discharge the runoff onto the street. This flow within the drain can be
intercepted inside the drain by a baffle wall and injected into several
recharge wells located close to the drain.
STANDARDS – OFFICE
RECEPTION AREA
VISTORS LOUNGE AREA
GENERAL OFFICES AND MULTIPLE WORKSTATIONS

Basic U shaped workstations

Basic workstation with visitor seating

AREA REQUIREMENTS FOR DIFFERENT
WORKSTATION
AREA OF MULTIPLE WORKSTATIONS

Multiple workstations can result in efficient utilization of space and sharing of computers and equipment.
 Floating or free-standing workstations fend to utilize more floor
area than workstations piaced against a wall or sharing the same
wall panel. Clustering of workstations will ultimately result In the use
of less floor area, but at the expenseof major ergonomic
considerations. Decisions relative to both acoustical privacy and
personal space are often sacrificed in the name of economy.
Multiple workstations can result in effi-cient utilization of space and
sharing of expensive computer terminals and equip-ment. If use of
computer terminals is inten-sive, individual CRTs should be provided.
Figures 5, 6, and 7 each show eight worksta-tions. vet the setups
range in area from 448 to 1012 ft2. Furniture size, function, and
ergonomic considerations all affect setup.
ELECTRONIC WORKSTATIONS - ANTHROPOMETRY

Both the work surface and the display monitors

must be lowered and raised as a unk with 31.8 cm
of travel.

The wotk surface must raise to a horh zontal

height of 104 cm, accommodating majority of
people in a position

The monitor screens must be likable to any

position between 15° forward of vertical and 15°
back.

The workstation must be compact and relatively

easy to move through a standard 81-cm doorway.

Screen depth of view Must allow alpha-numeric

characters to be viewed at an angle between 20
and 28 arc minutes.
 CONFERENCE ROOM/ MEETING ROOM

Consideration must be given to

clearances and circulation around the
larger conference table, as indicated.

A mini-mum of 48 in, or 121.9 cm, is

suggested from the edge of the table to
the wall or nearest obstruction.

This dimension under ordinary

circumstance allows for a circulation
zone beyond the sitting zone of 30 to 36
in, or 76.2 to 91.4 cm, based upon a
maximum body breadth measurement
of the larger person.

The greater dimension is recommended

to allow for the chair in a pulled-out
position.

. The larger dimension is more

appropriate to accommodate people of
larger body size and to allow for a more
generous work zone for each person.
CONFERENCE TABLE OF DIFFERENT
SIZES & AREA REQUIRED
TABLE ARRANGEMENTS
 WORKPLACE LAYOUT

Workplace layout Items which are frequently used during the

working day should be put in the preferred places where they
are visible and reachable -4 0 - 0.

There should be a free movement area of at Wit 1.5 m2 at the

workstation.

Furniture; This should enable the defined working posture -

upper arm and elbow vertical at an angle of approx. 90° and
thigh and lower leg vertical at an angle of 90° -> 0.

To achieve the correct posture for people of different heights,

table and chair sizes must be adjustable.

Two ergonomically equally valuable possibilities are:

A: workstation type 1, desk at variable height 60-78 cm chair
at variable height 42-54 cm
B: workstation type 2, type 3, desk of fixed height 72 cm chair
of variable height 42-50 cm footstool of variable height 00-15
cm.

There should be sufficient legroom -e 0.

The desktop working area should be at least 120 x 80 cm (few

documents, predominantly screen work; for specialist
employees, at least 200 x 80 cm)
STAIRCASE STANDARDS
LIFT STANDARDS
 FIRE ESCAPE

Residential or commercial units with at least one occupied

room must have at least two independent escape routes
leading to the open air on each storey. If the units are not at
ground level, the first escape route must be via a legally
essential staircase, if required in its own stairwell.

From every location in an occupied room, there must be

within max. 35 m at least one exit into a legally essential
stairwell or into the open air

The material and construction of legally essential staircases and

the location, construction, surfaces and openings of legally
essential stairwells are subject to special fire protection
requirements. For legally essential corridors, through which the
escape routes from occupied rooms or units lead to legally
essential stairwells or to the open air, there are also particular
fire protection requirements.
PARKING REQUIREMENTS
SITE ANALYSIS
AMMAPET, SALEM
Address - Cuddalore Main Rd, Kamarajar Nagar
Colony, Ammapet, Salem, Tamil Nadu 636014

Geographic coordinates : 11.7345° N,

78.2020° E

Elevation/altitude : 288 m above sea level

Area : 124780.6 sq.m

(30.83 acres)

There is an existing defunct co-operative spinning mill

inside the site.
SALEM
LANDUSE MAP
 ATERIAL ROAD

Thathampatty road.
the road width is 7.5m

The road in the left side of SITE

the site is not named.
The road width is 5.5m

Cuddalore main road.

The road width is 15m

The site is surrounded by roads on three sides .The main road (cuddalore road) directly connects to the salem-thirupattur-vaniyambadi road and
ammapet bypass road.
PROXIMITY TO

TRANSPORT HUBS:
Near by Bus stops/ Bus stations

Ayothiyapattinam bus stop – 9min (3.8km)

Salem bus stop - 17min (6.1km)
Seelanaickenpatti bus stop – 20 mins (14km)
Ammapet colony bus stop - 2 mins (1.5 km)
Salem town bus terminus - 15 mins (5.6 km)
Salem new bus stand - 24 mins (9.6km)