Google’s New L.A. Office Sits Within A Historic Timber Hangar

Google’s offices from across the world are a great source of inspiration from every point of view, placing a lot of attention of historical significance and wholesome user experience. One of the latest additions is Google’s L.A. office which was built inside the Spruce Goose Hangar, a 7-story high, 750 square foot timber structure with great historical significance.

The Google Spruce Goose is located in Playa Vista near LAX airport, in Los Angeles
The Google Spruce Goose is located in Playa Vista near LAX airport, in Los Angeles
The new Google office is composed of open workspaces and elevated walkways which emphasize the idea of collaboration
The new Google office is composed of open workspaces and elevated walkways which emphasize the idea of collaboration
The office is a building within a building, using the historic wooden hangar as a shell
The office is a building within a building, using the historic wooden hangar as a shell

The hangar was built in 1943 for the construction of the Hercule IV plane which was also known as the Spruce Goose. The transformation was done by ZGF architects. They decided to make this a building within a building so they built a 4-story high office area inside the wooden hangar, making sure to allow the natural light to penetrate every level and to put an emphasis on the magnitude of the structure and its historical significance.

Everything was designed with great respect for the historic structure and its significance and workmanship
Everything was designed with great respect for the historic structure and its significance and workmanship
The hangar was restored and its original charm was preserved. At the same time, a series of new windows and skylights were added
The hangar was restored and its original charm was preserved. At the same time, a series of new windows and skylights were added
The movement between the floors and the different areas is very fluid and open
The movement between the floors and the different areas is very fluid and open
The new office is a four-story high structure, with floor plans that vary in shape and size
The new office is a four-story high structure, with floor plans that vary in shape and size

The new Google office is comprised of workspaces, meeting rooms, event rooms, cafeteria and cafe areas and a variety of other spaces. Everything is housed inside the restored timber frame, with eye-catching art installations and colorful furnishings spread across the floor plans. The overall design is contemporary and the fact that there’s a huge wooden hangar which covers everything like a dome only has positive effects on the office.  It’s not just that. Some of the conference rooms have aviation-inspired names and a lot of the decorations and artwork follow the same theme.

The different shapes and sizes of the floor plans allow natural light to penetrate all levels
The different shapes and sizes of the floor plans allow natural light to penetrate all levels
On the outside, the new Google office looks very unassuming and lacks any striking company marks
On the outside, the new Google office looks very unassuming and lacks any striking company marks
The hangar office sits between two other Google properties and aims to unify the campus
The hangar office sits between two other Google properties and aims to unify the campus