Earlier this year, Microsoft unveiled its inspiring new treetop office providing staff with the opportunity to work in a relaxing, tranquil environment, while being close to nature during working hours.
Microsoft recently revealed additional plans for renovating its flagship campus in Redmond, which marks the most impressive redevelopment plans in the history of Microsoft. The renovation project, taking around five to seven years, will hugely benefit the 47,000 employees who work within the campus.
Around 12 buildings will be removed and replaced by 18 brand new office buildings, allowing for an extra 8,000 employees to join in the new space. The planning is said to revolve around Microsoft’s rural roots with an emphasis on sustainability and being green.
According to Brad Smith, a team member at Microsoft, the company now has a new generation of employees and the office redevelopment will give them a suitable working space for bringing out the best of their abilities. Smith also mentioned in an interview that the new Microsoft office will be an ideal working space for fostering teamwork and creativity among employees. The positive working environment will be in a good position to promote informality, help team members stay connected, and learn from one another. He also added that Microsoft looks at the new redevelopment as the “crown jewel” of the company.
The original site of the current Microsoft campus stands used to be a chicken ranch. The ranch was purchased for a shopping mall development project which did not survive. In the 1980s, Microsoft purchased the site to build their headquarters called “88 Acres”, with its iconic “X-wing” buildings which surrounded “Lake Bill”. The construction of the headquarters finished by 1986, which was a year after the release of the first Windows OS, and only a few weeks before Microsoft went public.
The new Microsoft office is said to be pedestrian- and bike-friendly. The design will include a walkway across the freeway and underground parking. Soccer and cricket fields are also in the plan, together with a central plaza to be used for outdoor activities including meetings, presentations, and musical performances. The outdoor plaza will fit as many as 8,000 to 12,000 people.
Furthermore, Microsoft’s new redevelopment includes the increased availability of public transportation –the commute time for many employees will be reduced to 30 minutes with the new Seattle to Richmond light rail extension. A $33.3 million funding agreement has been established with Sound Transit for the development of the pedestrian walkway and the light rail station.
Microsoft has a record as a good employer that invests heavily in the wellbeing of its employees, who in turn produce high quality designs that constantly boost the company’s profile. By providing an optimum working environment for their staff, Microsoft is able to successfully attract the best talent into the business.
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