Google Visitor Experience
Location: Mountain View, CA Status: Complete Program: Strategy. Implementation Client: Google
chevron_leftEnvisioning Google's First Visitor Experience
(OU) OFFICEUNTITLED’s strategy group OUx at Google supported the visioning and strategy of the new Google Visitor Experience in Mountain View, California. Unveiled October 12th, 2023, the visitor experience is a sustainable and inclusive space where local communities and Google can thrive. Visitors can now meet at the Café, attend and plan events within the Huddle space, and shop at the local PopUp Shop. The experience serves to enrich the Mountain View community, and connect the campus with visitors, Bay Area locals, and beyond.
Connecting Community
To reinvent the idea of a public visitor space, the team conceptualized the idea of providing a platform for local community development, and how best to leverage the transformational power of Google to achieve impact.
Supporting ideation and concept development, OUx worked with the wider team to define design guidance around the visitor experience of the Cafe and Huddle spaces. From initial programming and visioning to the design management of the space during delivery, the OUx team played an integral role in shepherding the development of these spaces. Working with high caliber partners in the field of urban planning and retail strategy, OUx developed workshops designed to engage stakeholders and build consensus around the project’s mission and values.
OUx at Google was a key member of the multidisciplinary effort. Partners included Google’s project teams, HLW, Purveyor Branding, Turner & Townsend, Jamestown, and Gehl Studio.
The Huddle
The Huddle is designed as a platform for community connections, offering free events and workshops for visitors to enjoy. It’s comprised of a series of interconnected programs that allows for community events, local meetings and workshops, and a hosting place for casual meet ups and collaboration.
Cafe @ Mountain View
Google introduced its first-ever public dining experience to the broader community at the Cafe @ Mountain View. The café focuses on seasonal, locally harvested ingredients crafted with sustainability and biodiversity in mind. Reflecting the cafes for Googlers, the design and operations of this cafe focus on tackling food waste, reducing single-use plastics, conserving water and energy, and procuring goods responsibly.
Engaging the Community
Programming
Through events that foster connections, diversity, learning, and curiosity, the space is designed to support a variety of opportunities to celebrate community. On opening day our team participated in an artist-lead weaving craft workshop.
PopUp Shop
Small businesses are at the center of any community, and creating economic opportunities for entrepreneurs to grow is important to Google. The Pop-Up Shop is a retail space for local makers and small businesses to showcase their goods. Google is partnering with MOMENT from San Jose Made to curate a rotating selection of local vendors.
Details that Matter
Sustainability Story
The team felt it was critical to imbue the experience with the story of Google’s global commitment to sustainability. From the culinary direction to the furniture and material selections, everything was considered. Throughout the space there are small plaques that tell the story of the materials and products and how they connect to Google’s ethos.
Branding Partnership
OUx worked with Google to develop branding aspects of these public facing experiences. Bringing on Purveyor Branding to collaborate on the effort, they created the Cafe @ Mountain View mark and brand strategy alongside Google’s internal teams. The mark used for the cafe reflects the call for simplicity with a local and approachable touch.
Highlighting Local Artists
The team felt the best way to reflect the community was through highlighting the community through art on the walls. To achieve this, Google’s Artist in Residency (AIR) program commissioned local artists to create site-specific original artworks throughout the spaces. The murals at the Cafe @ Mountain View were by illustrator John Patrick Thomas , reflecting life in Mountain View including local flora and fauna.
