Google's Cambridge office has elevators that look like the subway and take workers to 'the beach' and faux Victorian houses

Advertisement
Google's Cambridge office has elevators that look like the subway and take workers to 'the beach' and faux Victorian houses
Google_4 Cambridge24

Halkin Mason Photography

Advertisement
  • Google is known for its quirky offices and built-in unusual structures.
  • The tech giant often incorporates nods to local culture into its offices, and the one in Cambridge, Massachusetts no exception.
  • The Cambridge-based office is full of references to local icons. Take a look inside.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Google may have started in garage, but it's offices are now some of the most interesting ones in tech.

The company is known for places offices in unexpected buildings, from an old airplane hangar in LA to a former vodka factory in Warsaw, Poland. Its Cambridge, Massachusetts office is in a more standard building, but the inside is unique to the location.

Complimentary Tech Event
Transform talent with learning that works
Capability development is critical for businesses who want to push the envelope of innovation.Discover how business leaders are strategizing around building talent capabilities and empowering employee transformation.Know More

NELSON Worldwide design firm collaborated with Google employees to design a plan that includes some of Boston and Cambridge's most iconic locations, all tied together as stops on the subway that's shared by the two cities. These photos show how the designers integrated Google culture with Boston culture to form a one-of-a-kind office that won a 2015 iDesign Award.

Take a look at the photos here.

Advertisement

Get the latest Google stock price here.

{{}}

Google's massive Cambridge, MA office spans 300,000 square feet.

Google's massive Cambridge, MA office spans 300,000 square feet.

The multi-building workspace accommodates 1,200 workers.

The multi-building workspace accommodates 1,200 workers.
Advertisement

Google's campus encircles a parking garage in Cambridge, near MIT's campus.

Google's campus encircles a parking garage in Cambridge, near MIT's campus.

Design firm NELSON Worldwide worked with Google for five years to reach the final product, made up of three buildings, plus two smaller in-fill buildings to create one large floor plan.

Design firm NELSON Worldwide worked with Google for five years to reach the final product, made up of three buildings, plus two smaller in-fill buildings to create one large floor plan.
Advertisement

Google initially planned on a 20,000 square foot campus, but after collaborating with NELSON and Google employees based in the area, eventually, this design was the winner.

Google initially planned on a 20,000 square foot campus, but after collaborating with NELSON and Google employees based in the area, eventually, this design was the winner.

According to NELSON, the goal was to create a campus that was a "truly Boston/Cambridge space, with specific nods to both."

According to NELSON, the goal was to create a campus that was a "truly Boston/Cambridge space, with specific nods to both."
Advertisement

The campus is inspired by Boston and Cambridge's transit system, the MBTA.

The campus is inspired by Boston and Cambridge's transit system, the MBTA.

Each of five buildings is a different colored line of the "T," as Boston's subway system.

Each of five buildings is a different colored line of the "T," as Boston's subway system.
Advertisement

...and each floor is a different stop.

...and each floor is a different stop.

The Arlington Street stop, for example, is a library...

The Arlington Street stop, for example, is a library...
Advertisement

...inspired by the Victorian houses on the real-life Green Line stop.

...inspired by the Victorian houses on the real-life Green Line stop.

On the Red Line, the Charles/MGH stop is based on the Liberty Hotel, which itself is based on the infamous Charles Street Jail, and has real jailhouse doors, according to office blog Office Snapshots.

On the Red Line, the Charles/MGH stop is based on the Liberty Hotel, which itself is based on the infamous Charles Street Jail, and has real jailhouse doors, according to office blog Office Snapshots.

Source: Office Snapshots

Advertisement

The entire campus is filled with homages to life in Boston and Cambridge.

The entire campus is filled with homages to life in Boston and Cambridge.

One of several micro-kitchens has canoes hanging from the ceiling, a nod to the popularity of boating on the Charles River that separates the two cities.

One of several micro-kitchens has canoes hanging from the ceiling, a nod to the popularity of boating on the Charles River that separates the two cities.
Advertisement

Boston's "Head of the Charles" regatta draws competitors from across the country, so it's only natural that Google would allude to this iconic piece of the culture.

Boston's "Head of the Charles" regatta draws competitors from across the country, so it's only natural that Google would allude to this iconic piece of the culture.

Along the Blue Line, there are more aquatic themes.

Along the Blue Line, there are more aquatic themes.
Advertisement

Boston is home to Revere Beach, the first public beach in the US.

Boston is home to Revere Beach, the first public beach in the US.

So the Revere Beach stop features a lighthouse...

So the Revere Beach stop features a lighthouse...
Advertisement

...and a beach shack.

...and a beach shack.

Even the less decked out rooms have features that remind Googlers they're in the Bay State.

Even the less decked out rooms have features that remind Googlers they're in the Bay State.
Advertisement

Of course, an aquarium is a nice touch.

Of course, an aquarium is a nice touch.

White Adirondack chairs add to the beachy feel.

White Adirondack chairs add to the beachy feel.
Advertisement

The cafe is another reference to a Boston icon, in this case, the Public Garden, at the Park Street stop.

The cafe is another reference to a Boston icon, in this case, the Public Garden, at the Park Street stop.

The campus is full of cozy nooks to hide out and get some work done...

The campus is full of cozy nooks to hide out and get some work done...
Advertisement

...take in beautiful views...

...take in beautiful views...

...or sneak in a quick nap.

...or sneak in a quick nap.
Advertisement

Of course, the amenities look pretty great too.

Of course, the amenities look pretty great too.

Googlers have access to an on-site gym.

Googlers have access to an on-site gym.
Advertisement

And Google takes the standard ping pong table up a notch with a giant chess board.

And Google takes the standard ping pong table up a notch with a giant chess board.

Several kitchens and cafes offer choices for snack breaks.

Several kitchens and cafes offer choices for snack breaks.
Advertisement

Custom wallpaper is both sustainable and nods to Boston's skyline.

Custom wallpaper is both sustainable and nods to Boston's skyline.

In addition to the Boston-specific touches, the campus is also more broadly transportation-themed.

In addition to the Boston-specific touches, the campus is also more broadly transportation-themed.
Advertisement

Googlers can work as if they're on a plane...

Googlers can work as if they're on a plane...

...although with more comfortable seats.

...although with more comfortable seats.
Advertisement

Designers incorporated vintage signs into more standard rooms, like this conference room.

Designers incorporated vintage signs into more standard rooms, like this conference room.

Stop signs and traffic lights are a theme throughout the campus and stand in over what would otherwise be boring bare walls.

Stop signs and traffic lights are a theme throughout the campus and stand in over what would otherwise be boring bare walls.
Advertisement

Other areas have the more typical feel of a Google office, with bright colors and open designs.

Other areas have the more typical feel of a Google office, with bright colors and open designs.