Google Builds Small Towns For Its Employees To Live

Ilustrasi Masterplan Google Middlefield Park (dok. Google Mountainview Park)

JAKARTA - Tech giant Google plans to build a new campus or headquarters for its employees. Google's new headquarters will be in an area of 16 hectares located in Mountain View, California, United States (US).

Google's plans to build a new office complex are quite surprising. The reason is, almost all Google employees will still work from home or Work From Home (WFH) until July 2021.

CNBC International proclaimed, the spatial design of the Googleplex was contained in a proposal entitled "Middlefield Park Master Plan". Apart from office complexes, Google will also equip its new headquarters with public facilities such as shops, recreation areas, squares, and so on, just like a small town.

The new location of Google headquarters is only 40 miles or about 64 km south of San Francisco. This area will also be connected to the Middlefield LRT station, Mountain View, California, USA, making it easier for Google employees to access transportation.

"We really see this proposal as a step forward with our housing commitment, and we look forward to working with the City and the community on the next step," said Google Mountain View development director Michael Tymoff.

Of the 16 hectares of land that will be worked on, around 12.3 hectares will be used for office areas and have 1,850 housing units. Then, Google will prepare about 0.27 hectares and 0.18 hectares, each of which will be used for retail and shopping areas.

Google's new office master plan (doc. Google Mountain View)

Meanwhile, the remaining 4.8 hectares will be prepared for open space. The plan is that this open space will have various functions, including a recreation area, soccer field, water sports center, and so on. This recreation area will also be open to the public, not just for Google employees.

"This is definitely one of the ideas in the Precise Plan to create a multi-purpose environment where multiple needs and services are within walking distance of where you live and work," said Tymoff.

Indeed, this development plan has been initiated by Google CEO, Sundar Pichai, since last year by investing 1 billion US dollars to build 20,000 new homes in San Francisco. Despite announcing a development plan in Middlefield Park, Google has not yet announced when it will start construction and the target for this new complex will be completed.