Welcome to St. John’s Terminal | New Google office in NYC

Google
21 Feb 202404:00

TLDRThe script discusses the transformation of the workplace at St. John's Terminal, emphasizing Google's focus on innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. The redesigned space promotes team-based work environments, fosters a sense of community, and includes diverse common areas to accommodate various working styles. The building's history and connection to the waterfront are highlighted, along with its commitment to ecology and green energy. Google's growth in New York City is noted, reflecting the company's dedication to customer engagement and problem-solving in a redesigned office experience that is both human-centric and distinctly 'Google.'

Takeaways

  • 🌟 The workplace is undergoing a significant transformation, pushing for innovative approaches to how we work together.
  • 🚀 Google emphasizes innovation, testing, and learning as core values, shaping the way it designs its workspaces.
  • 🔄 The commute to work should be driven by the opportunity to collaborate with passionate and creative colleagues.
  • 💡 St. John's Terminal represents a chance to rethink and redesign the office space for the modern way of working.
  • 🌐 Google's vision for St. John's Terminal is centered around fostering teamwork and community within designated 'neighborhoods'.
  • 🏢 The design philosophy of St. John's Terminal is team-first, ensuring that every team has its own space to work and collaborate effectively.
  • 🔧 The workspace is designed to accommodate various types of work, from individual focus to group collaboration and social interaction.
  • 🔄 The architecture of St. John's Terminal is about creating connections, both physically and socially, within the community.
  • 🌿 Sustainability and ecology are integral to the design, with features like solar panels, native plant species, and stormwater retention.
  • 📈 Google's growth in New York City reflects its commitment to the region, making it the largest site for the Global Business Organization in North America.
  • 🤝 The new office space is designed to facilitate customer engagement and problem-solving, aligning with Google's mission to help customers grow.

Q & A

  • What is the primary goal behind the design of St. John's Terminal according to the script?

    -The primary goal is to reimagine how people work together in a radically different context, focusing on innovation, collaboration, and creating a sense of community and belonging among teams.

  • How has Google's approach to workplace design changed over time as mentioned in the script?

    -Google's approach to workplace design has evolved to prioritize team-first designs, creating 'neighborhoods' for teams, and ensuring spaces allow for various work styles and collaboration, reflecting a shift from traditional desk-centric layouts.

  • What unique features does St. John's Terminal offer to promote creativity and collaboration?

    -St. John's Terminal offers features like a mix of common and neighborhood spaces, areas that feel like libraries or coffee shops, outdoor connections, and ecological sustainability, all designed to foster creativity and collaboration.

  • How does the architecture of St. John's Terminal enhance the connection to its surroundings?

    -The architecture of St. John's Terminal enhances its connection to the surroundings by integrating historic railroad beds, creating views of the waterfront, and designing the building to foster physical and visual connections indoors and outdoors.

  • What historical significance does St. John's Terminal hold, and how has it been transformed?

    -St. John's Terminal, originally built in 1934 as part of the New York Central Railroad West Side Improvement Project, has been transformed from blocking views of the river to connecting the community with the waterfront, while preserving historical elements.

  • How does the design of St. John's Terminal reflect Google's commitment to sustainability?

    -The design reflects Google's commitment to sustainability through features like solar panels, stormwater retention, and the incorporation of an ecology with 95% native plant species, aiming for the highest levels of sustainability.

  • What was the starting point of Google's presence in New York City, and how has it grown?

    -Google started its presence in New York City with one salesperson working out of a coffee shop on the Upper West Side 25 years ago. It has grown to where New York will be the largest site for Google's Global Business Organization in North America.

  • How does the design of St. John's Terminal cater to different work styles and needs?

    -The design caters to different work styles by providing spaces for heads-down work, meeting others, connecting, and collaborating, with flexibility for teams to decide how their neighborhood space works best for them.

  • What is the 'North Star' for Google in the context of its New York City operations as mentioned in the script?

    -Google's 'North Star' in New York City is about helping customers grow, which is achieved by spending time with them and problem-solving together, reflecting a focus on customer-centric growth and collaboration.

  • How does Google envision the future office experience at St. John's Terminal?

    -Google envisions the office experience at St. John's Terminal to be collaborative, human, and uniquely 'Google,' moving away from traditional office experiences towards more dynamic and interactive work environments.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Rethinking the Workplace at Google's St. John's Terminal

This paragraph outlines the evolution of the workplace, especially in light of recent changes, and Google's innovative approach to these changes at St. John's Terminal. The project aims to rethink how people work together, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and community. Google views innovation as a product of teamwork, suggesting that a significant commute should offer value through interaction with passionate, creative individuals. The design of St. John's Terminal is team-first, offering 'neighborhoods' for various teams to foster a sense of community and belonging. The space also includes diverse common areas to encourage creativity and collaboration, mirroring the adaptive nature of work environments. The architecture of St. John's Terminal integrates historical elements, sustainability, and a connection with nature, representing a holistic approach to the modern workspace. The narrative also reflects on Google's growth in New York, highlighting the importance of location in fostering business relationships and innovation. The overarching theme is that the future of work is collaborative, dynamic, and deeply integrated with the local community and environment.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡workplace transformation

The term 'workplace transformation' refers to the significant changes in how and where work is conducted, often driven by technological advancements and evolving work cultures. In the context of the video, it highlights the dramatic shift in the traditional office environment towards more collaborative and flexible spaces, as exemplified by the redesign of St. John's Terminal. This transformation is about creating an environment that fosters innovation, teamwork, and a sense of community, which is central to the video's theme of reimagining work in the modern era.

💡innovation

Innovation is the process of introducing new ideas, methods, or products to improve or revolutionize existing practices. In the video, innovation is a core value at Google, driving the company to constantly test, learn, and adapt its workspaces to better support collaboration and creativity. The redesign of St. John's Terminal is an example of innovation in action, as it aims to create an environment that nurtures big ideas and fosters a sense of belonging among team members.

💡collaboration

Collaboration refers to the act of working together with others to achieve a common goal. In the video, collaboration is a key aspect of the new workplace design at St. John's Terminal, with the focus on creating 'neighborhoods' for teams to work closely together. This collaborative environment is intended to facilitate the exchange of ideas and foster a sense of community among Googlers, which is essential for driving innovation and achieving collective success.

💡team-first design

A 'team-first design' approach prioritizes the needs and dynamics of teams in the layout and functionality of a workspace. In the context of the video, this approach is evident in the design of St. John's Terminal, where each team has its own dedicated 'neighborhood' that supports their unique working styles and fosters a sense of belonging. This design philosophy is central to the video's message about creating a workplace that enhances team collaboration and productivity.

💡creativity

Creativity is the ability to generate new and original ideas, solutions, or concepts. In the video, creativity is seen as a fluid and dynamic force that should be nurtured within the workplace. The design of St. John's Terminal aims to support this by providing a variety of common spaces that inspire and accommodate different creative processes, from focused work to collaborative brainstorming sessions. The video emphasizes that a diverse range of spaces can help to stimulate creativity and encourage innovation.

💡sustainability

Sustainability refers to the practice of meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In the context of the video, sustainability is a key aspect of the St. John's Terminal project, with features like solar panels, stormwater retention, and the use of native plant species reflecting a commitment to environmental responsibility. This approach aligns with the broader theme of the video, which is about creating a workplace that is not only functional and innovative but also mindful of its impact on the environment.

💡community

Community refers to a group of people who share common interests or goals and who support and interact with one another. In the video, the concept of community is integral to the redesign of St. John's Terminal, where the goal is to create a sense of belonging and connection among workers. By providing shared spaces and emphasizing the team-first approach, the design aims to foster a collaborative environment that enhances the social and professional aspects of the work community.

💡ecology

Ecology is the branch of biology that deals with the relations between organisms and their environment. In the context of the video, ecology is not only about maintaining a healthy natural environment but also about integrating it into the workplace design. The St. John's Terminal project includes ecological considerations such as native plant species and sustainable practices, which contribute to creating a healthier and more connected environment for the community. This reflects the video's broader message of balancing human needs with environmental stewardship.

💡historical connection

A historical connection refers to the link or relationship between the present and the past, often in terms of culture, events, or physical structures. In the video, the historical connection is emphasized through the preservation and integration of the historical elements of St. John's Terminal, such as the railroad beds, into the new design. This connection serves to ground the modern workspace within its historical context, adding depth and a sense of place to the environment.

💡physical connection

Physical connection refers to the tangible links or interactions between people and their environment, such as the layout of a space or the way it facilitates or hinders movement and communication. In the video, the design of St. John's Terminal prioritizes physical connection across all floors, promoting interaction and a sense of unity among the workforce. This emphasis on physical connection is crucial for fostering a collaborative and inclusive workplace culture.

💡customer growth

Customer growth refers to the process of helping clients or customers expand their businesses or achieve their goals. In the video, this concept is central to Google's North Star, which is about nurturing relationships and problem-solving together with customers. The redesigned St. John's Terminal is intended to facilitate this process by providing an environment that encourages collaboration, innovation, and direct engagement with clients, ultimately contributing to their success and growth.

Highlights

The workplace has undergone dramatic changes, prompting a rethink in project approach.

St. John's Terminal represents a reimagining of collaborative workspaces in a radically different context.

Google's culture of innovation is emphasized, alongside the importance of physical collaboration.

The design of St. John's Terminal prioritizes team-first environments and 'neighborhoods' for different teams.

Flexibility for teams to tailor their neighborhood spaces fosters a sense of community and belonging.

A significant amount of common spaces is designed to encourage creativity and collaboration.

The architecture incorporates diverse spaces, likening some to libraries and others to coffee shops, offering comfort and choice.

Historical connection is highlighted through the architectural preservation and transformation of St. John's Terminal, linking it to The High Line.

The building's design facilitates physical and visual connections, blending indoor and outdoor experiences.

The project is noted for its collaborative effort and achievements in sustainability, including green spaces and stormwater retention.

Google's growth in New York City is traced from its humble beginnings to becoming a major site for its Global Business Organization.

The location's significance is underscored by its proximity to clients and the dynamic diversity of New York City.

The office space is designed not just for work but for fostering collaboration, human connection, and embodying Google's culture.

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