The outside view of Apple’s new building, The Observatory [Dezeen]
Apple has opened a new building as part of the Apple Park campus, with The Observatory being a subterranean venue for product demonstrations, including the iPhone 16..
Aside from the main building, visitors to Apple Park attending product launches will be familiar with the Steve Jobs Theater. However, a new building is being opened up to coincide with the “Glowtime” event that attendees will interact with for the first time with the iPhone 16.
Revealed in a series of photographs from Dezeen, The Observatory is Apple’s latest construction effort. Taking the form of a subterranean building, the “contemplative space” will be used to demonstrate new products as part of launch events.
“When we built Apple Park, we wanted the entire campus to be seamlessly integrated into the landscape, and this building follows that same approach,” said Apple global head of design (real estate and development), John De Maio.
The entranceway to The Observatory [Dezeen]
While an underground building may give off evil lair vibes, the photographs of the building offer something completely different in tone.
Using natural stone, terrazzo, and wood, the building is entered through a large circular entrance hall. At the top is a three-meter-wide (9.8 feet) oculus that brings in light from outside.
Inside The Observatory’s main space [Dezeen]
Visitors are then taken to a main event space, which has a terrace with a “portal-like opening” to Apple Park. Borrowing some of the Apple Store town square aesthetic, the space has lots of seating and potted trees.
The construction of The Observatory was very environmentally-minded throughout, including its 100-percent use of renewable energy. For its construction, around 90 trees were removed, but they were then replanted after the project had been completed.
