In a world where technology constantly demands our attention, Google has introduced a mesmerizing installation designed to provide a moment of distraction and contemplation. Located at Google's Charleston East Campus entrance in Mountain View, California, "The Orb" is an awe-inspiring pavilion that captivates employees and the public.
The Competition and Concept
The installation was conceived as an 'anchoring artwork' for the tech giant, resulting from an international open competition organized by Burning Man on behalf of Google. The competition attracted 45 semi-finalist proposals, culminating in a public vote to select the final design. The winning design, created by New York-based computational design experts The Very Many, led by founder and architect Marc Fornes, now stands proudly as a gateway between public and private spaces at Google HQ.
(Photo: Doublespace / Younes Bounhar )
Design and Structure
Standing 10 meters tall, The Orb features dramatic, twisting organic shapes crafted from an ultra-thin, self-supported aluminum shell structure. The structure's crisp white hue, combined with its intricate folds and myriad tiny perforations, creates a dynamic play of light and shadow. These elements come together to form a 'puzzle structure,' with slender pieces that were laser cut and powder-coated in Europe before being shipped to California during the pandemic—a logistical feat, according to Fornes.
Purpose and Experience
Nestled in the open plaza, The Orb is designed to serve as a moment of 'productive distraction.' Marc Fornes elaborates on the concept, explaining, "Underneath the airy and acrobatic minimal surface of The Orb, we carve out a moment of shade, where you can slow down even as you remain connected. Inside, the riveted surface and non-linear environment beckons attention and distracts you from your devices."
Fornes describes the experience as "visual wandering," a meditative challenge for viewers to understand the unfamiliar space, see the continuities across its parts, and discover new details from unique perspectives each time they visit. This intentional design encourages visitors to pause, reflect, and engage with the space meaningfully, offering a brief respite from the digital demands of modern life.
Awarded to The Very Many in 2018, the commission leverages Fornes' extensive experience in computational design, developed during his tenure at prestigious architecture firms such as SOM, Ross Lovegrove, and Zaha Hadid Architects. The Orb blurs the boundaries between art and architecture, embodying the innovative spirit of both fields.
(Photo: Doublespace / Younes Bounhar)
Functional Purpose
Sticking to the building's concept, the features of The Orb amaze with the detail of the work done and do not leave any space for complaints about the functions they serve. The gaps and creases of the formation expose advanced architectural features that enhance the use of light and proper ventilation, hence making it comfortable to sit on the sunny terrace. Architecture can do its best to enrich a day in this exceptional manner in which form fertilizes function.
Furthermore, The Orb is an example of a more general tendency for redeveloping urban environments, where the design of collective spaces is becoming a focus of people's attention and desire to encompass individual happiness. Thus, installations such as The Orb plead against the well-tempered container of the city and propose new forms and occupations for users beyond the constant remembrance of the metropolis.
Google's Commitment
Such investments align with Google's mission to stake its leadership in the technological advancement front and improve the well-being of its employees and people in society. The design of public art pieces, particularly an installation like The Orb, can alter the space and dictate how temporary and reflective moments are accessed in an urban setting.
Since The Orb is attracting more people and amazes everyone who comes to see it, the structure remains a symbol of avant-garde thinking and creativity. It prompts everyone to look at the world around them and enjoy the installations created with love and incredible ideas. Thus, over time, it strengthens the notion that in the best technological environment, one may still find a corner of nature and a serene atmosphere.