The definition of the workplace has changed. Habits have evolved, and doing great work is no longer limited to specific locations or within the bounds of enclosed spaces. To advance the future of its workplace, PayPal approached us to envision, repurpose and design a functionally robust and experiential outdoor space. The result is an environment where employees and guests can be productive, find inspiration and form social bonds.
The design solutions we deployed make the outdoor space an extension of the company’s workplace and a layer of its brand and mission. Our architecture, design and workplace strategy teams focused on PayPal’s commitments to its values of collaboration, innovation, inclusion and wellness. This meant creating unique and formative settings that support workflows, individual behaviours and positive impact on the natural world.
The team took a phased approach to reactivate the outdoor campus and integrate it into the fabric of the workplace. They began with high-impact design interventions to immediately influence the employee experience. Responding to the need for more flexible settings, we addressed this at different scales to accommodate adaptive workplace needs and larger events. We analysed PayPal’s pre-existing layout, structures and user journey for repurposing and revitalisation to create a year-round destination.
We reconfigured a sizeable circular seating feature into a multi-use collaboration and lounge setting. Centrally located, its surrounded by amenities, water features and beautiful garden installations. Our team also added operable windows and folding doors to create an indoor-outdoor experience.
To refresh a series of lawn areas, we introduced multiple freestanding meeting facilities. These are equipped with sun coverage and electrical for a bespoke, inspiring environment unique to each individual and their tasks.
The new, expansive space balances local culture through materials while creating a unified, human-centric brand experience. We worked alongside a landscape architect to further develop our vision. This included leading studies on sun and shade orientation, user journey, and environmental conservation. The goal was to address function, aesthetics and comfort through elegant solutions.
To develop unique destinations and a holistic, engaging journey, the workplace experience now extends to the perimeter of the campus. It incorporates more profound concepts of wellness, sustainability and pre-existing natural elements. Additionally, our teams used local, recycled, and other eco-friendly materials, such as Alaska Yellow Cedar, to prioritise sustainability.
Paypal, San Jose The overarching design connects the forms of nearby coastal wetlands. This provides consistent language, tying the series of outdoor spaces together. We established a natural hierarchy of areas that would remain untouched to support the health of trees, plants and flowers.
From customised multi-function workspaces to entertainment lounges, pre-function break-out areas, and an outdoor café seating area. Each “high impact intervention” area is designed to support individual and group work in an outdoor environment, as well as entertaining and socialising.
The unique settings reframe the outdoor campus as a destination – rather than simply part of a linear journey to the desk indoors. They encourage people to reconnect with the natural world.
Outdoor spaces are more valuable than ever. As employees return to the office, there is a unique opportunity not only to create environments where employees feel safe to come together again. It’s time to embrace new workspace options that align with core company values and progress the definition of an office experience.
Our outdoor transformation for PayPal has redefined a healthy, adaptable workplace. Once an untapped source of productivity-enhancing, morale-boosting real estate. We converted this outdoor campus into a placemaking environment that celebrates talent, connects individuals with the outdoors and motivates a return to the office.
Completed
2021
San Jose
33,937 sq ft
Emily Hagopian
