---
title: "BIG life at Google"
url: "https://www.stylepark.com/en/news/big-heatherwick-studio-headquarter-google-london-kings-cross"
language: "en"
type: "article"
description: "Read more about the new office building for Google at London's King's Cross station by BIG and Heatherwick, which has as one feature a giant roof top garden."
published: "2017-06-06T10:29:00+02:00"
modified: "2021-04-30T12:38:11+02:00"
authors: ["Fabian Peters"]
image: "https://www.stylepark.com/assets/transformations/articles/_1410xAUTO_fit_center-center_90_none/TS_QF_Google_HQ.jpg"
---

![Google HQ BIG Heatherwick London](https://www.stylepark.com/assets/transformations/articles/_1410xAUTO_crop_center-center_82_none/103063_large.jpg)

The building by BIG und Heatherwick Studio for Google at London's King's Cross station shows its stepped levels on the outside. Photo: Google

# BIG life at Google

BIG and Thomas Heatherwick have together designed the new London offices of Google – the form is a flowing spatial cascade.

6/6/2017

For the London Google HQ, BIG architects and Heatherwick Office presented their design to the public. The 11-story building will be build downtown in the “Knowledge Quarter” next to King's Cross.

![Google HQ BIG Heatherwick London](https://www.stylepark.com/assets/transformations/articles/_1410xAUTO_crop_center-center_82_none/103058_large.jpg)

A park on the roof is one of the most spectacular features of the design. Photo: Google

To make certain all the work spaces are as open and flowing as possible, fostering communications, the architects have designed multi-level stories that blend with one another, reminiscent of Rem Koolhaas’s Dutch Embassy building in Berlin. The entire office area is conceived as a coherent, staggered ascending space that culminates in a roof world that resembles a park and is intended as recreation space for the staff. By contrast, the ground floor is home to auditoriums, a market hall and retail outlets.

![Google HQ BIG Heatherwick London](https://www.stylepark.com/assets/transformations/articles/_1410xAUTO_crop_center-center_82_none/Screen-Shot-2017-05-23-at-15.46.45.png)

Openness and light were most important for the offices. Photo: Google

Google believes the architecture of its buildings plays a considerable role in ensuring staff satisfaction: "Our offices and facilities play a key part in shaping the Google culture,” comments Joe Borrett, Director of Real Estate and Construction. This is why the design goes much further than just roof gardens: All the materials for the new building are evaluated and selected using “Google's Healthy Materials Program” to make certain only non-toxic and sustainable components are used. (fap)

![Google HQ BIG Heatherwick London](https://www.stylepark.com/assets/transformations/articles/_1410xAUTO_crop_center-center_82_none/Screen-Shot-2017-05-23-at-15.45.33.png)

The groundfloor of the new building is planned for shops and a market hall. Photo: Google

![Google HQ BIG Heatherwick London](https://www.stylepark.com/assets/transformations/articles/_1410xAUTO_crop_center-center_82_none/Screen-Shot-2017-05-23-at-15.44.00.png)

Regent's Canal goes past the building's rear side. Photo: Google

![Google HQ BIG Heatherwick London](https://www.stylepark.com/assets/transformations/articles/_1410xAUTO_crop_center-center_82_none/Screen-Shot-2017-05-23-at-15.43.00.png)

The narrow front side next to King's Cross station Photo: Google