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When Facebook approached famed Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry to design their new headquarters in Menlo Park, California, they asked for a simple building without a heavy design.

And while the building might look pretty conventional from down below, 70-feet up on the roof is something light on the environment and the spirits: a gigantic 9-acre garden.

The building, called MPK 20, is topped by a parkland with verdant green fields of grass, over 400 trees, and a lot of trails. “It’s a half mile loop,” says Lori Goler, head of human resources and recruiting. “It gives space to think.”

Like any new garden, the plants here have yet to fill out. But in coming years we can expect to see a lush green environment sitting atop the 430,000 square foot open-plan building.

From top to bottom, this place is designed to encourage collaboration and the free exchange of ideas. It sounds like a perfect fit for Silicon Valley.

From below, the building is decidedly understated. (Matt Harnack/Facebook)

From below, the building is decidedly understated.
(Matt Harnack/Facebook)

But up above the entire 9-acre roof is criss-crossed with trails and unique areas to get some fresh air. (Gehry Partners)

But up above the entire 9-acre roof is criss-crossed with trails and unique areas to get some fresh air. (Gehry Partners)

On top you almost wouldn’t know you were 70-feet in the air. (WIRED)

On top you almost wouldn’t know you were 70-feet in the air.
(WIRED)

 

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