foster + partners tops apple park visitor center with open-air roof terrace

designed as ‘architectural extension’ of the tech giant’s new cupertino campus, apple’s new visitor center has opened its doors to the public. also designed by foster + partners, the new visitor center has been conceived as a gateway to apple park where guests can explore the campus in an immersive and engaging way. the structure includes many of the same design characteristics as its much larger neighbor, with similarly sculptural staircases, stone walls, and terrazzo floors.

all images © nigel young / foster + partners

foster + partners’ design also features a cantilevering carbon fiber roof, that provides shelter for outdoor seating areas, while a roof terrace offers view of the campus’ main building. ‘the idea was to create a delicate pavilion where visitors can enjoy the same material palette and meticulous detailing seen in the ring building in a relaxed setting, against the backdrop of apple park,’ explains stefan behling, head of studio, foster + partners.

visitors are greeted with a large scale model of the site

internally, visitors are greeted with a large scale model of the site, which has been milled and finished by the same machines that create apple’s signature products. at the southern end of the visitor center is a secluded café, while exclusive merchandise is available as souvenirs. above, a screen of curved carbon-fiber fins shades the roof terrace, which provides views across the campus towards the ring building itself. see designboom’s previous coverage of the apple park development here.

the structure includes sculptural staircases and terrazzo floors

the building includes many of the same design characteristics as its much larger neighbor

a roof terrace offers view of the campus’ main building

the apple park visitor center has opened its doors to the public