Google’s New York Office: A Flexible and Changeable Workspace
Google’s newest office, located in the historic St. John’s Terminal building in Manhattan, is a one-million-plus-square-foot space that embodies the company’s latest thinking on the workplace. The building, which was originally constructed in 1934 as a freight train terminal, has been transformed into a flexible and changeable workspace that prioritizes collaboration, comfort, and connection to nature.
The office features large, open floors that can be easily reconfigured to meet the needs of different teams and projects. The space is divided into “neighborhoods,” each with its own dedicated meeting rooms and flexible workspaces that can be adjusted to suit the needs of the team. The office also includes a range of amenities, such as cafes, terraces, and micro kitchens, that are designed to support the well-being and productivity of employees.
The design of the office is centered around the idea of creating a space that is adaptable and responsive to the changing needs of the business. The use of modular walls and furniture allows teams to easily reconfigure their workspaces as needed, and the inclusion of natural light and outdoor spaces is designed to promote a sense of calm and connection to nature.
The office is also designed to feel like a part of the surrounding neighborhood, with a focus on integrating the building into the local community. The addition of St. John’s Terminal to Google’s New York operational footprint makes it the second-largest after its home base in Silicon Valley.
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Flexible | Capable of bending or being bent without breaking; adaptable to changing circumstances. | The office features large, open floors that can be easily reconfigured to meet the needs of different teams and projects. |
| Modular | Designed or constructed in separate units or sections that can be easily assembled or rearranged. | The use of modular walls and furniture allows teams to easily reconfigure their workspaces as needed. |
| Neighborhoods | Areas within a larger space that are designated for specific groups or activities. | The space is divided into “neighborhoods,” each with its own dedicated meeting rooms and flexible workspaces. |
| Adaptable | Able to adjust to new or changing circumstances. | The design of the office is centered around the idea of creating a space that is adaptable and responsive to the changing needs of the business. |
| Responsive | Able to react quickly and effectively to changing circumstances. | The design of the office is centered around the idea of creating a space that is adaptable and responsive to the changing needs of the business. |
| Operational footprint | The physical space or area occupied by a business or organization. | The addition of St. John’s Terminal to Google’s New York operational footprint makes it the second-largest after its home base in Silicon Valley. |
| Reconfigured | Changed or rearranged in terms of layout or organization. | The office features large, open floors that can be easily reconfigured to meet the needs of different teams and projects. |
| Integrated | Combined or united into a single whole. | The office is designed to feel like a part of the surrounding neighborhood, with a focus on integrating the building into the local community. |
| Productivity | The state of being productive; the quality of being able to produce a lot. | The office includes a range of amenities, such as cafes, terraces, and micro kitchens, that are designed to support the well-being and productivity of employees. |
| Amenities | Features or benefits that make a place more pleasant or attractive. | The office includes a range of amenities, such as cafes, terraces, and micro kitchens, that are designed to support the well-being and productivity of employees. |
Vocabulary Quiz: Google’s New York Office
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The word “embodies” in the text means:
- A) To represent or express something
- B) To change or modify something
- C) To create or build something
- D) To destroy or demolish something
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The word “reconfigured” in the text means:
- A) To arrange or organize something in a new way
- B) To leave something in its original state
- C) To add or remove something
- D) To ignore or neglect something
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The word “prioritizes” in the text means:
- A) To give something more importance or attention
- B) To ignore or neglect something
- C) To add or remove something
- D) To leave something in its original state
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The word “modular” in the text means:
- A) Made up of separate units or parts
- B) Connected or joined together
- C) Fixed or permanent
- D) Complex or complicated
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The word “responsive” in the text means:
- A) Reacting quickly to a situation or change
- B) Ignoring or neglecting something
- C) Adding or removing something
- D) Leaving something in its original state
Answer Key
- A) To represent or express something
- A) To arrange or organize something in a new way
- A) To give something more importance or attention
- A) Made up of separate units or parts
- A) Reacting quickly to a situation or change
The Use of the Present Perfect Continuous Tense to Describe Ongoing Actions and Changes
| The present perfect continuous tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and continue up to the present moment. It is often used to talk about changes, developments, and ongoing processes. In the text, we can see examples of this tense in sentences such as “has been transformed” and “has been designed”. The present perfect continuous tense is formed using the present perfect form of the verb “to have” (has/have) + the past participle of the main verb + the suffix “-ing”. |
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Quiz Time!
Choose the correct answer for each question.
1. The present perfect continuous tense is used to describe actions that:
A) Started and finished in the past
B) Started in the past and continue up to the present moment
C) Will start in the future
D) Are habitual or repeated
2. Which of the following sentences is an example of the present perfect continuous tense?
A) The building was constructed in 1934.
B) The office has been transformed into a flexible workspace.
C) The design of the office is centered around the idea of creating a space.
D) The company will prioritize collaboration and comfort.
3. What is the correct form of the present perfect continuous tense?
A) Has/have + past participle
B) Has/have + past participle + -ing
C) Was/were + past participle
D) Will + base form of the verb
4. Why is the present perfect continuous tense used in the sentence “The office has been designed to support the well-being and productivity of employees”?
A) To describe a completed action
B) To describe an ongoing process
C) To describe a future plan
D) To describe a habitual action
5. Which of the following sentences is NOT an example of the present perfect continuous tense?
A) The company has been expanding its operations.
B) The office has been transformed into a flexible workspace.
C) The building was constructed in 1934.
D) The design of the office is centered around the idea of creating a space.
Answer Key
1. B) Started in the past and continue up to the present moment
2. B) The office has been transformed into a flexible workspace.
3. B) Has/have + past participle + -ing
4. B) To describe an ongoing process
5. C) The building was constructed in 1934.
