Google Henderson Hub: Sustainable Data Center Design in the Desert

The Google Henderson Hub in Nevada is a two-story, 44,000-square-foot data center hub designed by Cushing Terrell. The team had to work within a specific footprint, which included space for Google's data centers, as well as various amenities and workspaces.

To optimize the user experience, the design team used a 'vibe map' to arrange the workplace according to the needs of the Google team. This resulted in a layout that includes a large café, micro-kitchens, an indoor basketball court, gym, fitness areas, conference rooms, open office space, and breakout rooms for team collaboration.

The outdoor courtyard was a major priority, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls in the adjacent café and a robust canopy to provide shading from the desert sun. Gabion walls surround the courtyard, utilizing local rock varieties and creating a natural enclosure that also serves as an acoustic barrier.