Apple’s new The Observatory event space at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, has been unveiled by the tech giant as part of the launch event for the new iPhone 16. The design, which is in ways reminiscent of several of James Turrell’s skylit spaces, is marketed as a contemplative experience that dialogues with the surrounding mountainside landscape. 

The materials palette features terrazzo, natural stone, and timber (the same used in the campus' circular main building and Steve Jobs Theater next door). The building reportedly runs on 100% renewable energy.

Early design concepts of The Observatory were led by Foster & Partners. Apple’s Global Architecture & Design team, led by John De Maio, completed the building design and development in collaboration with Gensler. 

The site offers an elevated view of the main Apple Park building and is surrounded by a meadow composed of hundreds of thousands of grasses, planting plugs, and bulbs.

Approximately 90 trees were temporarily relocated during construction and later returned to the site. All plant species used are drought-tolerant to align with Apple’s water conservation goals.

Editor's Note, September 10, 2024: We have updated the article to include information we requested from Apple about the architectural firms involved.