Some are asking for their own space outside main building

Aug 9, 2017 07:19 GMT  ·  By

Apple’s new spaceship headquarters looks impressive, to say the least, and it’s no wonder why: the company has spent no less than $5 billion to build it, and it took nearly 6 years to get everything done, including not only the office areas, but also the extras, which include a fitness and wellness center.

But despite all of this, it looks like some employees actually hate the new Apple Park, and some are even asking for their own offices outside the main building. And there’s just one reason for this: the open floor plan.

When Apple started planning the new headquarters, the company specifically asked for an open floor plan because this would allow its teams to work closer together, which should lead to better collaboration and, in the end, to all its divisions collaborating for better products overall.

And yet, while this does look good on paper, it appears that some of the workers are not at all impressed. Apple blogger John Grubber recently revealed that some of his sources disclosed a small dispute within the company, as a number of engineers don’t want to work at long tables with others, but in their own cubicles or offices.

“My team isn’t working like this”

Apple Vice President Johny Srouji is one of them. Grubber, who says that this information was not confirmed, explains how Srouji reacted when he first got to see the open floor plan:

"I heard that when floor plans were announced, that there was some meeting with Johny Srouji's team. He's in charge of Apple's silicon, the A10, the A11, all of their custom silicon. Obviously a very successful group at Apple, and a large and growing one with a lot on their shoulders.

When he was shown the floor plans, he was more or less just 'F--- that, f--- you, f--- this, this is bulls---.' And they built his team their own building, off to the side on the campus… My understanding is that that building was built because Srouji was like, 'F--— this, my team isn't working like this.’”

And even though some staffers are struggling to get their own offices, even outside the main building, others are getting them by default, as high-level executives will have their own working space on the fourth floor of the Apple Park.

And what’s more, some won’t even be moving to the new spaceship campus, including here Eddy Cue, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services, who will continue to work from the existing HQ together with his whole team.