LOOK: Vinta, Bohol, and more inside Google PH’s new ‘localized’ office

If one day you find yourself inside the new Google headquarters in Taguig, one thing is certain: You wouldn’t doubt for a second that you are, indeed, in the beautiful Philippine islands.

Last month, Google Philippines launched its new office in Bonifacio Global City with a vision in mind—to make employees and guests feel at home and to incorporate the Filipino identity in architecture and design.

The Google logo in the reception area, pinned on a wall that mimics the Ivatan houses in Batanes, bears the colors of the Philippine flag, with the iconic three stars and a sun. The reception desk also depicts old windows from ancient houses.

A painting of a jeepney bearing the sign “It’s more fun in the Philippines” and a large map of the Philippine islands with a marker in Manila can also be found in the reception area.

Furniture-like tables and chairs designed by renowned Filipino industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue and exercise balls are also scattered in different parts of the spacious office.

The meeting and conference rooms are named after Philippine elements, places, and other local terms like Vinta, Salakot, Tabon, Bohol, Palawan, Salu-salo and Tabon. A room named “Inay” is also dedicated to breastfeeding mothers.

Inside the work area, desks are properly spaced to depict the scattered islands of the archipelago, unlike the traditional side by side cubicles. A long glass wall was also designed with the famous Puerto Princesa Underground River in a way that makes the view appear realistic.

Google Philippines communications head Gail Tain said they wanted to incorporate nature in their headquarters. The limestone formation in Palawan’s Tabon caves is also depicted in one portion of the work place.

Employees may spend their free time in the homey and modern-looking pantry, with a cafeteria and colorful dining furniture. A ping-pong table lies at one corner of the pantry area, with basketballs hanging from the ceiling and walls designed with paintings of famous athletes like Manny Pacquiao, Lydia de Vega, and Paeng Nepomuceno.

But for Tan, the “best selling point” of the new headquarters is its view of the Taguig cityscape and the skyline of Metro Manila and neighboring provinces. Employees get to see sunrise and sunset every day through the glass walls, Tan said. RAM

Here are some photos of Google Philippines’ new office, all taken by this reporter: