Why Do Companies Call Their Offices a Campus?

Nowadays, it's quite common for companies, especially tech giants like Apple, VMware, and Microsoft, to call their extensive office complexes a ldquo;campus.rdquo; This term originally referred to a college or university, encompassing all buildings and grounds on a piece of land. Over time, the meaning has broadened to include any organization with multiple buildings on a single premises, giving rise to the contemporary

The Evolution of the Word ldquo;Campusrdquo;

The original meaning of the word ldquo;campusrdquo; was fairly straightforward: it referred to a college or university, including all the buildings and grounds that made up the organization and were located on one piece of land. While still used in this context today, the word ldquo;campusrdquo; has broadened in meaning, particularly in recent decades. Now, it's not uncommon for organizations in a wide range of sectors, from business to healthcare, to refer to their premises as ldquo;the campus.rdquo;

Why Large Tech Companies Call Their Offices a Campus

Large tech companies like Apple, VMware, and Microsoft often have multiple office buildings spread out across several acres. The use of the term ldquo;campusrdquo; for these office complexes is not just a nod to the historic meaning of the word, but also a reflection of the company culture and design philosophy. These companies are known for creating extensive, aesthetically pleasing workspaces that resemble educational institutions. Let's delve into why they choose this term.

Example: Apple Campus

Apple’s Campus, located at 1 Infinite Loop in Cupertino, California, is a prime example of this trend. Designed to resemble a university with buildings arranged around green spaces, it features multiple buildings spread out over several acres. This sprawling complex is Apple’s third large campus in Silicon Valley, serving as a testament to the company’s commitment to fostering a vibrant, educated vibe.

Example: VMware Campus

The VMware campus in Palo Alto is another great example. Notice that it consists of about a dozen buildings spread out over several acres. The campus is so extensive that it has multiple ldquo;camps,rdquo; each with its own unique characteristics. The office buildings are named ldquo;Promrdquo; buildings, and there's even a gym. Two actually! This scale and design reflect VMware's ambition and the tech industryrsquo;s unique corporate culture.

Example: Microsoft Campus

The Microsoft Campus in Redmond, Washington, also epitomizes the trend. It is simply enormous, with so many buildings that it has its own ldquo;campsrdquo; within the camp. My last office there was in Building 42, which is just one of many impressive structures. The scale of the campus is such that every building is significant, reflecting the company's ambitions and the competitive nature of the tech industry.

The Philosophy of a Campus Office Layout

The choice to refer to these extensive office complexes as ldquo;campsrdquo; is not just a matter of semantics. It's a reflection of the tech industry's philosophy and approach to work. Extensive office complexes serve several important purposes:

Built-in Community: They create a sense of community and togetherness among employees, promoting teamwork and collaboration. Creative Environment: The design often includes amenities such as cafes, gyms, and green spaces that foster creativity and well-being. Technological Innovation: Large office complexes can better accommodate advanced technologies and research labs, driving innovation.

For instance, the Microsoft campus in Redmond is so large that it requires a map to navigate, and even within the campus, there are multiple buildings with various functions. This extensive layout is not just a physical space but a holistic approach to work and collaboration.

Challenges and Criticisms

While the ldquo;campusrdquo; concept has its benefits, it's not without its challenges. For example, the Microsoft campus in Redmond, while impressive, can be overwhelming and disorienting. Similarly, the Amazon campus in Seattle is so sprawling that it can be difficult to navigate and is often described as a maze of buildings, given its nickname ldquo;Mercer Mess.rdquo; These challenges reflect the trade-offs of creating such extensive and ambitious workspaces.

Conclusion

Companies like Apple, VMware, and Microsoft have adopted the term ldquo;campusrdquo; to describe their extensive office complexes, reflecting a broader approach to work and corporate culture. From the design and amenities to the build-in sense of community, these companies are creating workspaces that are not just buildings but environments that support creativity, innovation, and collaboration. While there are challenges associated with such large-scale office complexes, their approach has become a hallmark of the tech industry and is often emulated by other companies in the sector.