Steve Jobs Theater – Limestone at its best

Apart from its fascinating shape and the controversy over its utility, the Great Pyramid of Gizeh is famous for holding the world record for the tallest construction during 38 centuries (until the completion of England Lincoln Cathedral in 1311). However, few people know that limestone, the material used, was a premiere for such a monumental construction by being selected instead of other popular stones such as marble, granite, or travertine.

photo source: fosterandpartners.com

Despite other famous buildings made out of limestone since the Great Pyramid, the Steve Jobs Theater style remains unique. Opened in 2017 and designed by Norman Foster (Apple Park’s architect), Steve Jobs Theater can also be interpreted as a Steve Jobs tribute, underlining the company's minimalist, trademark design. Far from being a coincidence, Steve Jobs Theater also received the "Award Natural Stone Institute" in 2018 for "Commercial Interior".

photo source: fosterandpartners.com

"We worked incredibly hard to create a uniquely simple and beautiful environment" - Jony Ive, former Chief Design Officer at Apple. The result is an amazing project in line with Apple’s design philosophy and recommended by architectural superlatives and its materials. A lens-shaped roof (the largest carbon fiber roof in the world, with 81 tonnes) that sits on the largest glass structure in the world (without additional support columns) and is decorated with limestone, for a minimalist and functional design.

photo source: fosterandpartners.com

A project which broke ground in November 2013 and opened in April 2017, Apple Park remains loyal to Steve Jobs, who wanted "the best office building in the world". The reckless visionary leader of Apple wanted an environmental-friendly office, less like an office park, but rather as a nature retreat. With its 71 hectares area in Cupertino, California, Apple Park was dubbed "the spaceship" by the media – a circular 260 000 sqm, four-story building, the inspired working place for more than 12 000 employees. An essential detail: the 14 200 parking spaces, which might seem much, but correct in this context.

photo source: fosterandpartners.com

The glass walls of Steve Jobs Theater allow the visitors to have a perspective view of the Apple Park and its high glass elevator is the world’s tallest, freestanding of its kind. With its 1 000-seat capacity Steve Jobs Theater auditorium is aimed at product launches and news conferences. The careful selection of the 130 000 sqm of limestone with sandblasted finish represents only the visible part, since this is the result of eight years of intense collaboration between Foster + Partners and Apple. As if this was still necessary, in the end, everything is meant to support the company’s phrase from the Apple II event release in 1977, "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication".

Always #generatinginspiration, PIATRAONLINE product range includes a wide range of limestone. Visit our website and get in touch with our sales department by phone at +40.318.222.333 or by email at export@piatraonline.com