Microsoft first announced plans for the modernization of its Redmond campus back in July. The project has now entered the demolition phase, which will see 13 buildings being decommissioned and deconstructed over the next few months.
This stage began with a 'demolition party' that offered a group of 10 employees the opportunity to begin destruction of the original buildings using tools such as sledgehammers and even an excavator. The tech giant has committed to using sustainable practices throughout this process, including reusing, recycling, and donating most of the materials present in the old buildings. To that end, Microsoft's construction team is also engaged in discussions with local recycling and waste processing companies to come up with ways in which the project's carbon footprint can be minimized in order to maximize sustainability.
Michael Ford, Microsoft's General Manager of Global Real Estate and Security, reiterated the company's intentions of "optimizing resource usage" and attempting to reduce the impact of this project on the environment. He also commented on the demolition event, noting:
"It is great to see the interest and excitement from employees for the campus modernization. Our employees are crucial to building an exceptional place to work, and this event was a great way to kick off this journey together."
The project is expected to be completed by 2022, with construction of 18 new buildings across four villages to form a unified campus. The experience of pedestrians and cyclists is noted as the focus of its organization, with vehicular traffic being downgraded to the peripherals of the modernized campus. You can learn more about the project and follow its progress here.
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