NBCUniversal Campus Project
At NBCUniversal’s historic working studio lot, a transformation of the landscape sparks the transformation of where and how creative work happens across a newly connected campus. A collaboration between LEVER and James Corner Field Operations, the Campus Project draws inspiration from the beauty of the Southern California landscape to revive a unique sense of culture and place at NBCUniversal. After a century of growth and infill across the lot, this expansion restores lush gardens and creates new green spaces, bringing people closer to the outdoors and to one another.
Outdoor amenities are central to the expansion: the siting of the new office building and the Commons building work together with the existing structures to frame a new central green at the social heart of the campus. Lawns shaded by mature trees make the green a flexible space for picnics and events, from movie screenings and farmer’s markets to all-hands town hall meetings and galas.
A new “green spine” runs the full length of the lot, connecting the campus with a lushly-planted paseo that brings pedestrians from the arrival commons all the way to the plaza. The paseo and plaza provide digitally-connected garden workspaces, outdoor dining areas, and a variety of flexible gathering areas - fully blending indoor and outdoor spaces. The campus expansion design seeks to foster creativity and innovation by encouraging people to leave their cubicles and studios, inviting chance interactions and bringing creativity into inspiring public spaces.