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Ziff Communications Headquarters

Programming for the new campus started with a tour of Ziff's existing corporate operations in New York City and California, followed by a tour of Microsoft to observe what works in the daily activity of that company. The purpose of the new campus was to develop a place where the NY and CA offices could be combined, and to put computer and software beta testing and publishing together in one spot. The new campus needed to grow over time as the requirements of the corporation changed. To define the elements BA conducted micro-programming simultaneously with the collection of "big picture" information and data. Micro-programming defines both the allocation of space metrics for each space and function, and the environment factors such as daylight, temperature, views, acoustic performance and aesthetics. A comprehensive analysis of bay depths and structure was performed to compare alternative ways to fit the work modules within a building envelope (1).

The analysis also studied the location of circulation paths, as against the windows versus internally, when compared to bay depths and location of structure (2). Analysis such as this influences the structural system, and which system gives greater cost value to the project. The overlapping of thought and probing, illustrated by diagrams, produces better fundamental program direction. BA is adept at this and is frequently contracted to test and verify programs written by others.

Preliminary planning studies tested concepts that followed Design Principles stated in the BA-developed program. The concept of module and accretion is illustrated in (3). The master plan was designed to not appear unfinished at any phase of construction, and so that it could grow without loss of character.

The ideals of circulation in a large pedestrian campus were also defined during programming. The path to get from one place to another needed to be straightforward, uncomplicated, and beautiful. A "Yellow brick road" became the pedestrian path that connects all the buildings in the fully built-out campus (4). The program also defined signage from the campus to individual work areas. Way-finding is a synthesis of circulation planning, signage and development of an easily-understood hierarchy of landmarks and use of space to give a pedestrian a good sense of where he is and how to get to his destination across the campus.