Official Apple 'Spaceship' Campus Model Makes Its Debut

It's been more than two years since Apple announced plans to build a new "spaceship" campus in Cupertino, Calif., and today, the Internet has been treated to a first look at a 3D model of Apple's proposed new "spaceship" headquarters.

The San Jose Mercury News was given a sneak peek of a model of Apple's new proposed campus before it goes before the Cupertino City Council on Tuesday.

The committee will have to vote on the project before any construction begins.

Although this is the first physical model the public has seen of the new facility, previous renderings revealed a dark-colored roof with solar panels, a corporate auditorium, additional parking and a jogging path. Images also included a 45,000 square foot fitness center.

The Mercury News posted a Tout video that gets up close with the huge model. Check it out below.

Apple is known for its design experimentation, especially with large pieces of glass.

Late founder Steve Jobs first announced the company's expansion plans at a Cupertino town hall meeting in June 2011: "It's a little like a spaceship landed," he said. "We've used our experience making retail buildings all over the world now, and we know how to make the biggest pieces of glass in the world for architectural use."

What do you think of the model? Let us know in the comments below.

Images: Apple; San Jose Mercury News

1. 

   Apple's updated plans for its cutting-edge Apple Campus 2 design show four levels of offices, sprawling landscape, a cafeteria, corporate auditorium and a fitness center. The design shape is still the same as it was initially proposed back in June, with a sleek, circular main building and glass surrounding the exterior.

2. 

   The latest renderings of Apple Campus 2 show more places for employees to unwind, including a 45,000 sq. ft. fitness center and a jogging path.

3. 

   The exterior of the main building.

4. 

   Earlier this year, Apple submitted a 175 acre development proposal to replace existing office and research buildings in the area – most of which was previously occupied by the Hewlett Packard (HP) campus. The company is making modifications to the area's existing buildings and land.

5. 

   Apple will be filling its grounds with lots and lots of greenery. Trees, shrubs and flowers will inundate the 175-acre campus.

6. 

   Apple also released a rendering of what the campus will look like from the outside. Again, there are lots of trees.

7. 

   Speaking of trees, the various colors indicate what type of greenery will be added to the space, from love trees to – of course – Apple trees.

8. 

   Apple Campus 2 is expected to open in 2015.