Lord of the Ring

Details on the specifics of the building are slim, but based on futuristic renderings, the headquarters has already been likened to a spaceship.

Last year Apple bought a large parcel of land from Hewlett-Packard to secure the required space—150 acres—for the new campus.

Idyllic renderings from architect Norman Foster’s office suggest a working environment fused with natural surroundings.

The building will reportedly comprise 2.8 million square feet and house 13,000 employees. It will include a 1,000-person auditorium and a 300,000-square-foot research facility.

Apple describes the proposed campus as a “distinctive and inspiring 21st century workplace.”

Some architecture critics have called into question the usefulness of the building’s design.

The building is planned to offer a corporate fitness center, a central plant and associated parking.

Though there is no official cost associated with the building, Apple plans to put some money into sustainable features and expanding open space on the site.

Right now, with the current buildings in place, about 20 percent of the land is open space. Under Apples plans, open space will jump to 80 percent.

Is an enormous, ring-shaped building really the best solution to housing 13,000 employees? Despite the stunning renderings, some are doubtful.