ZGF Architects and Google collaborated on a new Los Angeles office space in what was once the Spruce Goose Hangar.

The place where Howard Hughes built and stored the H-4 Hercules, an airlift flying boat nicknamed the “Spruce Goose.”

Google began leasing the hangar back in 2016 and immediately started working on ways to improve and expand the space while maintaining the building’s history and meticulous craftsmanship. During the construction process, the original hangar was disassembled and logged, piece-by-piece, until it was ready for reassembly.

A vast four-story structure, which includes a bright and airy mezzanine, is located within the hangar’s original, cathedral-like wooden interior and features a design that moves employees and visitors in a diagonal fashion as opposed to a linear one.

The building’s strong Streamline Modern aesthetic has drawn comparisons to a cruise ship. However, ZGF Architect and principal designer, Kristi Paulson, noted that although she wanted to pay homage to Howard Hughes in the design process, the ocean liner similarities weren’t exactly intentional.

To ensure adequate light and airflow, ZGF designed each level of the interior building to step back from the next. This design doesn’t just showcase the juxtaposition of new and old materials; it also creates unique spaces for many different types of work for YouTube and Google employees.

According to Google spokesperson Katherine Will, the space was designed “to honor the history of the building and work for what we believe the future of work is going to be—spaces that are moldable and flexible, not tied to your desk.”

The new and improved 500,000 square foot office isn’t just a noteworthy design, the building also solidifies Google’s commitment to expanding their presence in Southern California.

Photos by Connie Zhou, courtesy of Google