Drones Above Microsoft Revolutionize its Campus Rebuild

Microsoft recently issued an update on the progress of its multibillion-dollar campus revitalization and modernization project in Redmond, Washington, and, as one would expect of the computing software giant, construction work is progressing with a little help from some of the most high-tech tools available. Namely, an eye in the sky— drone technology.

It’s been more than 30 years since Microsoft settled on the Seattle suburb as its corporate office home, so the buildings and grounds are long due for a facelift, but the company is not just aiming for aesthetics. In its pursuit of a functional yet “healthy and inspiring” workplace for its employees, Microsoft will:

Construct 17 new buildings, all between 180,000 square feet and 220,000 square feet, which will be split into four villages.
Include accessibility features throughout the campus.
Add atriums and courtyards to bring in daylight and to provide employees with outdoor access
Align with local ecology in its quest for sustainability.
Build a pedestrian bridge and new light-rail station .

Make the campus mostly vehicle-free, with the exception of the development’s periphery and underground parking.
The company has been underway with a 7-million-square-foot program of renovations, and, according to The Seattle Times, will max out the 2.5 million square feet for new construction allotted to it by the city in 2006. The net increase in space will be 1.3 million square feet added on to its existing 10 million square feet.