Monday, January 27, 2014

Visiting Microsoft


Last Friday, we spent the afternoon with my eldest son, Gabe. 

We met at the Microsoft Campus in Redmond, WA where he works as a computer engineer. 


We were greeted with a warm smile. 

It is a rare treat to spend an afternoon with this very busy young husband, 
dedicated employee, and new home owner. 

But he was very happy to set aside time to show us where he spends his days. 


As he took us on a quick drive around the campus he told us some interesting facts. 

Microsoft headquarters initially moved onto these grounds on Feb. 26, 1986, well before the company went public on Mar. 13th. Since then the headquarters has experienced multiple expansions. 


The campus is estimated to encompass over 8 million square feet of office space and 40,000 - 50,000 employees. Additional offices are located in Bellevue and Issaquah with nearly 100,000 employees worldwide. 


Each building is unique in a beautiful park-like setting. 

To see more photos of the most notable buildings on campus, View Here


Large stylized windows let in maximum light. 


The evening sun glows.


Shuttle buses transport employees from building to building. 

Smaller, personal shuttles operate for one or two people. 


Large greenbelts frame the campus.

This one is sporting soccer nets. 

Teams practice for the season after hours. 


Beautiful walkways lead the way to 'The Commons'. 


This is an area of shops, restaurants, hair salons, etc.

There is even a clinic.


We arrived a little after hours,
 when the majority of people had left for the weekend, 
so I had some great photo ops. 

Here one cafe has a retro-modern vibe.


This one is very futuristic.


This is an actual bicycle shop.


Bicycles are the best way to get around campus.


A miniature version of Pike Place Market.


Another retro-modern cafe. 


Each cafe serves a different menu.


On the menu.....


Tables outside overlook the Olympic Mountains off in the distance - 
 on the other side of Puget Sound. 


All drinks in the vending machines are free!


Father and Son share a laugh.


After a bite to eat, we step outside into the clear night air.


It is like stepping into the streets of a small city. 

People were casually walking by in two's and three's.

Or singly and studiously walking deep in thought. 

There was a hushed reverence in this place of world changing industry. 

Young, earnest faces walked by, shouldering lap-tops, dressed in sleek, casual clothes. 

Some of the world's brightest minds. 

A new generation of movers and shakers.

xoxo

Next time:

We visit the museum and take a peek inside the office.. 

xoxo

24 comments:

  1. Beautiful post!!!
    Thanks for sharing

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  2. wow! Thanks for sharing mrs Karen. I learned about Microsoft for my thesis last year but I never know the things inside that office until now haha. Thanks for sharing. I wish I could visit this place someday too.

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  3. Oh world of brilliant movers and shakers I think the world is in good hands. I know you are so proud of your son Gabe as you should be. Thank you this was a fascinating look into a world that is a mystery to most of us LOVE the different cafes and the shot of Father and Son. Great job in the Mom and Dad dept. Karen you have given your children the gift of believing anything is within our reach if we work hard. Hugs B

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  4. Oh wow it's like a small city! So expansive, And they really have a clinic? That's incredible.

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  5. You have a handsome son and obviously very smart. I know you are proud of him....What fun to be able to spend some time with him and see the environment where he spends his days.....It looks like a city all to its self....

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  6. a very hip little village. :) your son is very handsome.

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  7. You have a handsome and brilliant son! Thanks for taking us inside the world of the movers and shakers. A place I will never see in person. Love the names of the burgers!

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  8. Karen,
    I'm here again :-)
    I’d like to introduce you to my SWAP.
    If you love to join in, please take a look to my blog.
    Hope to hear from you soon
    xox
    Manu

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  9. This is awesome! The campus is gorgeous and looks like they really take care of their employees. I was surprised at how cheap the food is and that the drinks in the vending machines are free. How cool!

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  10. Huge company... Your son looks so happy to see you both, Loved joining your tour around Microsoft... Hugs May x x x

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  11. I know you are wonderfully proud of that nice-looking son. He is succeeding with a company that has enormous applications in today's world. Loved all the photos of the campus, too. Good luck to him!

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  12. What a great place to work! My daughter would love to work for one of these big companies... just a few more years to go! Looking forward to seeing more inside. xx

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  13. Unbelievable!!! The fact that there is everything anyone could ever need or want right there must make it a great place to work! WOW! I like how they incorporated the green spaces as well! And I just love that you were able to visit with your son! Thank you for teaching me something new today!!! A happy week to you Karen! Nicole xoxo

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  14. Wow! What an amazing campus this is at microsoft. Would never have imagined this, so really like your tour, and your son is soooooo handsome. Know you are very proud of him working in such an amazing place. Know you must have had a great visit with him. I saw the great ideas that you sent for seattle, and was especially excited to hear that Dale Chihuly was there. I loved his displays when they were in Dallas, and would be excited to see what there is in Seattle. Was also enthused to hear that the victoria clipper is still available. I love that garden in victoria.... the name escapes me right now, but it would be amazing in may i am sure. Can't wait to come as i love Seattle! It is such a great city! Have a great week Karen!

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  15. Wow! It be fun to visit!!!

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  16. wow! That is quite an impressive campus. And, your son is a very handsome young man as well.

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  17. I love the campuses of large corporations.... Back in the early 80's when Motorola was in it's hey days, they had cool campuses too, although not nearly as large as Microsofts. Thanks for this really neat tour... I enjoyed it!

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  18. That sounds and looks like a great place to work! You must be so proud of your handsome son. Thanks for the tour:)

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  19. How great to get a personal tour of this place! Great photos.

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  20. What an interesting place to work. I knew they had food areas, but never thought of shops and a clinic.

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  21. Looks like an interesting and fun place to work :) Love their menu and those prices are unbelievable! Thanks for sharing, sweet Karen. Have a warm and cheerful evening. Hugs!

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  22. Hi Karen, wow it is so nice where you son works, he must love it! TFS and for stopping by my blog today. I hope you enjoy the rest of the week.
    Julie

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  23. Es un lugar muy interesante Microsoft para trabajar,,, que tengas un óptimo día de mañana
    Besos

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Thank you for stopping by! Your comments are important to me and are very much appreciated. xx Karen

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