PLACE AND URBAN EXPERIENCE IN THE SUBURBS: MICROSOFT’S CAMPUS LOCATION AND ITS LONG-TERM COMPETITIVENESS

Abstract

Microsoft is located in Redmond, WA on a sprawling suburban campus, which at one time was a competitive advantage. The desirability of suburban locations has waned and they now are faced with adapting their campus, which they are heavily invested in, to make themselves more competitive and effective as a company in the future. Engineers who wanted to live in the Pacific Northwest also have many more potential employers, which only intensifies the competitive pressure on Microsoft. This thesis examines ways in which the experience and layout of spaces can impact recruiting, business outcomes, and competitiveness then applies these lessons to Microsoft’s Redmond Campus. The role of transportation, connectivity, mixing, and embeddedness are all considered and the growing region and its impact on Microsoft is taken into account, particularly in regard to Link Light Rail. Microsoft’s Campus contains areas with the qualities of a prototypical suburban office park; the experiential qualities, promotion of car travel over other modes, and individual isolation of a typical suburban office park are found to be a liability for Microsoft and solutions are offered that address these deficiencies and synthesize the lessons learned are offered.