Just Like Home?

Ideas in Motion

Just Like Home?

Photographed By

Garett Rowland

The current emphasis on hospitality has become a defining feature of corporate interior design. Occasionally, however, a project elevates that standard, setting a new benchmark. NetApp's Customer Experience Center in San Jose does exactly that. Conceived as a "house," the space guides visitors through a series of thoughtfully designed zones that evoke the comfort and intimacy of a private home.

The center makes a bold statement with a 64-foot-long LED screen spanning its exterior. This dynamic digital installation features evolving abstract patterns inspired by the brand narrative, celebrating NetApp, engaging the community, and encouraging spontaneous social interaction. Inside, a pitched roof structure integrated into the ceiling defines the architectural language of the space, reinforcing the overarching concept of home.

At the interior, visitors move through a sequence of intentionally crafted zones designed as a spatial journey that evokes the comfort and intimacy of a private home. Starting at the vestibule entry, each space unfolds with layered technology, encouraging encounter, reflection, and informal collaboration. Similar to home, a residential kitchen and spaces like the library and parlor focus on human-scaled experiences across smaller, thoughtfully designed areas. Conference rooms are thought of as co-creation spaces.

Inspired by California’s landscape, warm golden tones and natural wood finishes contribute to the relaxed environment. A sculptural California Cypress with bench seating strengthens the connection to nature and place.

Digital media content integrated with the architecture and tactile materials—custom tile, wood, and biophilic elements—shapes a sensory-rich setting. Interactive technology woven throughout the experience includes an immersive presentation room with doors that open to the larger space when needed for presentations and product demonstrations.

Through a series of authentic and inventive encounters, the flexible center creates a sense of welcome and interplay, recasting how technology firms engage with clients. NetApp's Customer Experience Center sets a new benchmark for experiential client-focused environments where hospitality, architecture, and brand converge.

Stay in Motion.
Sign up for IA insights—thought leadership, research, news, and stories shaping what’s next in design.

Subscribe

Marketing by
Have a project in mind?
Let's Talk

Start an Inquiry

Get in Touch

We care about protecting your data




We care about protecting your data
How we use your data

On this website we use cookies and similar technologies to process device information and (anonymised) personal data. Processing serves the integration of content, external services and third-party elements, statistical analysis/measurement, integration of social media and IT security. Depending on the function, data is passed on to and processed by third parties. When integrating social media and interactive elements, data may also be stored by providers outside the jurisdiction of the European Union; despite careful selection, a level of protection equivalent to European data protection standards cannot be guaranteed. All consents are voluntary, not required for the use of our website and can be revoked or individually adjusted at any time via the "Adjust privacy settings" link in the footer.