mysterybarge
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Here's what Google's mystery barge is going to look like
What's 50-feet tall, 250-feet long and outfitted with decorative "fish fin" sails? Google's so-called mystery barge, apparently. Mum's still the word in Mountain View, but at the Port of San Francisco, details about the floating technology scow are starting to emerge. Documents obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle through the Freedom of Information Act describe an "unprecedented artistic structure" built from recycled shipping containers with collapsable sails "reminiscent of fish fins, which will remind visitors that they are on a seaworthy vessel." It's also expected to carry 1,000 visitors a day, docking at ports in San Francisco, Fort mason, Redwood City and at the Riveter Historical National Park in Richmond. On board, an exhibition area will be used for "local organizations to engage with guests and gain visibility in a unique way." Although the above statements come from paperwork filed by a firm called By and Large LLC, they closely match the simple description Google issued earlier this week, which said it was "exploring using the barge as an interactive space where people can learn about new technology." That plan still seems to be in the early stages though, as the Port of San Francisco says the documents are just part of a preliminary proposal. It seems like Google still has some permits to hurdle before it can finish the sea-bound showroom, but the documents promises it'll be a sight to see in the end. "The artistic structure combines innovative architecture with a bit of nautical whimsy," it says. "The structure will stand out." Sounds like it.
Google finally talks barges: it's an 'interactive space where people can learn about new technology'
It's stayed mum as speculation has run rampant about just what the "mystery barges" under construction in San Francisco and Portland, Maine will actually be used for, but Google has now finally offered its first official comment on the matter. In a statement provided to TechCrunch, a Google spokesperson says that while "it's still early days and things may change," the company is "exploring using the barge as an interactive space where people can learn about new technology." That mostly lines up with a report from San Francisco TV station KPIX 5 last week that the barges would serve as a "high-end showroom," although Google seems to be downplaying the existence of a "party deck." Unfortunately, the company still isn't offering much more than that brief comment, so it remains to be seen just what those interactive spaces will look like.
