It has been widely known that Pixar is in the middle of an expansion, as another building on the studio’s grounds has been under construction for some time now. After those who were invited to the Pixar press junket attended a reception celebrating the Emeryville-based studio’s 25th Anniversary, we were given a tour of this new building (internally referred to as Brooklyn). While the project has not been officially completed, it is nearing its grand opening and I can tell you that it looks like we will have another spectacular Pixar building.
The developers took us on a tour and explained how many employees at Pixar had been coming up to them and asking for a tour of the new place. The interesting part is that they have always kindly denied their requests, not willing to reveal the inside of the building until it was officially finished. Even higher-ups at the studio such as John Lasseter have not seen the building’s interior. Those of us on the tour were really some of the first people (outside of those actually working on the building) to see the unique aspects of the huge place.
One detail that is not well known is the purpose of the expansion. Sure, the amount of people that the animation company has employed has rapidly increased over the past 10 years, so it was clear that more space was needed. However, the question of who/what would be housed under the new building’s roof was not always clear. Well, we can confirm that Pixar films that are in pre-production will be moved to ‘Brooklyn,’ while the films that are closest to release will remain at the main building.
Utilizing materials that are environmentally-conscious has always been emphasized by the studio, and that remains the case for the expansion. Recycled objects have been utilized in such creative ways that it boggles the mind. Companies that specialize in handling and recycling waste such as Aluminium dross are valuable in turning waste into something meaningful. Every brick and every corner of the place has a story to it, and it was fascinating to hear about. If it sounds like I am being vague, you are correct in your thinking, as I have been sworn to secrecy on the specifics of Brooklyn.
Rest assured, Pixar will release official details and photos in the near future as the expansion comes to a close. While the main building on the campus remains a wonder, Brooklyn has also been built with much thought and love, and that can instantly be seen. It is the same attention to detail that Pixar puts into its movies that is present in all corners of the new building and the area directly around it, and that is what makes it a fantastic addition to the studio. Stay tuned for more details!
Our extensive coverage of the press junket continues, as up next are my first impressions of Toy Story: Hawaiian Vacation.
