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"Apple's Flying Saucer Auditorium\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Grand Entrance\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUnidentified Flying Apple\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhat's Downstairs \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAerial View \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Spacecraft at Rest \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAmid all the excitement around Apple\u2019s recent iPad event, some of us may have missed a new set of images for the company\u2019s new campus that emerged in the last couple of weeks. The drawings depict an event auditorium that mirrors the flying saucer aesthetic of the main building, but in a much more interesting way. \nSee also: iPhone 5S vs. the Competition\nFound in a set of images posted to the Cupertino City Hall website, discovered by the Apple Gazette, the circular, glass enclosed structure is actually an entrance to an underground auditorium. \nAdditional images shared on the website of one of the architects working for the firm contracted to build Apple's new headquarters also show off aerial and side views of the structure. \nMirroring the architectural approach of Apple\u2019s Fifth Avenue glass cube building, the outside is completely made of glass, topped off by a white disc, which from a distance makes the roof appear as if it's hovering in mid-air. \nIncluded in the building\u2019s design are two circular elevators leading to the underground facility, another architectural touch borrowed from the Fifth Avenue store. \nThe 1,000 seat auditorium, along with the distinctive main building, are expected to be completed sometime in 2016. \nBONUS: 9 Awesomely Beautiful Apple Store Designs \n\n\n9 Innovative, Beautiful Apple Store Designs\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPudong (Shanghai)\nApple made its Louvre-like design famous in New York, but Shanghai\u2019s stunning cylindrical glass entrance is a sight to see. A glass spiral staircase leads shoppers to the store below. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nParis, France\nThe Apple Op\u00E9ra Store \u2013 facing the city\u2019s famous Opera de Paris, is gorgeous and very Parisian. The location, which opened in 2010, features original d\u00E9cor from the bank that once occupied the space. Inside, carved wooden stairs with wrought-iron railings connect the floors, instead of Apple\u2019s signature glass and chrome steps. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAix en Provence, France\nThis artist rendering recently appeared in AixEnProvence.fr magazine and is said to be the design for Apple\u2019s latest location in Aix en Provence, France. According to the image, the store will be a low-lying building made entirely of glass walls with just one solid, wood wall where the Genius Bar would be. It\u2019s expected to open in late 2012 or early 2013.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCovent Garden, London\nThe Apple Store in Covent Garden is the heart of London. It features sweeping, covered archways outside the historic store and a central see-through ceiling inside. The interior also features two glass staircases, a spiral and a square-shaped one.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGrand Central, New York\nWhat sets the Grand Central Station store in New York City apart from others \u2013 in addition to its record size of 23,000 square feet, making it the largest in the world \u2013 is its location. The store overlooks and wraps around the main concourse of New York\u2019s classic commuter station from the East and North East balconies of the main concourse, which serves as a beautiful backdrop to the Apple experience.  Some 750,000 people pass by the store in an average day.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNanjing East (Shanghai)\nInstead of Apple\u2019s typical square-like exterior, the coating of glass that lines the Nanjing East (Shanghai) store is rounded on its corners. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSanlitun (Bejing)\nApple\u2019s flagship store in Bejing in its Sanlitun shopping distract made the news recently after angry customers tossed eggs at the location after it cancelled the launch of the iPhone 4S -- due to the amount of people that flocked to the store and to ensure safety in the area. Launched in 2008, this was the company\u2019s first Apple store in China. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIFC Mall (Hong Kong)\nApple\u2019s flagship store in Hong Kong \u2013 which launched in September 2011 \u2013 is unique in that it sits on what resembles an overpass, so cars can drive below.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFifth Avenue, New York\nApple\u2019s Fifth Avenue flagship store in New York has become iconic for its Louvre-like glass design and plunging glass staircase. Launched in 2006, the store is now a model for innovative design. Apple recently renovated the glass cube for an estimated cost of $6.6 million. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHave something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.\nImages: Cupertino City Hall"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2013/10/27/apple-spaceship-campus-auditorium/>