# Nathan John > Global Workplace Design Lead @ Google | Workplace Design, Real Estate Location: Oakland, California, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/nathanjohn Experienced design leader with deep expertise in workplace design, user experience research, needs mapping, real estate strategy, and operational models. Currently spearheading the definition of innovative, scalable solutions for workspace, meeting environments, and workplace support systems while aligning cost and user experience priorities across Google's extensive global real estate portfolio. Over the past two years, led the development and scaling of Google's signature Future Workplace offerings, seamlessly integrating design, delivery, and technology. Champion for novel space concepts and operational models; creator of highly successful executive engagement and strategic needs assessment processes. Dedicated to creating adaptable, efficient spaces that enhance organizational productivity and employee experience. ## Work Experience ### Global Workplace Design Lead @ Google Jan 2024 – Present | San Francisco Bay Area Category lead for workspace, meeting spaces, and workplace support across Google's global real estate portfolio. Responsible for defining what "good" looks like in the spaces that support Google's core business, including user experience, cost, and real estate implications. ### Lead Product Manager @ Google Jan 2022 – Jan 2024 | San Francisco Bay Area Full-scope responsibility (design, delivery, operations, technology integration, costing) for one of Google’s signature Future Workplace offerings, leading development from prototype to scale. Also leading development of novel collaboration space type / operational model. Created Strategic Workplace Needs engagement process to support new workplace solution development; have interviewed 50+ Google executives using this methodology. ### Head Of Architecture @ Google Jan 2021 – Jan 2022 | Mountain View, California, United States Led development of innovative real estate and workplace initiatives at multiple scales to drive more efficient, sustainable, and scalable processes and outcomes across Google’s real estate portfolio, including key areas of Google’s “Future Workplace” solutions and "buy vs. build" decisions for critical areas of Google's real estate portfolio. Focus areas included evolving costing, operational and architectural models for core workplace and next gen collaboration. Developed and deployed workflows for piloting, researching, and reporting on novel solutions. ### Architectural Design Lead @ Google R+D Lab for the Built Environment Jan 2020 – Jan 2021 | Mountain View, California, United States Led a team responsible for multiple workstreams aimed at improving experiential outcomes, sustainability, and efficiency for buildings and spaces throughout the Google real estate portfolio. Worked across operations, design, sourcing, procurement, and construction teams on initiatives including unitized microkitchens, unitized restrooms, prefabricated interior partitions, and mass timber systems. ### Lecturer @ University of California, Berkeley Jan 2019 – Jan 2020 | Berkeley, California, United States Lecturer in architecture + environmental design. ### Partner @ envelope A+D Jan 2019 – Jan 2020 | San Francisco Bay Area As Partner, Nathan led key areas of envelope A+D's practice, including flexible architectural systems, iterative placemaking, community engagement, public space design, brand-aligned environments, and interactive public artworks. ### Associate Partner @ envelope A+D Jan 2017 – Jan 2018 | San Francisco Bay Area Project principal for key projects, including the Hunters Point Shoreline, a new public open space on the former site of the Hunters Point Power Plant, and the collaboration with Toronto-based startup North, which included flagship showrooms in Toronto and Brooklyn. Contributed to day-to-day firm management and decision-making, as well as strategic planning. ### Designer + Project Manager @ envelope A+D Jan 2013 – Jan 2016 | Berkeley, CA Design and project management at a range of scales. Projects included: PG+E Hunters Point Project, encompassing streetscape, shoreline, and interim use components; NOW Hunters Point, a temporary urban intervention; and The Lot @ Foundry 31. ### Graduate Student Instructor @ UC Berkeley Jan 2011 – Jan 2013 | College of Environmental Design Taught essential design, representational and critical skills as an Instructor for Environmental Design 1 - People and Environmental Design, as well as [IN]ARCH, the CED's pre-professional summer program. Led and supervised sections of around twenty students, including design critiques, grading, and developing lesson plans. ### John K. Branner Fellow @ UC Berkeley Jan 2012 – Jan 2013 | College of Environmental Design A one year global research fellowship, focusing on temporary installations in public space as a window into new modes of design, fabrication and practice in architecture. ### Manager, New York City Streets Renaissance @ Transportation Alternatives Jan 2008 – Jan 2009 Responsible for all New York City Streets Renaissance activities, inluding managing multiple employees, budgeting, and new initiatives. Notable projects include the creation of Park(ing) Day Redux, at Eyebeam Art + Technology Center ### Coordinator, New York City Streets Renaissance @ Transportation Alternatives Jan 2007 – Jan 2008 Oversaw day-to-day operations. Notable projects include pilot season of Block Party NYC, and expansion of Park(ing) Day NYC to over 50 sites ## Education ### Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) University of California, Berkeley Jan 2009 – Jan 2013 ### BA in Politics & Photography Sarah Lawrence College Jan 2001 – Jan 2006 ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nsjohn --- Source: https://flows.cv/nathanjohn JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/nathanjohn/resume.json Last updated: 2026-04-07