Nike introduces the Serena Williams Building

By

Jennifer Braun

Published
Apr 29, 2022

Nike introduced on Wednesday the largest office building at Nike World Headquarters yet — the Serena Williams Building (SW). 

Spanning 1 million square feet, the space houses 200,000 square feet of lab space for Nike’s consumer creation teams to test new ideas in developing, presenting and merchandising Nike products.

Other specialty spaces in SW include 140,000 square feet of showrooms and work space; a footwear materials library; a color lab; and the two-story, 140-seat Olympia Theater, named after Serena’s daughter. 

The work spaces are curated to inspire by incorporating stories about athletes, sport, innovation and Nike culture. Moreover, immersive spaces with 180-degree wraparound visual projection allow Nike teams to visualize data in completely new ways. 

“Architecture has long been a creative catalyst for Nike. A manifestation of form and function following footprint, this building embodies Serena’s legacy as a force for positive change. It is the art to the LeBron James Innovation Center’s science, allowing us to know and serve athletes like never before,” said John Hoke, chief design officer.

The building equally includes a sustainability factor. In particular, 20 percent of SW, which is Leed Platinum–certified, is made up of recycled content that was harvested and manufactured locally. It is outfitted with 648 solar panels, adding to an anticipated energy-cost saving of 41 percent compared to a baseline building. Additionally, the building sits beside federally protected wetland, and is designed to preserve and supplement the environment. 

“The whole building takes your breath away,” added Serena Williams. “Every element, everywhere you go, is an opportunity to be inspired. I hope this building encourages people to bring out the best of themselves and to dream bigger than they thought possible.”