"art@parc"

With the goal of bringing creative processes — and beautiful artwork! — into our corridors, PARC showcases different local artist(s)' work every quarter. Past exhibits have spanned a variety of artistic mediums and techniques, including clay, glass, metalweaving, copy art, paintings, origami, and quilts. Quarterly art receptions are open to the public; exhibits can also be viewed by appointment (contact Lisa Fahey for more information). Pictured above are images from a previous exhibit, "Core Memory" by Mark Richards.

work culture

PARC is a diverse, close-knit community (about 170 scientists/engineers and 60 business/operational staff members) drawn from a broad range of cultures, disciplines, and backgrounds. Our employees are not only leaders in their respective fields of expertise — which span computer science, engineering, linguistics, physics, psychology, sociology, and more — but are agile at transferring and adapting that expertise across diverse industries.

Our work approach is defined by addressing meaningful problems (often identified with client partners); combining expertise across multiple disciplines; and grounding insights in concrete market and behavioral understanding. Some of the collaboration and other work-practice mechanisms intrinsic to our culture include reading groups, idea contests, brainstorming sessions, rapid prototyping, field studies, trip reports, and more.

With their passion to demonstrate proof-of-concept for their visions, desire to probe for "root" understanding of problems, and ability to envision multiple possibilities, PARC people are able to transform ideas into impact on the world.

site & resources

PARC is located in the heart of Silicon Valley at the intersection of major universities, research centers, global high tech enterprises, startups, and venture capital firms. Designed to minimize external environmental impact and maximize “creative egalitarianism," the 200,000-square-foot facility is virtually invisible from the road, blending into the adjacent rolling hills and pastures through a set of cascading terraces. The facility includes an extensive test and characterization lab facilities, machine shop, prototype process line, auditorium, library with technical and business information services, dining room, and fitness center. Every office has a window with a view and every floor has multiple outdoor patios. PARC also showcases the diverse talents of local artists through our quarterly art@parc exhibit program. PARC's facility is available as a venue for meetings and conferences.

sustainability

PARC is a certified Bay Area Green Business, following an extensive qualification process (which included energy and water conservation, waste reduction, and pollution prevention measures), and has also pledged reduced C0₂ emissions as a member of EPA-award-winning Sustainable Silicon Valley. Our commitment to sustainability includes an award-winning Alternative Transportation Program that provides financial incentives to reduce single-occupancy vehicles commuting to work, an advanced reduce-reuse-recycle program that has doubled recycling output while transforming employee waste practices, and special events such as Bike-to-Work Day and Earth Day. PARC also hosts an annual fellowship for a graduate student to work on a project that addresses sustainability issues. Our cross-organizational "Green Team" and Cleantech Innovation Program began as grassroots initiatives by dedicated employees and have evolved into focused, company-wide efforts.

social responsibility

PARC employees are passionate about their work, and also about engaging with their communities. Through our Community Involvement Program and employees’ personal volunteer interests, PARC contributes funding and time (including a day off) to local non-profit organizations. Today these include Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, East Bay Stand Down, The Family Giving Tree, Girls to Women, Golden Gate Railroad Museum, Habitat for Humanity, Humane Society, The Julian Pantry, Kiva, Second Harvest Food Bank, Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition, V-O-Cal and Westwind 4-H Riding Institute for the handicapped. Over the years, PARC has engaged in varied educational programs, including annually hosting district technology leaders for an immersion experience (Association of California School Administrators), gifted students for a robotics apprenticeship (Institute for Educational Advancement), and Workscapes of the Future program for local high school students. PARC also sponsors the Computer History Museum.