According to documents from the Port of San Francisco, the now-famous mystery structure is intended to be an exhibition space and draw people to the San Francisco bay waterfront. November 7, 2013 7:44 PM PST A look at the so-called Google Barge from San Francisco bay. (Credit: Josh Miller/CNET) The once-mysterious Google Barge is becoming less and less so every day. A new report from The San Francisco Chronicle suggests that the large structure currently under construction in San Francisco Bay is intended to be a large exhibition space, covered in sails, and meant to be docked in various places around the bay for a month or so at a time, and then set sail for other cities on the West Coast. Up close with Google's mystery barge (pictures) 1-2 of 12 Scroll Left Scroll Right The Chronicle's report is based on documents it received from the Port of San Francisco, which show detailed plans for the barge-based structure, which CNET was first to connect to Google. CNET had previously requested information about the project from the Port of San Francisco, but was told the agency had none. According to the documents, which the Chronicle received via a Freedom of Information Act request, the structure's builder went into some details about what it was supposed to be: When it's done, the barge's backers say, the 50-foot-tall, 250-foot-long structure made of recycled shipping containers will be flanked by sails "reminiscent of fish fins, which will remind visitors that they are on a seaworthy vessel." "The structure will stand out," the team says, in what is probably an understatement. By and Large LLC, which submitted the barge documents, refers to the vessel as a "studio" and "temporary technology exhibit space." It says its goal is to "drive visitation to the waterfront." The barge's exhibit space, it says, will be for "local organizations to engage with guests and gain visibility in a unique way." "We envisioned this space with community in mind," By and Large says, "a surprising environment that is accessible to all and inspires conversation about how everything is connected -- shorebirds, me, you, the sea, the fog and much more." On Wednesday, Google spoke publicly for the first time about what has become known widely as "Google barge:" "Google Barge ... A floating data center? A wild party boat? A barge housing the last remaining dinosaur? Sadly, none of the above," Google said in a statement. "Although it's still early days and things may change, we're exploring using the barge as an interactive space where people can learn about new technology." The Chronicle's story doesn't address the ultimate purpose of a second Google barge that is currently located in Portland, Maine. But it is safe to assume that Google had very much the same goal in mind for that structure.
According to documents from the Port of San Francisco, the now-famous mystery structure is intended to be an exhibition space and draw people to the San Francisco bay waterfront.
A look at the so-called Google Barge from San Francisco bay.
(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)
The once-mysterious Google Barge is becoming less and less so every day.
A new report from The San Francisco Chronicle suggests that the large structure currently under construction in San Francisco Bay is intended to be a large exhibition space, covered in sails, and meant to be docked in various places around the bay for a month or so at a time, and then set sail for other cities on the West Coast.
The Chronicle's report is based on documents it received from the Port of San Francisco, which show detailed plans for the barge-based structure, which CNET was first to connect to Google.
CNET had previously requested information about the project from the Port of San Francisco, but was told the agency had none.
According to the documents, which the Chronicle received via a Freedom of Information Act request, the structure's builder went into some details about what it was supposed to be:
When it's done, the barge's backers say, the 50-foot-tall, 250-foot-long structure made of recycled shipping containers will be flanked by sails "reminiscent of fish fins, which will remind visitors that they are on a seaworthy vessel."
"The structure will stand out," the team says, in what is probably an understatement.
By and Large LLC, which submitted the barge documents, refers to the vessel as a "studio" and "temporary technology exhibit space." It says its goal is to "drive visitation to the waterfront."
The barge's exhibit space, it says, will be for "local organizations to engage with guests and gain visibility in a unique way."
"We envisioned this space with community in mind," By and Large says, "a surprising environment that is accessible to all and inspires conversation about how everything is connected -- shorebirds, me, you, the sea, the fog and much more."
On Wednesday, Google spoke publicly for the first time about what has become known widely as "Google barge:" "Google Barge ... A floating data center? A wild party boat? A barge housing the last remaining dinosaur? Sadly, none of the above," Google said in a statement. "Although it's still early days and things may change, we're exploring using the barge as an interactive space where people can learn about new technology."
The Chronicle's story doesn't address the ultimate purpose of a second Google barge that is currently located in Portland, Maine. But it is safe to assume that Google had very much the same goal in mind for that structure.
