Jobs unveils Apple's ambitious new HQ

Steve Jobs has unveiled the new Apple headquarters during a permission-asking presentation to Cupertino council.

The new Apple HQ will be a giant, four-story, glass doughnut with a "gorgeous" courtyard in the middle. It's capable of housing 12,000 employees. And Apple wants to move in in 2015.

"I think we do have a shot at building the best office building in the world," Jobs declared in a video posted on YouTube. "I really do think architecture students will come here to see this. I think it could be that good."

When Jobs unveiled Apple's plans he described the building as looking "a bit like a spaceship has landed".

"There's not a straight piece of glass in this building," he went on. "It's all curves."

On the new, larger campus - that will co-exist with the existing campus - the majority of car parking will go underground.

The result will be trees, trees and more trees - 6000, to be precise. Space occupied by landscape will rise to 80 per cent.

Apple will switch from national grid power to an on-site energy centre using natural gas and other "cleaner", "cheaper" methods.

A cafe that can feed 3000 at a sitting will be located within the giant doughnut.

In separate, external buildings there will be an auditorium for presentations, a fitness centre and R&D facilities.

When quizzed by the Cupertino council what benefits the Apple HQ will bring to the surrounding area, an unconcerned Jobs riposted.

"As you know, we're the largest tax payer in Cupertino, so we'd like to stay here and pay taxes," he said.

"If we can't, then we have to go somewhere like Mountain View and we take our current people with us."

The answer to Jobs' application was a resounding and unsurprising yes. The members of the panel were flattered by Jobs' personal appearance