Spectacular is an understatement."

With those words, Cupertino Council Member Orrin Mahoney greeted Steve Jobs' presentation to the council about his plans for a new HQ, just a few blocks down the road from the existing one located at One Infinite Loop.

Jobs replied with characteristic simplicity: "I think we have a shot at building the best office building in the world."

Take a few minutes to watch his presentation and you'll probably agree. This is Apple doing exactly the same with its headquarters as it does with its computers, its software, and its retail stores: ensuring the design is the best, no matter what the cost.

The building is circular. Apple has become expert at designing large chunks of glass, Jobs tells the Council, thanks to its investment in retail locations. In the centre of the circle is a tree-lined courtyard. Surrounding it are more trees, including apricot orchards that used to cover the site before it was bought by its previous owners, Hewlett-Packard.