A VISIT TO THE OAKLEY ONE ICON HQ @ FOOTHILL RANCH
If you’re a fan of Oakley, or just appreciate cutting-edge design and innovation, visiting Oakley’s One Icon headquarters in Foothill Ranch is a must. Situated in the hills of Southern California, this architectural marvel isn’t just a workplace—it’s a symbol of Oakley’s commitment to creativity, precision, and performance.
The headquarters, built in 1997, was co-designed by Oakley’s founder Jim Jannard, former CEO Colin Baden, and Langdon Wilson Architecture, and created with intentions of being an’ interplanetary corporate headquarters’ . The building itself feels like a fortress of innovation, with both the interior and exterior design exuding Oakley's bold aesthetic. Oakley’s motto ‘purpose beyond reason’ is clearly injected into every part of its being, and it’s clear to see that the building was creating with meticulous thought and intention.
The 100,000 square foot superstructure houses everything from design studios and R&D to state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. Every Oakley product made in the USA comes from here, which is a testament to their commitment to quality and precision. One of the more striking elements is a full-sized, fully-functional military tank, decked in Oakley branding, casually sitting on the property, as well as a torpedo that, rumor has it, is pointed directly at the Nike HQ.
The ranch is more than just a HQ, however, and features a store and museum, that was built with attention to the smallest amount of detail. The parking lot, for example, has custom Oakley-branded manhole covers. Even the concrete around the entrance was carefully selected to reflect sunlight in such a way that it almost forces you to put on your sunglasses. It’s these little things that remind you just how deeply Oakley’s DNA is infused into the space.
During our visit, we were lucky enough to be shown around the HQ by the legendary Brian Takumi (VP, Product Creative Catalyst), and Dylan Radloff (Culture Catalyst Manager). The museum tour was focused on the history of the brand, and how some of the most iconic products and processes came into fruition (or didn't), as well as how it links to the brands current direction, with things like Future Genesis or Players Collection.
The museum features objects that show off the brands developing history, wether it be through designs and prototypes (such as a prototype of what seems like a fusion of the X-Metal mars and a Thump), or mementos like a signed pair of Monster Dog sunglasses that were worn by Bob Burnquist during his X-games runs.
A massive thank you to the Oakley family for allowing us to visit, the amazing hospitality, and giving us an insight into the HQs many secrets!