The picture that comes to your mind when you think of the office is similar to closed confinement with tables and chairs arranged one after another, PCs sitting atop desks and a pen holder next to you. This is how any ordinary office looks from inside. While offices are one of the primary investments of any business, the look given to them is very formal and professional. Coolness quotient hardly matters for the businesses. The emphasis is solely on space management and better work conditions. From small startups to big companies, the approach of setting up an office is quite similar.
But, times have changed, and with studies proving that a better and relaxed work environment boosts productivity, businesses around the world have started focusing on creativity and coolness quotient as well. While some remain stuck to the old school approach, some are flexible enough to accept and adapt to the changing world. Leading companies like Google, Apple and AOL have already started focusing on the comfort and entertainment of employees during the working hours to keep them fresh and motivated to perform complex tasks. This provides the employees’ job satisfaction and they tend to work with complete enthusiasm. Let’s have a look at the world’s 10 coolest offices.
10. Comvert – Milan: Clothing company Comvert’s office in Milan, Italy is one of the coolest in the world. An abandoned cinema hall was renovated in a quirky style to set up the warehouse and a shop showcasing Comvert’s products. Above the warehouse is a suspended indoor skate bowl that was once the seating space for viewers who came to watch a movie. The office has many entertainment options to keep the employees fresh and motivated.
9. Facebook – Palo Alto: With huge success for its various platforms across the world Facebook has earned a reputation of keeping good care of its employees. Facebook office in Palo Alto, California is a dream for any employee. The office has big, spacious workspaces, a skate area, DJ, comfortable seats, chairs and sofa and a super cool work environment. The office conducts a poll to ask the employees the changes they want in the office.
8. Youtube – San Bruno: Youtube entertains all of us round the year. How can it leave its employees unentertained? Youtube’s office in San Bruno, California has spacious workspaces, gaming areas, a gym, a canteen, a swimming area and much more. Google has spent a handsome amount to build this luxurious office. Youtube’s office is all about working with fun.
7. Lego – Denmark: The Lego office in Denmark is colourful, bright and lively. Studded with bright lights, vibrant paintings and wonderful wall arts, the office appears like a socialising space where employees can interact freely and work without any stress. Any employee in the office can play with Lego and find new ways of getting the work done. You don’t need to be sitting in front of a computer screen for 9 hours a day.
6. Zappos – Las Vegas: If you love to be surrounded by trees and greenery, apply for a job at Zappos. Situated in Las Vegas, Nevada, this organisation understands the importance and value of its employees. One of the world’s largest online shoe retailers, Zappos encourages each employee to design their own cubicle. If you are in Vegas, you can actually take a tour of this office for free.
5. Pallotta TeamWorks – Los Angeles: You can build a super cool and attractive office in limited money and this office is proof of it. Built at a cost of just $40 per square foot, Pallotta Teamworks’ Los Angeles office is one of the coolest as far as design is concerned. Large shipping containers were painted and customised to build box-like cabins for this office. The sparkling lightning at the office gives it a very vibrant look.
4. Corus Quay – Toronto: If you decide to skip the stairs and slide through the railings to come down from your floor, you may be called unprofessional and immature in your office. Well, the Corus Quay office in Toronto has a completely different set of thoughts regarding this. Home to the Corus entertainment, the office has been labelled as Toronto’s smartest building. 11 seperate building hosting over 1100 employees have been brought together using multiple social spaces, a five-story atrium with a three-story slide and lounge above a couple of tv studios.
3. Big In Japan – Dallas: Started in 2008, Big in Japan is a Dallas based mobile app developer. The modern office has really cool decorations, spacious workspaces and a giant Hulk statue. You can watch TV while sitting on a bean bag or play your favourite game using one of the multiple gaming consoles. The office has no cubicles and everyone can see each other.
2. Parliament – Portland: The work environment at Parliament’s Portland office in Oregon is simply the coolest. A lot of reusable and recycled materials and old street signs have been used to decorate the interior. The office has a bearskin rug finishing. It is a perfect blend of old, reusable materials and modern-day engineering. Inside the office, you can click pictures better than most of the restaurants.
1. Selgas Cano – Madrid: This one is my favourite and deserves to be at the top of the list. The office is half underground and a half above the ground, situated amid giant old trees. You can see greenery from the glass window panes. The office brings engineering and nature together and is built in a forest in Madrid, Spain. The office has some awesome fun slides, really delicious food and gaming areas.
