When you think of a typical office, what do you see? Cubicles, drab colours, desks, clinical lighting, filing cabinets? If so, you’re not alone. For most people, offices are neutral, visually uninteresting places; people sit at their identical desks, tapping away on keyboards, working and, more often than not, longing to go home. However, in recent years, a new style of office has emerged; the old unspoken rule that offices could not be ‘fun’ was finally broken and more and more unconventional, quirky offices have been popping up worldwide. Here are three of the best.
The Red Bull Building in London
The Red Bull offices in London are sleek, modern and elegant. Stainless steel, curving surfaces and modern, minimalist furnishings give it a contemporary, aesthetically dynamic appearance. A slide through the three storeys of the office allows for a Flintstones-esque departure from the office come close of business and there is a floating staircase for those less keen on sliding downstairs. As well as that, the main meeting room has a conference table that doubles as a ping pong table and the eatery in the office is top class.
The Pixar Offices in California
Pixar have created a host of films that have stolen the hearts of children and adults alike, from the charming Toy Story films to the poignant and touching “Up”, so it should come as no surprise that Pixar’s California office is quirky, colourful and completely unconventional. Employees’ offices are made to look like cosy garden sheds and there are strings of lanterns lighting up some of the hallways. Statues of much-loved Pixar characters from films such as “The Incredibles” and “Monsters Inc.” dot the corridors, bringing the fantasy and the whimsy of Pixar films to life in the office.
The Google Office in Zurich
How could any list of quirky offices be complete without mention of Google offices? Google’s off-the-wall offices are perhaps the best known as every one of their offices worldwide is unconventional. The Zurich office is perhaps the zaniest, with its converted gondola lift cars, its slide, hammocks, baths and fish tanks, making it as different from the traditional office environment as possible.
So why do companies spend so much money on creating wacky or unconventional offices? Well, wouldn’t you be much more likely to stay at work longer, to come in on weekends and even to see your work as play if you were working in an office that had more in common with a playground or a theme park than a cubicle-ridden grey building?
This article was written by office administrator Jenny Fisher who looks after all office printers and supply needs.
