Most of the companies for whom those offices were created are already broadly known: perhaps anyone can recognize a part of their brand identity incorporated into their offices. But what is more important, they have seemingly become pioneers in a very different, contemporary office culture which throws away the old segregated cubicle and celebrates an open space, free flow of people and ideas and the blurring of the thick line between work and play.
With the advancing of digital technologies and mobility, the concept of workspace is to be redefined. As companies began to employ design as not simply a functional background, but rather a key and active element in shaping their identity and conveying a message, they have also began to reevaluate its potential for creating a productive environment. What is striking is the overall, bold introduction of entertainment and encouraging communication between people: perhaps behind those lies the entirely rational understanding that a happy and playful person is more motivated and active and perhaps in times of intensive competition and global shifts, a strong and energetic team is the biggest asset.
It’ll be a long time before installing slides leading to a gourmet cafeteria becomes a worldwide corporate standard, but most of those companies have been instrumental in creating global trends. And looking at their new offices, we can probably see pieces and bits of the future where for the lucky ones of us work will be truly fun.
22
buildings
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Built / Mexico, Mexico City GOOGLEby Space -
Built / United Kingdom, Sheffield Electric Works -
Built / Spain, Madrid Selgas Cano Architecture Office -
Built Bau Sallinger Office -
Built / Israel, Israel Autodesk R&D Centerby STUDIO BA -
Built / Australia, Adelaide Public Trustee South Australia -
Built / Sweden, Stockholm NO PICNIC -
Built / London Offices for International Shipping Companyby SHH -
Built / Greece, Athens So Close To The Ground -
Sweden, Stockholm Skype Office In Stockholm -
Built / Japan, setagaya-ku Switchby YUKO SHIBATA OFFICE and Yuko Shibata -
Completed / France, Paris Cardboard Officeby Paul Coudamy -
Built / United States of America, Palo Alto Facebook Headquartersby O + A -
Completed / Poland, Warsaw Main Offices for Velux -
Completed / Australia, Surry Hills Moove Media Office -
Completed / Germany, Berlin MTV Networks Headquartersby dan pearlman -
Completed / United States of America, Highland Township Red Bull Officesby COA -
Completed / Singapore Leo Burnett Office -
Completed / Netherlands, Amsterdam Nothing Office -
Completed / United Kingdom, London Google Offices
