Creativity and technology are helping to reshape office spaces around the world. But what is it that creates the best office space? Is it access to world-class technology and interactive meeting rooms or is it the added comforts in the lunch room that make all the difference?
Here are five of the best offices around the world and what employees love about them.
1. Atlassian, San Francisco
Founded in Sydney in 2002, enterprise software group Atlassian has a fun and creative workspace to match the reputation of its team. The company offers many generous perks for staff including a family holiday after five years of service. The San Francisco office is located in a converted warehouse in East SoMa and features meeting pods and a large lunch room with table tennis. The company also has similar quirky offices in Sydney, London and Amsterdam.
2. Thinkgarden, Milan
Thinkgarden markets itself as a creative business and its office space incorporates a co-working space with business lounge. There are plenty of indoor gardens spread throughout the office. The office features a relaxing environment for staff with foliage and function at the core of its purpose. The aim of the design is for Thinkgarden employees to isolate themselves from the hustle and bustle of the city without giving up their link to the world.
3. Facebook
Since it first hit the social media scene, Facebook has long been envied by tech-savvy workers around the world for their updated and trend-setting office spaces. Facebook are considered pioneers of office design innovation as the company encourages its teams to make workspaces their own. The London office has a Kombi van hideout and the Boston office has open plan lounge seating.The company’s global headquarters is located in Menlo Park, California and was designed by architect Frank Gehry. The head office has a number of restaurants for employees, a ball pit meeting room and swings. In Sydney, the office is much smaller but still features fun quirks for employees including game zones, beanbags and an oversized chessboard.
4. ASB Bank, Auckland
The bank known for embracing technology follows activity-based working principals. ASB Bank’s head office at North Wharf in New Zealand is designed to help employees work in business unit neighbourhoods and open spaces. The fitout of the office is designed to keep conversations from being heard, despite the open plan design of the office.
5. Dropbox, Sydney
Dropbox was named Sydney’s coolest office space in 2016, beating fierce competition from Facebook and Google. From an in house barrister and chef who makes free breakfasts and lunches for staff, to a well-stocked after hours’ fridge and giant television screens, the office was built with employee’s wellbeing in mind. The tech giant’s office embodies relaxing vibes with an open plan workplace, designed to look like home.Bookshelves line the walls, plants decorate the rooms and Scandinavian-style wood gives it a cosy feel. There are also yoga mats, table tennis, gaming consoles and an indoor patio for employees to utilise.
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