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Chapter 3: The future of work in Europe: job quality and work organisation for a smart, sustainable and inclusive growth
Box 7: Office design integrating work, team space, privacy, entertainment and relaxation
The following is an example of how a contemporary multinational may try to recreate the informal start-up working envi-
ronment that, in the opinion of its proponents, unleashes creativity and, according to its adversaries, blurs the line between
129
working and private lives. Google’s Zurich office is a very special case that became famous for its innovative design ( ) taking
a radical step away from the norm. The design combines teamwork, privacy and individual work, entertainment, meditation
and relaxation.
The (partially) open-plan office space is dotted with egg-shaped wigwams or arctic domes that serve as small meeting rooms.
Some meeting rooms feature reclining chairs and sofas. Some people work with laptops while sitting in hammock-like facili-
ties in tropical island-themed rooms. Some offices have a beach theme with sand, pebbles and lifebuoys. Some conference
call rooms have a thematic design, e.g. ottoman-style sofas with a baldachin and other accessories. Some are styled as ski
lifts or taxis, feature alpine designs or urban graffiti. The library is styled as a Victorian English parlour.
There is a quiet room where people go to relax or take a nap that features reclining chairs and a bathtub filled with foam
in front of a fish tank. There are massage rooms. Google offers free breakfast, lunch and dinner all cooked by an in-house
chef. There is a slide that drops employees into the eating area (a fun way to get to lunch). There are also poles allowing
workers to drop down a floor. There are work-out spaces in the offices, as well as games: billiards, table football, ping pong,
a basketball corner and a music stage.
How far this is replicated across the company or encouraged among its associates and suppliers is less clear, however. Also,
time will show if this concept, in its current innovative yet very unusual form, will set a new trend in office design or remain
an amusing yet unsuccessful path of corporate culture evolution.
( ) See http://www.businessinsider.com/googles-zurich-office-2013-2?op=1
129
191
Box 7: Office design integrating work, team space, privacy, entertainment and relaxation
The following is an example of how a contemporary multinational may try to recreate the informal start-up working envi-
ronment that, in the opinion of its proponents, unleashes creativity and, according to its adversaries, blurs the line between
129
working and private lives. Google’s Zurich office is a very special case that became famous for its innovative design ( ) taking
a radical step away from the norm. The design combines teamwork, privacy and individual work, entertainment, meditation
and relaxation.
The (partially) open-plan office space is dotted with egg-shaped wigwams or arctic domes that serve as small meeting rooms.
Some meeting rooms feature reclining chairs and sofas. Some people work with laptops while sitting in hammock-like facili-
ties in tropical island-themed rooms. Some offices have a beach theme with sand, pebbles and lifebuoys. Some conference
call rooms have a thematic design, e.g. ottoman-style sofas with a baldachin and other accessories. Some are styled as ski
lifts or taxis, feature alpine designs or urban graffiti. The library is styled as a Victorian English parlour.
There is a quiet room where people go to relax or take a nap that features reclining chairs and a bathtub filled with foam
in front of a fish tank. There are massage rooms. Google offers free breakfast, lunch and dinner all cooked by an in-house
chef. There is a slide that drops employees into the eating area (a fun way to get to lunch). There are also poles allowing
workers to drop down a floor. There are work-out spaces in the offices, as well as games: billiards, table football, ping pong,
a basketball corner and a music stage.
How far this is replicated across the company or encouraged among its associates and suppliers is less clear, however. Also,
time will show if this concept, in its current innovative yet very unusual form, will set a new trend in office design or remain
an amusing yet unsuccessful path of corporate culture evolution.
( ) See http://www.businessinsider.com/googles-zurich-office-2013-2?op=1
129
191
