Imagine working in an office that looks like a spaceship, or perhaps one that’s part rainforest. Just think of the ideas you could come up with while lying in a bathtub filled with foam, staring at dreamy-looking fish tanks. It may sound too good to be true, but for Google employees around the world, imaginative and unusual designer workspaces are a daily reality.
Meeting pods at Google’s Zurich office. Photo: Peter Wurmli via Camenzind Evolution.
Everywhere from Zurich to Tel Aviv, Google offices are great examples of work environments with a difference. Looking at these photographs, you get the impression that designers have been allowed to let their creativity run wild. They’ve managed to come up with environments that are inspirational and conducive to work, yet comfortable and inviting at the same time. It’s a far cry from the way we tend to picture the daily grind, and with such variety, there’s sure to be something for everyone.
Designer fun at the Tel Aviv office. Photo: Itay Sikolski.
According to Google, “Though no two Google offices are the same, visitors to any office can expect to find a few common features: murals and decorations expressing local personality; Googlers sharing cubes, yurts and “huddles”; video games, pool tables and pianos; cafes and “micro kitchens” stocked with healthy food; and good old fashioned whiteboards for spur-of-the-moment brainstorming.” But see for yourself.
7. New York, USA (Chelsea Market Space)
A lounge room at the New York office. Photo: Marcin Wichary.
Dragging yourself to work on a Monday morning is made far more bearable at Google’s Chelsea Market Space-based office in New York City. The office includes this open lounge room, complete with a slide - which is definitely more fun than just taking the stairs.
Seating area in the Water Tower Café. Photo: Marcin Wichary.
When it comes to lunch, employees are spoiled for choice, with five separate cafeterias. One of them is the unusual Water Tower Café, which actually looks a bit like a sauna. Yet whatever it resembles, the fact that employees can eat here for free is bound to make meal times more fun.
A super-stylish micro kitchen. Photo: Marcin Wichary.
Thanks to its calming green colour scheme, this micro kitchen seems like a relaxing place for Googlers to hang out in; in fact, it’s reminiscent of a bar. Google’s Chelsea Market office benefits more than just its employees, though, as the company has created a free WiFi zone that’s the largest in New York City. It’s a move that’s bound to have made them popular with the neighbours.
6. Tel Aviv, Israel
Fun and games at Google’s Tel Aviv office. Photo: Itay Sikolski via Camenzind Evolution.
Google’s Tel Aviv office opened towards the end of December 2012. Designers have drawn inspiration from nature, with lifelike trees scattered around an office that also uses the colours of the desert and the ocean. And as shown in the image above, there’s enough room for a bit of fun as well.
Seats with a view at the Tel Aviv office. Photo: Itay Sikolski via Camenzind Evolution.
The office is spread out over eight floors of the well-known Electra Tower. Swiss design firm Camenzind Evolution worked with Israeli design companies Setter Architects and Studio Yaron Tal to create the fabulous workspace. With the stunning ocean and city views visible from the building, the designers had to ensure that the office interior was equally impressive.
A picturesque seating area. Photo: Itay Sikolski via Camenzind Evolution.
One of the features of the Tel Aviv office that stands out is the high number of meeting spaces it contains. Almost half of the office space has been allocated to communication zones where employees can work together. That said, in this particular seating area it might be hard not to get distracted by the view.
5. Zurich, Switzerland
Meeting capsules at Google’s Zurich office. Photo: Peter Wurmli via Camenzind Evolution.
Before starting work on Google’s Zurich office, Camenzind Evolution interviewed the employees who would be working there. The Googlers - or Zooglers, as they’re known in Zurich - asked for practical private workspaces and fun and creative communal spaces. They also requested “enjoyable and entertaining qualities to stimulate creativity, innovation and collaboration.”
A “train carriage” conference room. Photo: Peter Wurmli via Camenzind Evolution.
This mini conference room recreates a train, complete with colourful graffiti. There are small meeting spaces like this all over the Zurich office. Some are modelled on ski resorts, others look like New York taxis, and then there are the strange alien pods.
A good place to think. Photo: Peter Wurmli via Camenzind Evolution.
Then, when the tension gets unbearable, Zooglers can relax and unwind in this darkened room, while looking at soothing fish tanks. The only danger here we could imagine would be falling asleep and forgetting to go home.
4. London, England (Soho)
A meeting space at Google’s office in Soho, London. Photo: Martin Varsavsky.
Google has three offices in London, and this is their Soho campus. Architects Penson Group (who also worked on Google’s London Victoria office) designed the 160,000-square-foot office to be both comfortable and visually inspiring. Complete with plush cushions and bright colours, parts of the office look as if they’ve taken inspiration from the ‘70s.
Vault chic. Photo: Martin Varsavsky.
It’s not all squishy pillows and comfy cushions, though. The airlock-style door and black and orange colouring give this large room a definite futuristic feel. This is where Googlers come to lift weights and keep in shape.
A colourful conference space. Photo: Martin Varsavsky.
A bright blue curtain sections off this meeting room. But aesthetics aside, the Soho offices have been designed with the environment in mind, and many of the materials used for construction were recycled or reclaimed. What’s more, the principle is still adhered to now: as you can see, the waste is separated to make recycling easy.
3. Moscow, Russia
The central meeting area at Google’s Moscow office. Photo: G. Smirnov via Camenzind Evolution.
Here, in the Moscow office’s hub, Googlers can meet, talk and relax under an inviting-looking tree that looks straight out of a Russian fairy tale. Unlike in regular offices, the lighting here is intimate and magical-seeming.
A spacious cafeteria. Photo: G. Smirnov via Camenzind Evolution.
After interviewing Google employees in Moscow, design firm Camenzind Evolution found that workers wanted an office that reflected the company’s values and identity with a local twist. The cafeteria, for example, took inspiration from classical Russian dining rooms, and local monks made the tiles of the buffet counters.
Reception at the Moscow Google office. Photo: G. Smirnov via Camenzind Evolution.
The Moscow office’s main reception area features brickwork reflective of the Kremlin. This being Google, though, it’s not all serious, and the office space also contains table tennis and video gaming spaces.
2. London, England (Victoria)
Designer seats at the Victoria office. Photo: Marcin Wichary.
Compared to Google’s Soho London workplace, the office in Victoria seems to take a more minimal approach - although it’s no less impressive. These chairs have a ‘60s feel, which is enhanced by the bright orange lamp and the coffee tables. The local flavour is also obvious.
Iconic “Googleboxes” at Google’s Victoria office. Photo: Marcin Wichary.
These big red phone boxes are called “Googleboxes.” We imagine they don’t have any actual payphones inside, but the beanbags on the floor mean they could be a good place for a private call on one’s cell phone. As you can see, Google branding is a prominent design element at the Victoria office.
Free bumper car parking. Photo: Marcin Wichary.
One characteristic shared by Google offices all over the world is an element of fun. We’re guessing that the bumper car in this photograph doesn’t actually move, but Google’s Victoria employees are soon set to. In 2016, the company is planning to relocate from Victoria to King’s Cross. No doubt, the new office will be even more spectacular.
1. Stockholm, Sweden
A kitchen and games room at Google’s Stockholm office. Photo: Bruno Ehrs via Camenzind Evolution.
Google’s Stockholm office was also designed by Camenzind Evolution. Like the Tel Aviv and Moscow offices, the Stockholm headquarters reflect the values of Google both internationally and locally. Thus, many Swedish elements were included.
A table tennis cafeteria. Photo: Bruno Ehrs via Camenzind Evolution.
The cafeteria pictured was designed to bring people together like a traditional town square. It’s located between the engineering side of the office, which was created with rural Sweden in mind, and the sales and marketing side, which used more urban design elements.
A “moo-ving” designer meeting room. Photo: Bruno Ehrs via Camenzind Evolution.
Meanwhile, the meeting rooms all have different themes based on Swedish inventors and inventions. This one is a tribute to Gustaf de Laval, who made huge contributions to the dairy industry in the late 19th century.
Google office in Soho, London. Photo: Martin Varsavsky.
“What’s important is recognizing [that] people don’t necessarily work best sitting at a desk,” says Google London’s Director of Operations Matt Brittin. “Playing on the Wii or going for a run might fuel new ideas. We look after our staff so that they want to come to work.” Looking at the offices, it seems as though this is a philosophy Google takes seriously.
Top image: A curtained-off conference area at the Google Zurich office. Photo: Peter Wurmli via Camenzind Evolution.
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