Innovative and inspired workspace design is prized by tech companies of all sizes. Unlike most corporate offices, with their beige walls, florescent lighting and the dreaded cubical farm, tech companies want (and need) to be cool, offering their creative employees colorful and conducive workspaces, in addition to a laundry list of amenities ranging from arcades to micro-kitchens and kegerators.
Though ultra-cool office spaces are in part inspired by companies like Google, they’re also a reflection of the industry’s culture in general, which is often influenced by where they are located. These spaces are viewed as more than just offices; they are experiences: fun, learning environments for employees that favor both diversity and flexibility. New tech ventures are committed to collaboration and co-learning – and office spaces must be designed to nurture the ways employees think, work and play.
The big guys can easily afford extravagant design elements and over-the-top perks that will attract the brightest and the best and foster the right vibe, but you don’t have to have the deep pockets of Google or Facebook to attract talent and inspire your team with a creative and well designed space. Here are some the essential elements of a well-designed tech office that are achievable even with constraints of physical size or budget:
1. Collaborative workspaces that create a broader sense of community and promote innovation
2. Informal lounge areas with plush sofas and chairs to inspire interaction
3. Multipurpose spaces that promote uninhibited creativity
4. Privacy pods or enclosed spaces that allow employees to have confidential meetings
5. Highlight successful products and achievements that reflect and foster the company culture
6. Custom art to communicate values and positively connect people with their environment
7. Flexible, movable furnishings and space dividers that allow people to sit and work together in their preferred configurations
8. Last, but not least, don’t forget the kegerator!
See some inspiring office designs on our Pinterest board!
Photo Credit: Click on image to view source.
GIO brings you a carefully curated selection of tile and stone products developed expressly for your commercial design projects. Our looks cover a range of styles to transform commercial spaces. From retail and restaurants to hospitals and hospitality, we’ve assembled an assortment of collections in styles befitting the gamut of spaces you may be called to design.
