Internet companies have somewhat broken the mould when it comes to office design, as many businesses which require constant adaptation to technological advances and place a high value on forward thinking also take that attitude towards their place of work.
As a result, “fun” business premises with slides, adult-sized playgrounds and even bars have begun to spring up as employers attempt to make the most of their employees’ creative minds.
Now e-retailer Amazon has jumped on the alternative office bandwagon, and has revealed its intention to create a futuristic United States headquarters in Seattle. It will be following in the footsteps of technology and internet giants Apple and Google, both of which have foregone a traditional workplace setting in order to create a unique environment for employees.
Amazon originally planned for a six storey rectilinear building following a more conventional workplace layout; however, this was not seen as daring enough. Instead, the 65,000 square foot space will consist of “a series of intersecting spheres with ample space for a wide range of planting material.”
Essentially, then, the company is focusing on the theory that living plant life will stimulate the minds of workers, combining mature trees with glass and metal framework in order to create an eco-building of sorts. The building will also contain designated “botanical zones modelled on ecologies found around the globe” which will contrast with the more formal dining, meeting and lounging spaces.
In a statement, Amazon said; “While the form of the building will be visually reminiscent of a greenhouse or conservatory, plant material will be selected for its ability to co-exist in a microclimate that also suits people.”
Amazon’s project certainly sounds very exciting, but it must be pointed out that futuristic buildings of this kind will cost a much greater amount than the standard office building which has been the workplace format for some time now. The question, then, is whether this expense is worthwhile and if these environments do allow for greater worker output and creative thinking?
French architect Jean Nouvel certainly agrees that alternative solutions to the “grey cultural world” of the traditional purpose-built office could improve the outlook of workers. He argues that many workers would prefer to work in their home environment or in a building not conforming to our view of an office as he believes “general solutions are bad for everyone”.
In other words by making a workplace more relaxed or stimulating, with designated quiet areas for more challenging tasks, creativity is less likely to be stifled by dull surroundings.
“The office today is a repetition of the same space for everyone.
“You have a frame and you have the right to a number of squares in this frame, so it’s only a functional and rational approach – general solutions are bad solutions for everyone.
“We don’t have to repeat and to clone exactly the same organisation and the same furniture for everyone, he told Dezeen.”
Diversity, then, seems to be the watchword for forward thinking businesses looking to add a little something to their offices. However, before ripping out the staircase and installing a water slide, it may be best to assess whether a less formal setting will really be the best solution for your business!
Do you think scrapping the traditional office template in order to inject some diversity would increase output and creativity in your workplace?
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