Many of us will be worrying about money, relationships and our jobs in the current economic climate, so much so that returning to the stress-free days of our childhood may seem like an attractive prospect. Well, for those who work for IT company Peer 1 Hosting in Southampton, this dream has come true – their workplace now boasts a helter skelter, cinema and giant swing!
Do fun offices based on the Google model boost performance?
Office designers Space & Solutions were instructed by the company to turn their office, a former pub, into “the best place in the UK to work.” In order to meet this brief, lead designer Sarah O’Callaghan says she kept fun and play at the heart of the 17,000 sq ft project.
As a result, the property contains a putting green and pool table for those wishing to engage in a little light competition with their colleagues, while anyone wishing for a simple time out can visit the tree house or log cabins situated by the coffee shop.
There is also a bar for the, er, bigger kids in the office!
Mrs O’Callaghan is satisfied with the results of her imaginative design, saying; “It is a very young and forward thinking company – the whole space has been designed with the help of the staff.
“There was a huge consultation process that has been amalgamated into what we see here.
“I think there are times when people use their initiative a hell of a lot more because of their environment.”
Peer 1 Hosting’s managing director, Dominic Monkhouse, agrees that their surroundings can help get his employees’ creative juices flowing.
He says; “People tend to go through highs and lows throughout the day, but if you do something different for a few minutes your performance goes up.”
The office is located at the end of a pier, providing the staff with beautiful views to go with their unique surroundings. Two flats are also on site to cater for overseas clients and visitors, while an outdoor terrace puts the finishing touch on this slightly surreal workplace.
While the rumour that interviewees may be forced to throw themselves down the helter skelter slide in a display of bonhomie are as yet unconfirmed, this unconventional office certainly puts paid to the theory that workplaces must be dull and uniform in order to achieve maximum output. And, with the laid back attitude allowing for ideas to flow, the question should really be, “Who doesn’t want to work in a place like this?”
Do you think putting more emphasis on fun should be a priority for businesses searching for ways to inspire their workers, or does this type of office layout encourage people to become distracted? Would you consider a similar design for your workplace in order to drum up a bit of interest from clients?
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