News that architect extraordinaire Frank Gehry is designing a gigantic, open plan warehouse for Facebook in California got us thinking about offices. While most of us are lucky if there’s a coffee machine where we work, the very richest companies revel in extraordinary surroundings - giant bistros, artwork in the foyer, communal bicycles, free food, indoor rock climbing, hammocks – these are all the sort of bizarre and wonderful perks found at the headquarters of some of the world’s most famous technology companies. Check out these photos of Facebook’s quirky offices.
Photo: April, 2011, offices at Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto, CA. (Photo Ryan Anson/AFP/Getty Images)
The philosophy behind Facebook’s new expansion is to get people up from their desks and talking, according to this article.
Photo: April, 2011, offices at Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto, CA. (Photo Ryan Anson/AFP/Getty Images)
The new Facebook workplace will be like a "warehouse", according to a post on Facebook's company blog. "Just like we do now, everyone will sit out in the open with desks that can be quickly shuffled around as teams form and break apart around projects. There will be cafes and lots of micro-kitchens with snacks so that you never have to go hungry. And we’ll fill the building with break-away spaces with couches and whiteboards to make getting away from your desk easy."
Photo: April, 2011, offices at Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto, CA. (Photo Ryan Anson/AFP/Getty Images)
Facebook plans to connect its two Menlo Park, California campuses via an underground tunnel. The company blog states: "We’ve paid just as much attention to the outside as well. The exterior takes into account the local architecture so that it fits in well with its surroundings. We’re planting a ton of trees on the grounds and more on the rooftop garden that spans the entire building. The raw, unfinished look of our buildings means we can construct them quickly and with a big emphasis on being eco-friendly."
Shown: Facebook employees gather for a Q&A in the Courtyard at Facebook's Menlo Park campus. Image: Pierre Moreels / Facebook
One of Facebook's often-cited perks at its Menlo Park site is free food for employees.
Shown: Facebook employees at lunchtime. (Image, Facebook)
When Facebook opened its East Campus at Menlo Park, the company stated plans for two full-service cafes and two coffee shops.
Shown: Facebook employees at the Epic Cafe, Menlo Park (Image, Facebook)
Facebook's Menlo Park campus also includes "endless snacks" in "micro-kitchens".
Shown: The Epic salad bar. Image: Matt Harnack / Facebook
Other perks include on-site doctors, a gym and free dry cleaning.
Shown: The Epic Cafe. Image: Matt Harnack / Facebook
Facebook's campus is designed to encourage employees to run into each other - there are no cubicles or private offices. As Facebook's company blog states, hundreds of little "breakaway" nooks are dotted throughout the buildings for ad hoc discussions.
Image: Facebook
Like it or loathe it, these design touches are everywhere at Facebook's Menlo Park campus photos.
Image: Facebook
Facebook's web site lists 3,976 employees at the end of June 2012. The company has stated in the past it hopes in the future to be able to host a whopping 9,400 people at its Menlo Park campus in California.
Image: Facebook
Facebook's new Gehry designed building will continue the trend of having staff work out in the open. The company blog states that desks will be able to be quickly "shuffled around" for different projects.
Image: Matt Harnack / Facebook
A Facebook worker at a "standing desk".
Image: Facebook
Facebook's on-site computer help desk.
Image: Matt Harnack / Facebook
According to the company blog, Facebook designed its Menlo Park buildings with "higher than average ceiling heights" — the idea being to increase the amount of natural light and ventilation.
Image: Matt Harnack / Facebook
Notice the exposed ducting, and industrial feel to the design. Part of the design philosophy is a deliberate attempt by Facebook to have the building "reflect our culture". One aspect of this is the idea of things being unfinished - "our work is never done".
Image: Facebook
Macaroons and artwork. Facebook had an "artists in residence" paint this mural.
Image: Matt Harnack / Facebook
Facebook promised a bike maintenance station and bike-sharing program when it first moved into its Menlo Park campus. Facebook also takes part in an annual Bike to Work Day.
Image: Facebook
Another thing you'll notice in promtional photos of Facebook offices is the graffiti and amateur artwork. When Facebook staff moved into the Menlo Park campus they were given boxes of chalk and allowed to scribble on walls.
Image: Facebook
Even the umbrellas are supplied.
Image: Facebook
This picture from Facebook's company newsroom is captioned "Mark's conference room" - that's CEO Mark Zuckerberg on the right.
Image: Matt Harnack / Facebook
News that architect extraordinaire Frank Gehry is designing a gigantic, open plan warehouse for Facebook in California got us thinking about offices. While most of us are lucky if there’s a coffee machine where we work, the very richest companies revel in extraordinary surroundings - giant bistros, artwork in the foyer, communal bicycles, free food, indoor rock climbing, hammocks – these are all the sort of bizarre and wonderful perks found at the headquarters of some of the world’s most famous technology companies. Check out these photos of Facebook’s quirky offices.
Photo: April, 2011, offices at Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto, CA. (Photo Ryan Anson/AFP/Getty Images)