Take Office Designing Tips from Google

Posted by Ajay Pathak

May 11, 2008

As of now more and more IT companies are now thing about the layout of their office so that they can inject more life in their office work culture and at the same by not spending to much of money.Here are seven suggestions from architect and designer Stefan Camenzind, the founder of Camenzind Evolution, which created Google’s innovative new office in Zurich:

Involve the staff Don’t assume you know what people in your office want - ask them, not a management committee, Camenzind says. Find their personality types and let changes flow from there. “Too many designers look for image and not emotion,” he says.
Give workers more freedom Camenzind believes too many offices focus on a slick, uniform corporate design that leaves workers feeling like drones. “I call it the gorgeous but dead look - beautifully designed furniture that is missing life and soul,” he said. Don’t be afraid to let employees move the furniture around, and make the place more comfy.
Give soul to communal areas It’s OK to be a little crazy design-wise in the cafeteria, the break rooms, the bathrooms. “Don’t go for average,” Camenzind said. “You need to create an atmosphere that is not corporate and cold.”
Don’t be afraid of paint Never underestimate the impact of clean, fresh color - preferably bold - because a shabby-looking office is a big downer for worker productivity and morale.
Never forget the coffee Office social life is all about the coffee. “Spend money on a fantastic coffee machine instead of a fantastic sofa,” he advises. People will appreciate that several times a day.
Bring on the plants Employees have five senses - it’s time to appeal to them all. “Take a room, fill it up with plants, add a tape with some bird songs - none of that is expensive,” Camenzind said. A common area that looks beautiful, smells great and sounds soothing has far more impact than one plant each for 100 private offices.
Spend on a key highlight In a 10,000-square-foot office, regular items like carpet, furniture and chairs can really rack up the costs. But does anyone notice? No, says Camenzind. He prefers to pay less for regular items so he can spend some money instead on a signature item or two that everyone can appreciate.