Can a ‘weird and wild’ office space make you a better worker? We are exploring some of the most unusual &‘inspiring’ office and workspaces across the country and if you know of any others please get in touch with us
For most of us the office is not just a great place to work or get motivated. You may have worked in an office that has tired old brown carpets, furniture falling apart and desks with coffee stains on that have probably been there for 10 years.
The rise of tech companies has famously tried to buck this trend, showing their employees they have the ‘best’ work culture and environment to maintain their interest for long enough that they won’t have their head turned when headhunted on a daily basis. From start-ups to MNC’s they are furnishing staff with all the free food, pool tables and ‘music jam’ rooms they could possibly want. This certainly isn’t for everyone and if you are wondering what the hell we are talking about. Read on……
If you are passing Hoxton Square in East London make sure you detour to see the TREExOFFICE for yourself. It’s an ‘unsocial-able social-able’ space that shouldn’t work but does. It not only works but people have reportedly been more efficient and driven in this space. Some say it’s down to the lack of disruption although if someone in the room is on the phone it’s fair to say you will feel involved in the call.
This urban office is built on stilts around a tree. The pop-up has eight seats with power and wifi available to rent. You can also book this space for small company meetings or pitch opportunities to impress prospective clients. However, if you need the loo, well that is one mod con you won’t find here. There are of course lots of public places nearby but if it’s raining or snowing you may get wet. “It is made of compressed paper with see-through plastic and translucent polycarbonate,” says architect Kathryn Timmins. This is good for the environment, but also helps workers feel at one with nature.
Perched above a converted warehouse called Village Underground in Shoreditch is one of the most unusual and exciting workspaces in London. On a disused underground train. If you are fortunate enough to visit this space you surprisingly won’t feel as trapped as you could in an office.
The trains were stripped of their mechanical parts, then carefully lifted on to the building by cranes in 2007. It was part of a project to make affordable working spaces for artists. As we all know Shoreditch is very well known and respected as an area for creative and artistic types and seems to be growing with all sorts of interesting characters.
Since 2007 many have seen the advantages of leaving the coffee shop environments for these special places. Working in an open, creative and unusual location can be inspiring if not scary at times.
People that work in these spaces don’t conform to the typical 9-5 jobs. It wouldn’t be crazy to see a member of staff arriving at 10.30am and leaving at 9pm with lots of ‘creative’ breaks throughout the day. It has been suggested these locations are more relaxing environments and allow you to ‘get in the flow’.
One question we have, how good is this space in the middle of winter?
For those that get the train to work then spend 8+ hours a day on a train for work, we are keen to hear from you and if it’s as cool as it looks?
Multi-National Companies like Google have taken this concept and expanded it on a much larger scale. They also offer soft benefits that will make you want to never go home, these range from free meals, free gym membership, free coffee, ride to work schemes, discounts off Google products oh and being the first in the world to know how they are helping change the world with technology.
Whether your business is looking for something funky and unusual or something a bit more traditional Loc8 can assist in finding you the perfect office for your business. Give us a call to discuss on 020 3031 8563 or alterntiavely get your search started here