Camezind Evolution has created an unusual office for Google’s EMEA Engineering Hub in Zurich.
The playful 800 person space was designed with the input of the employees - lending specific, local touches and a sense of ownership to the final product.
Archdaily explains:
The architects began with a rapid process of research and analysis to map out the opportunities and challenges posed by the building as well as the emotional and practical requirements of the Zooglers. The latter was achieved by conducting a survey of all the Zooglers, complemented by a series of workshops and interviews. This research, guided by a psychologist, extended beyond purely functional aspects, and provided information about the Zooglers personality types, representational systems, values and motivational factors.
Although the details of the survey outcomes remain confidential, the process revealed that the optimal working environment for Zooglers needed to be diverse and at the same time harmonious whilst making it a fun and an enjoyable place to work in. The survey also showed that while personal workspace needed to be functional and more neutral, communal areas had to offer strong visual and more aesthetically enjoyable and entertaining qualities to stimulate creativity, innovation and collaboration.
Arch Daily: “Google EMEA Engineering Hub / Camezind Evolution”
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Hi, nice post. I have been thinking about this topic,so thanks for writing.
November 24th, 2009 at 5:14 am
I feel crowd-sourcing, employee-sourced, or anything *-sourced is an evil concept- it’s just and analog for design by-comittee. Take all the interesting aspects of an idea created by an empowered individual and sand off the corners, as not to offend anybody. I know I’m only pinpointing one aspect of the theory, but I’m really offended by this idea. (the rest of the theory reads, I’m too cheap or I’m too lazy to find the proper person to do this job I need completed). I read the book written by James Surowiecki on the subject, and after, I wanted to lay down and give up any aspect of creativity, original thought or individualism. The books profoundly disturbing result was only rectified by reading Emerson straight for a month. Lets take Surowiecki, and ship him off to some crowd-sourced designed living quarters, make him listen to crowd-sourced Operas, make him read crowd-sourced books…
http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/03/is-crowdsourcin/
November 24th, 2009 at 7:23 am
You have to love the slide in the office. Google really goes all out when they outfit their offices.
November 24th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Colman – I agree with you somewhat on the hype around crowdsourcing. But in this case, I think it was a good thing. The people that were going to be using the office had a real part in making it their own.
November 24th, 2009 at 11:02 am