Now how many offices in the world feature boats of giant floating waffles hanging from the ceiling along with lovely white kettles? Designed with a touch of the typical local flavor that we’ve come to expect from Google offices across the globe, and with plenty of creative workspaces, Google’s new headquarters in Amsterdam is an absolute showstopper. Inspired by the simple garage where founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin started the firm, the ingenious folk from D/DOCK brought together a variety of eclectic and sustainable elements to craft this playful, ergonomic and colorful office space.
There is so much to admire about the design of this reopened Google office, it is hard to know where to get started. Sustainability played a significant role in shaping the outline of the new office. Existing work spaces and parts of the micro-kitchen were revamped and given a face-lift to fit into the new scheme of things. Offering 180-degree views of the beautiful city of Amsterdam from every possible work area, the idea was to fashion an office with the right blend of open spaces that encourage the sharing of ideas and quiet hubs that allow you to get work done.
Inspired by Dutch Heritage
Spread across several floors, each level has its own central zone, around which the rest of the areas are built. Meeting rooms, huddle rooms, video booths and micro kitchens are laced with decor and accessories that borrow heavily from traditional Dutch colors and iconography. This is precisely why you see such an overwhelming and vibrant presence of orange throughout. A hint of Dutch royalty, some tasty snack-shaped fixtures and vintage furniture complete this truly exceptional office. There is even a real-life ’60s caravan with lounge chairs outside for lovers of retro design.
Apart from using non-toxic materials, the office also saves energy and water consumption using smart and eco-friendly practices. Complete with a gym and game room, the Google Amsterdam office sure gets rid of Monday morning blues in an exciting and energetic fashion… Makes those boring old cubicles in grey seem like prison cells!
Happiness, comfort, flexibility, relaxation, well-balanced nutrition, exercise, daylight, fresh air and visual stimulation are some of the fundamentals that make this office a healthy one…
