This year’s World’s Coolest Offices package has something for everyone, whether you draw your inspiration from converted shipbuilding facilities or from the wacky shapes and colors of Barcelona’s famous Gaudi buildings.
We took a look at offices completed since the beginning of last year, and the resulting list below proves that tech companies aren’t the only ones who have a kick-ass headquarters: Any startup, from co-working space operators to protein-supplement makers, can create a truly awe-inspiring design.
Bark (Columbus, Ohio)
About 50 canines roam the space each day. Desks are placed next to lounge seats made of wipeable fabric so dogs and humans can sit side-by-side, and an outdoor dog run offers a place to exercise.
Bark and architecture firm NBBJ decided to install floors made of sealed concrete, rubber, and woven vinyl, so accidents can be easily cleaned.
Cubbies offer employees a place to lounge with their pups–while also breaking up the office so the excitable companions aren’t always in one another’s sight lines.
Digital Luxury Group (Geneva, Switzerland)
There’s no reception area at the offices of digital marketing company DLG, which were designed to not feel like an office at all. Instead, interior design firm Bloomint Design focused on flexibility, creating a series of spaces that encourage relaxation as much as they do concentration.
Modern furniture and minimal lines make for an elegant interior while floating lights in the shape of clouds add softness. A variety of meeting rooms provide separate areas for teams to get together.
Gusto (San Francisco)
Before sitting unoccupied for decades, this warehouse on San Francisco’s Pier 70 was used to construct and repair ships from the 19th century through World War II.
It’s now the home of Gusto, a company that makes cloud-based HR software for small businesses. When the startup moved into the building last year, it collaborated with architecture firm Gensler to create a design that left many of the industrial elements intact, including the lifts and cranes.
Gusto pays homage to its clients within the cavernous space. Meeting rooms are named after theoretical small businesses (Donut Factory, Bait & Tackle) and a mural wall–painted by employees–includes illustrations of everything from baristas to veterinarians.
An added perk: The floors are heated to keep workers warm on cold Bay Area days.
JoyTunes (Tel Aviv, Israel)
Music literally takes center stage at the headquarters for JoyTunes, which makes a mobile app that teaches piano playing. A wooden stage for performances, jam sessions, and video shoots sits directly under a central skylight, creating a natural spotlight for performers.
Architecture and interior design firm Roy David Studio chose what founder Roy David calls an “open-edge design,” dividing the office into sections using custom made shelving that creates a minimalist, slightly unfinished look.
Each workstation includes an adjustable light fixture that hangs far below the 18-foot ceilings, adding to the feeling of confined, private spaces within the open-plan, industrial setting.
Plants and lighter wood for tables and conference rooms lend a natural look to the office, while Persian-style rugs and the furniture’s soft colors add a warm, residential vibe.
Trend Micro (Cairo, Egypt)
Not many businesses design their space to be part office, part “cultural experience.” That’s the vibe at cybersecurity company Trend Micro’s Cairo office, where the amount of history rivals that in some museums.
A former university theater that took up three floors, the office pays homage to ancient Egypt in everything from the lighting to the furniture.
Architecture and design studio Dalia Sadany Dezines drew upon research from an accredited Egyptologist and cybersecurity professional to come up with a design that connects the past to the present. One floor in the office even contains a small cyber security museum.
Ancient writings carved into marble remind workers of how information was preserved 5,000 years ago, while artifacts in nearly every corner make for a truly inspiring work environment.
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