The New Office
We're seeing this trend now coast to coast--open layouts with places for spontaneous encounters that promote collaboration, innovation, and individuality. Today we take a look in Cambridge, where HubSpot has added electronic desks, a nap room (that's every room in our office), and beer and wine in the fridge.
Now in 100k SF on First Street in East Cambridge, HubSpot (a developer of marketing software) just expanded into 35k SF that’s divided into four neighborhoods with a living room at the entrance to each, facilities director Kenneth Papa (above with colleague Stephanie Lussier) tells us. In the morning and after lunch, people gather; hopefully, they discuss topics that cross departmental lines and spark new ideas to maintain the buzz. (They probably also discuss the latest episode of True Detective.) HubSpot wanted to be on the Red Line, a quick walk from the Charles River where they run and bike, surrounded by sky and greenery; not in a high-rise canyon, Kenneth says.
While many companies are cutting individual space; Hubspot increased it and added extra personal storage and plenty of vertical white boards for brainstorming. The assignment for IA Interior Architects was to create a work environment that reflects the new trend and yet is flexible enough to accommodate the staff’s different work styles, IA managing director Reetika Vijay says. The hot new thing: electronic desks that go up and down so people can work standing or take the traditional seated approach. For spontaneous one-on-one conversations without having to book a conference room, there are small informal “talk rooms” and pub-height tables scattered around. For those inspired by activity, there’s foosball, ping pong, and bubble hockey. (Sportsmanship encouraged, but no promises.)
In the cafeteria of a company that prides itself on transparency, there’s no hiding the adult beverages (a shipment just arrived). On the other hand, it’s stocked with fresh fruit delivered twice weekly, yogurt, tabouli, juice, and the universal comfort food: PB&J. Long tables accommodate staff and senior execs. The most important thing to us, Kenneth says, is keeping our full-time staff happy, which makes them productive.
For contemplative moments … welcome to the nap room.
