It might seem that every creative now works remotely, or at least hybrid. But no one is declaring the death of the well-designed office space – certainly not when you look at our list of the most inspiring from around the world.
A well-designed office space is still at the heart of many creative businesses, and they still invest a significant sum of dosh to make their office feel inspiring and welcoming to employees and visitors alike. And while many studios will use furniture, such as beautifully designed ergonomic office chairs, a highlight to their aesthetic, all use the office space in a engaging, inspiring way.
1. Bark
Bark's office in Columbus has a warm and inviting design that encourages friendly interactions with dogs. As a nod to the company’s focus on dog treats and chew toys, Seattle-based design firm NBBJ created a workspace where dogs are seen as cherished guests. Special beds and cozy areas allow both human workers and their furry friends to relax together.
You can expect to see anywhere between 20 to 30 dogs in the space on any given working day. Amenity bars for both dogs and people add a nice touch to the environment. Plus, there’s a larger community area where customers, pets, and employees can connect and enjoy each other's company.
2. Kinetic
Kinetic, a website design firm, has been helping clients use internet technologies in creative ways since 1995. So, it’s no surprise they have a unique office. As founder Jay Brandrup shares, "When we outgrew our original space down the street, we knew it was time to let our creativity shine."
"We aimed to create a space that promotes both flexibility and productivity," he continues. Their office features collaborative areas for teamwork and private offices for focus. Plus, it has fun touches like retro pinball machines and steam rooms, blending work and play perfectly.
3. Cinco
If you’ve ever dreamed of working in a beautifully refurbished former chemical factory in Buenos Aires, then Cinco might be the perfect place for you! This unique setting captures the charm of Argentina's 'post-industrial revolution' era. It offers a flexible environment that supports a variety of creative tasks.
The team has a workshop for projects involving paper, wood, and other materials, as well as a cozy 'study' space for photography, film, and experimentation. Plus, there’s a welcoming 'living room' for meetings and relaxation, complete with a pinball machine and fun games. Creative director Mariano Sigal says, "It's the space we've always dreamed of. We are really happy here!"
4. The Barbarian Group
The Barbarian Group's motto, "It's gonna be awesome," reflects the spirit of its design office. This studio brings together curious individuals from various fields, creating an inviting space that encourages collaboration. Architect Clive Wilkinson designed a flowing 4,400 square-foot desk where the entire team gathers as one.
"Our desk is like a wave of creativity that helps ideas flow freely," says chief creative officer Edu Pou. "Working at the Superdesk reminds us that there's always room for improvement. It keeps our team happy and inspired every day. Our office is truly a work of art!"
5. Shopify
When Shopify moved to its new headquarters in Ottawa, Canada, in 2014, Linebox helped them design their new office space. Each of the six floors features a unique theme, such as Canadiana and streetscapes, and there are many cozy spots for employees to work or relax. On the speakeasy-themed floor, you’ll find a library, phone booths, and even Scandinavian sauna-style areas. Employees can easily book these spaces using Google Calendar, and the reservations are visible on iPads outside each room.
Marketing manager Courtney Symons shares, "As a company aiming to transform the future of commerce, we cherish historical items like old cash registers. They remind us of our journey and the progress we still want to make. Plus, just like in our homes, we can switch from snowy winter boots to comfortable moccasins as we settle in for the long Canadian winters."
6. Airbnb
Many members of the design team at Airbnb enjoy working in a lively workplace in San Francisco built in collaboration with WRNS Studio. Alex Schleifer, the vice president of design, shares, "Our workspace features friendly neighborhoods centered around large 'project rooms.'
These modular spaces come with displays, whiteboards, pinboards, and tall tables." He adds, "We encourage everyone to explore the open spaces throughout the office. Plus, team members can personalize these areas with their own decorations."
7. Icrave
ICRAVE, an award-winning design and branding firm based in New York City, creates a wonderful blend of minimalist design in their amazing offices. They have thoughtfully designed areas that resemble hotel lobbies, and even the reception area serves as a DJ booth, adding a playful touch to the interior.
Their spacious 8,000-square-foot office near Madison Square Park features flexible workspaces that encourage teamwork and interaction among employees. With charming wooden decorations and delightful chalkboards, it’s an office that many would enjoy working in!
8. Google, Zurich
Google offices has some truly amazing spaces, but our top pick is definitely the Zurich offices by Evolution Design. In fact, it’s hard to imagine how employees manage to focus on anything else with so many interesting features.
These offices offer rooms for sports, singing, dancing, and even massage therapy. There’s an aquarium where staff can unwind in a foam-filled bath, a sky lounge, a jungle room, and a movie room. And don’t forget the slides and fireman’s poles! Each themed Gondola around the office serves as a unique meeting space, which we find really creative. It’s a fantastic environment that promotes both work and play.
9. BICOM Communications
Montreal-based designer Jean de Lessard recently took on the task of redesigning the offices for PR firm BICOM Communications. His goal was to create a space that inspires employees and sparks creativity. The outcome is a beautiful open area filled with stylish elements that truly reflect the company's spirit.
One of the standout features of Lessard's design is the unique house-like pods. These cozy spaces help define work areas and each has its own charming decor, featuring fun touches like faux grass and wood paneling. The social areas are equally impressive, showcasing sleek furniture and the company's name proudly displayed in bright lights. This new design invites collaboration and boosts the overall atmosphere.
10. Mind Candy
Welcome to the creative headquarters of Mind Candy, with fitouts from IIS Space. This unique office feels like a vibrant oasis. The space features fun astroturf carpeting and charming vines that drape from the ceiling. You’ll find a cozy wooden treehouse and a delightful gingerbread house serving as meeting rooms.
Bright artwork brightens up every corner, and there's even a coloring wall for some added fun. For a touch of whimsy, the quiet areas resemble hobbit holes, providing a perfect escape. And don't forget the exciting helter skelter-style slide, making it easy for employees to move between floors. How clever and inspiring!
11. Adobe, Utah
Adobe's 260,000 square foot campus got a brilliantly creative makeover by Rapt Studio back in 2013. Renowned artist El Mac created a one-of-a-kind spray paint mural that centres the entire building around a single piece of street art.
In addition to work by El Mac, there's also a mural from tattoo and street artist Mike Giant. The design also features an employee café, full NBA-sized indoor basketball court, a game room named The Bunker, a fully equipped gym, and interactive artwork inspired by products and tools from Adobe.
12. Cartoon Network, Atlanta
The Cartoon Network offices in Atlanta have a unique cubicle system that brings a fun twist to the traditional workplace. While it might seem like a typical setup, this environment is anything but boring. Each person has the chance to personalize their workspace, making it a reflection of their personality.
You'll find cubicles that showcase a variety of themes, especially from children's TV. Many spaces are filled with bright, colorful furniture, beloved cartoon characters, and cheerful mascots. Employees also love to decorate with photos, stickers, and magnets that make their work areas feel special.
13. TBWA, New York
Italian artist, designer, and architect Gaetano Pesce created a fantastic office space for the ad agency TBWA in New York. This outdoor-inspired design boasts a spacious open floor plan, a full basketball court, a big-screen TV, and even a classic London telephone box. To add to the charm, there are trees growing inside the building, giving it a refreshing atmosphere.
The TBWA team enjoys the freedom of not having assigned desks. They are encouraged to switch seats each day, which helps foster spontaneous meetings and collaborations. This promotes creativity and teamwork in a fun and inviting environment.
14. Mother London
We can't help but feel a bit envious of the amazing studio at the London-based ad agency Mother London. Designed by Clive Wilkinson Architects, this space has so many cool features that we could talk about them for hours!
Some of our favorites are the unique meeting rooms filled with charming vintage furniture. However, the standout feature has to be the impressive 250ft communal concrete table, which is perfect for bringing together around 200 employees. It’s a fantastic space that really encourages collaboration and creativity.
15. Inventionland, Pittsburgh
Inventionland is an exciting design facility that belongs to the Pittsburgh-based invention promotion firm, Davison Design & Development. What sets it apart are its unique offices that bring creativity to life. Spanning 70,000 square feet, the facility features 15 different themed sets, all designed and built by the talented team at Davison.
Employees are fortunate to work in a fun environment filled with pirate ships, castles, robots, and even faux caves. But that’s not all! Inventionland also boasts a top-notch sound, video, and animation studio, along with fully-equipped workshops for turning inventive ideas into working prototypes. It’s truly an inspiring place to work, and it makes us all a little jealous!
16. Ogilvy, China
It's exciting to even think about Ogilvy's carnival-inspired office in China. The talented team at M Moser and Associates created this space, which proudly won China’s Most Successful Design Award in 2008.
Their design, called 'A Carnival of Ideas', brings joy with merry-go-round horses, life-sized nutcrackers, and many other fun amusement park-themed elements. It's a wonderful space that sparks creativity and inspiration!
17. Pixar, Emeryville
We all know it's a classic choice, but we just had to include the amazing animation studio Pixar for their brilliant HQ designed by Garcia Tamjidi. With so many fun things around, it's impressive how the team stays focused and productive. It's no surprise that such a creative environment leads to so many brilliant ideas.
Like the folks at Cartoon Network, Pixar uses a cubicle system, but each space is uniquely tailored to fit the employee's personality. Additionally, the hallways and common areas are filled with life-size movie characters, scooters, and even space hoppers! And guess what? There's even a cereal room for those snack breaks. Who could say no to a bowl of Coco Pops?
