Leisure

Google is not a conventional company, and does not intend to become one.  This is readily apparent in their office for Google’s EMEA Engineering Hub in Zurich, Switzerland, where the design cultivates an energized and inspiring work environment that is relaxed but focused, and buzzing with activities.

Rapid move within the Google city

The communal areas are intentionally dispersed throughout the building to encourage Zooglers to circulate throughout the seven floors to enhance communication between the different working groups and teams. In this way the building has evolved into a Google city with easy reference points for Zooglers and visitors to navigate the building. To allow speedy movement with fun between floors, “quick connections” comprising fire poles to slide down, link some of the communal areas with the floor above – making sure the Zooglers can reach their coffee that bit faster. And for the really hungry Zooglers, a steep and fast slide spirals down from the offices on the first floor directly into the centre of the Milliways cafeteria on the ground floor.

Food is very important to Google and the Zurich office is no exception. The Milliways cafeteria serves free breakfast, lunch and dinner and the chefs use only fresh, high quality ingredients and local produce to make healthy delicious food. Coming together for eating is also a great opportunity for the Zooglers to meet and talk to people they don’t work directly with. To balance the good food, a staffed gym offers yoga, Pilates and fitness classes and encourages the Zooglers to keep fit and healthy.

Read full project text here: Google EMEA Eng Hub Zurich