Google Office - Zurich | Hacker News Reader

Google Office - Zurich

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28 pointsmarkbnine12 comments

Anyone that has worked at a place like this knows it's just a giant PR stunt. The colorful gizmos, novelty workspaces were more of an annoying than fun, and nobody used them unless there were journalists around.

I'd rather have some nice outdoor space than a zany gondola any day.

Zürich is a nice city, so you should not have too many problems finding nice outdoor space over there.

I think OP means an outdoor space as part of the office, eg a wifi enabled roof garden/patio where you can take a break or even bring a laptop and work. Highly recommended.

OK, that seems nice.

I still use a fair amount of the novelties weekly if not daily a couple of years after they've been introduced. For example the fireman's poles are actually a great way of moving around. There's some nice outdoor spaces at the office too (including a rooftop terrace), they're just not shown on those pictures.

Does anyone work there just for the interior design? Of course not. But I don't see how they'd be annoying, and will take the Zurich offices over a beige cubicle farm any day.

Which office is this?

That looks great, but I couldn't work in an office with such a large window and no blinds. The glare would be too much.I'd retreat with a laptop to one of those circular objects and shut the door.

Google's openness goes much further than glass walls. For example, you'll rarely find a person in a private office. Even Page and Brin share an office.

In other words, Google does not believe in privacy.

> In other words, Google does not believe in privacy.

That's a bit of a crazy jump there ;)

Open workspaces are extremely common and very popular for companies (at least in my experience - and I have been in quite a few offices :)). Google seems to extend it to top management too - which is unusual.

I think the theory is solid btw (in that it does work in improving the work ethic etc.)

Anyone else find this somewhat cringe-enducing?

I think we're gonna look back at these wacky offices in 10-20 years and just have a chuckle.

I visited the Zurich office as a guest. Inside, there are areas with lots of social activity (and loud), and also many areas (offices, really) of total silence, calmness, and good natural light everywhere. Lots of glass walls with plants and posters to create privacy. The pictures in the link only show the funky areas--a minor fraction. Overall it looked like a great place to work at.

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