Redefining the workplace – fun office space in London

Regardless of where they are in the world, everyday millions of people make the commute to an office of some kind. Whether spectacularly shaped, like the Gherkin – or as its more formally known 30 St Mary Axe – or a little more traditional in architectural style, most of them boast the same features, albeit with variances in size and amounts: receptions, open-plan office spaces, meeting rooms, storage areas, cafeterias etc. However, one criticism that employees will often level, at the office they spend so much of their days working in, is that interiorly it’s actually rather dull – sticking to uniformity rather than existing to invigorate inspiration amongst employees.

As England’s capital city, as well as a business hub for many massive sectors, there is a significant amount of rather quirky and very cool office space in London. Unsurprisingly, much of this office space is owned by some of the world’s most forward-thinking establishments. The features, ranging from abstractly-shaped glowing staircases to open-plan office space more akin to a robotics research facility pulled straight from a science-fiction blockbuster, make the buildings they enhance feel far removed from a lot of the office space in London.

Detailed below are just three of the most fun pieces of office space in London:

Nike - Oxford Street HQ: American sportswear giant Nike’s London office space features a large amount of curved lines and glass usage. Although uniformly consistent in its use of colour – sky blue and white – the office has match balls adorning its walls and wall-size images of sporting legends, such as Brazilian footballer Ronaldo. Not your everyday office space in London.

Classy brown leather seating areas allow employees to enjoy the big-screen TVs broadcasting the latest sporting events – the perfect area for a sports aficionado to whittle away a rare quiet afternoon.

Google – Victoria HQ: One of the world’s most forward-thinking firms, Google’s office space is influenced heavily by futuristic design elements. Minimalistic long blue corridors, lit by magnificent white lights, lead to amazing meeting areas – which would surely make those end of day meetings seem just that little bit more interesting.

Meanwhile the futuristic main workspace areas are a mix of red, white and black brilliance; the rows of desks – where the Google magic happens – look like they could have been pulled straight from the set of Stanley Kubrick’s classic film, 2001: A Space Odyssey. 

Similarly, Google-owned YouTube also has wonderfully quirky offices – designed to resemble the front room of TV icon, Del Boy from Only Fools and Horses.

Forward Internet Group – Camden HQ: A London office that features an eclectic mix of traditional touches and post-modernistic design, the Forward Internet Group’s Camden HQ is certainly something to marvel over. 

Statues of giant lobsters are complemented by striking red staircases, designed to resemble the seats in an amphitheatre. Meanwhile the meeting rooms are cordoned off by images of black autumnal trees and wrought iron fencing – bringing the feeling of outside into the work area. It’s all rather fantastic.