As the internet era continues in lightning quick fashion – changing perceptions, smashing stereotypes and breaking boundaries – much of the world is adapting to this new way of life.
Seen as the height of current technology, online companies like Facebook and Google – pioneers of the trade – often have office designs and policies that suit their forward-thinking.
Rumours of eccentric staff benefits, secret work spaces and even a “mother’s room” for parents to spend time with their children, have caught the eyes of those interested in what these neo-companies have to offer.
Recently, Facebook rolled back the curtain on their new offices in Johannesburg – a development that signifies the companies increase in influence within the wider-continent.
Showing off artistically styled working rooms and various advanced technologies for staff to use, as well as a rooftop balcony for employees to discuss business concepts – the office itself represents a vision for embracing technology that has helped keep Facebook a global leader amongst a pool of competitors.
The offices themselves have developed over the last 23 months. Starting in July 2015, there was a small-scale team of just five people based in a rented office space. This has now been replaced by a larger team handling developers, agencies, clients and civil society.
The new-look office space is now the area to meet clients – to establish partnerships, and build opportunities in Africa.
For the design, Facebook worked with three local artists to bring something wholly unique to their African office. The furniture was all locally sourced, and the design is quintessentially African.
Employees also got to have their say on the design of their new work space, contributing ideas to the shape and décor of the office. An example includes a Baobab tree made from wood engraved with the greetings from all eleven official languages of South Africa. There is also a safari-themed break-out area, and the names of the meeting rooms are taken from iconic African words that hold meaning to the team.
This new insight into the way an internet-based company creates a particular office atmosphere and ethos, may grab the attention of other large companies to follow suit. With the design, may come the concept of a revolutionary work platform.
