What can you learn from the world’s most unusual offices?

There are a whole host of cool, quirky and unusual offices around the world - but what can we learn from them? From Google, to Lego, to Facebook, we take a look at some of the biggest companies and their workspaces, helping you to find the inspiration you might need when it comes to your own office design. Google: putting employees first Even though the company has offices all over the world, it’s Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, California that stand out the most. The tech company is renowned for how well it treats its employees - and this is definitely reflected in its office design. Forget cramped cubicles - many spaces are furnished with comfy sofas and coffee tables, and there’s even a large, spacious canteen and approximately 30 cafes in the building which provide workers with free food throughout the day. Aside from it’s impressive indoor spaces, the headquarters also boast an outdoor volleyball and basketball courts, a golf putting course and beautiful lawns and gardens. Airbnb: a mixture of old and new At its headquarters in San Francisco, California, home rental website Airbnb is known for its unique approach to office design. The company’s space has been designed to welcome in as much natural light as possible, offering employees a bright, comfortable place to work. It has many unique design features, including an open-plan landing overlooking a central courtyard, giving workers an additional area to use. It’s warehouse-like structure gives the space a historical, industrial look and feel, yet it also has a few modern touches - proving that mixing old and new can lead to stunning results. Lego: branding is everything In 2014, Lego opened its London headquarters and today it’s the place of work for more than 200 employees. Situated in the heart of the capital, the famous toy retailer designed its offices with a heavy focus on brand image. The four-storey building features brick archways, Lego-play zones and, of course, a whole lot of yellow. Aside from keeping branding at the forefront of their design, the offices also allow employees to collaborate in flexible workspaces with no specific seating arrangements. There are also ‘study caves’ to offer staff members a place to work in private. Facebook: balancing work and play Spanning over 430,000 square feet, Facebook’s headquarters in Menlo Park, California boast the largest open floor plan in the world. While there’s no denying that it’s impressive in size, the company has heavily centred the design of its offices around its employees, creating an environment that both encourages productivity and allows room for fun. CEO Mark Zuckerberg is famed for the way in which he treats his workforce, and this is evident in the design of his offices in the Golden State. From Guitar Hero and Xbox, to ping pong and basketball courts, it’s definitely not “all work and no play” at Facebook HQ. Redbull: combining comfort and creativity Situated in the heart of London, Redbull’s UK office combines comfort with creativity for its employees, offering a workspace that feels more like a lounge than anything else. In fact, the space was converted from a number of old pubs, with some original features being kept. At the end of a long day, Redbull employees can retreat to the office reception which transforms into a bar. As for its interior design, the office has crisp, clean elements as well as a subdued colour palette of soothing greys and cool blues. It also uses unusual materials for its floors and walls, such as carbon fibre and metal, to reinforce the sense of excitement and adrenalin that is synonymous with the energy drink’s well-known brand. Bahnhof: business in a bunker Located in an old nuclear bomb bunker 30 metres underground, Bahnhof’s offices in the White Mountains of Stockholm, Sweden are in a league of their own. The entire workspace is below ground level and is only accessible via a tunnel. The bunker was originally constructed in the 1970s and it’s reported that it is able to withstand a hydrogen bomb. As for the interior, the internet service provider has chosen to preserve many elements and objects from the original bunker, such as signs, telephones, blueprints and even accessories including radios and ashtrays. Some newer aspects include a waterfall and an indoor botanical garden. Urban Outfitters: holding onto history A company known for its hipster-style clothing, unique accessories and quirky homeware collections, Urban Outfitters headquarters are located in the historic Navy Yard warehouse in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With it’s high ceilings, arched windows, exposed brick walls and authentic wooden floors, the building’s rich history is still very much present in the overall office design. The building’s large, open-plan interior provides employees with a comfortable, relaxing environment in which they can harness their creativity. If there’s anything to be learnt from this company’s approach to office design, it’s that ultra modern, contemporary decor isn’t always the way forward. AOL: colourful but simple At AOL’s headquarters in Palo Alto, California, it’s all about the sleek and simple look. The online service provider’s offices feature clean lines, straight edges and furniture that can slide in and out of walls, creating a fuss-free yet totally cool aesthetic for creative thinking. From bursts of zesty orange and hot pink, to splashes of cool blue and pure white, colour also plays an important role in the overall look and feel of AOL HQ. If you’re keen to give your workspace a makeover but you’re struggling to find inspiration, why not take a few design tips from some of these undeniably cool and unusual offices?