Five of the coolest offices in the world

Five of the coolest offices in the world by Amber Rolfe Need to get to meetings quicker? Why not take the slide?  From modern décor and quirky meeting rooms, to cosy furnishings and fully-stocked bars, there are probably a number of essential* things that your office might be missing out on. And if you’re looking for an upgrade, you’re in luck.Here are five of the coolest offices in the world, and how you might be able to become a part of them (goodbye plain old desk):AirbnbWhere is it? San FranciscoWhat makes it great? It’s like working from (a really well-designed) home.The aim of this office was to recreate some of the most popular listings ever found on Airbnb. Because as well as creating a cosy working atmosphere for employees, it’s also the perfect reflection of the brand and what it promotes.Their West Coast office boasts a range of unique workspaces inspired by the likes of a Norwegian houseboat, an Icelandic kitchen, and of course, the founder’s own apartment in San Francisco (where it all start ed).Newer additions include cosy living rooms from Shanghai, Cairo themed cafes, and a travel trailer from Australia.With all these spaces combined, the Airbnb office is able to link its brand with the old school chic-ness of San Francisco, whilst integrating modern work-from-home elements from all over the world.Also, it looks really nice.Who are they hiring? Airbnb offer a wide range of opportunities â€" based in the US, and in its 18 other offices around the world. Roles on offer include software engineering, data science, finance, admin, marketing, design, and more.      GoogleWhere is it? LondonWhat makes it great? Its quirky spin on vintage Britishness (and/or a full sized London bus meeting room).Google’s London HQ uses a mix of modern technology and old-fashioned furnishings to create the cosiest office space imaginable.From its clean and arty library area and padded cell meeting room, to its self-proclaimed ‘Granny Flat’ and ‘Flower Power’ boardroom, it’s clear that comfort is a big deal in this office â€" with almost every workspace including some kind of sofa (whether it screams floral kitsch or British pub green).The overall aim of the office was to tap into what people really want â€" which called for everything that epitomises comfort, food, and relaxation, as well as fun, exercise, and fresh air. There’s even an allotment area for employees to grow their own fruit and veg.And if you can’t get any work done inside, there’s always the ‘secret garden’ roof terrace. Not only does it have a view, it also has WiFi…N.B. There’s no need to panic if you don’t live in London. Every single one of Google’s offices have a unique theme, from ski lift meeting rooms in Zurich, to 1960s caravans in Amsterdam.   Who are they hiring? Google hire for a number of roles in offices worldwide â€" from engineering, technology, and marketing, to design, finance, and customer service.What it’s like to work for GoogleLegoWhere is it? Denmar kWhat makes it great? It has a slide (also, Lego).As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of play materials (otherwise known as the iconic Lego brick), Lego have a vested interest in promoting their creative values into every one of their offices.So, it’s no surprise that the HQ in Denmark closely resembles an office playground for big kids to create and develop new products â€" complete with Lego inspired workspaces.With an entrance that will fool you into thinking you’re walking through a cartoon cloud, to tables filled with bonsai plants, colourful furnishings, murals, and wall art, Lego’s Denmark office is vibrant, fun, and exciting.And, it’s not just the headquarters that’s living the values. Lego’s London office has also incorporated an open plan of working. Without a set desk, they’re free to roam around the quiet zones, meeting rooms, and other areas of the office, allowing them to build wherever they want.Who are they hiring? Lego hire for a range of pos itions worldwide, from accounting, admin, and customer service, to product, marketing, and project management, to name a few. There are also a number of roles available in their 125 retail stores located all over the world.  PixarWhere is it? CaliforniaWhat makes it great? It’s like working in Toy Story â€" but with more office chairs.Pixar’s offices are filled with a variety of their own film nostalgia, from Monsters Inc statues and ceiling hangings of Nemo, to Buzz Lightyear toys and Pixar-themed wall art (not to mention the famous ‘lamp and ball’ model in front of the main building).They also have a number of halls showcasing all of the artwork created by Pixar employees, even if it never became a part of the company’s films.To continue with the open artistic expression Pixar encourages, each Animator has the freedom to do whatever they want to their office space. This has resulted in one of the most creatively unique offices in the world, one which intertwines perfectl y with the imagination they’re famous for.So whether you’re looking for cosy tiki huts and mini castles, or double-story offices and peaceful cabins (see: Andy’s room replica) â€" this 22-acre campus has it all.Who are they hiring? You don’t need to be an Animator to work for Pixar. With positions in a range of fields, including everything from editorial, art, and production, to marketing, HR, and finance, there’s no limit to what you can do at their California HQ.Urban OutfittersWhere is it? PhiladelphiaWhat makes it great? Its obvious sense of brand identity.Urban Outfitter’s HQ is based in the Navy Yard, an old shipyard that was built in the 1860s. A lot of renovation was needed to turn the space into a functioning office â€" but luckily, that’s what the shabby chic fashion retailer does best.From the high ceilings, exposed steel beams, and low-hanging lights, to the quirky ornaments and bohemian interior décor associated with their brand, this workplace creates th e perfect combination of old and new.The main goal of the office was to improve the quality of life for the employees as well as bring the team together, and with a great looking office and a fitness centre and library included â€" it’s no surprise that morale improved significantly after the move.And with many of the original features still visible, the character of the old shipyard is safely preserved in amongst this bright and airy office/designer’s workshop.Who are they hiring? With offices all over the world, and over 200 retail stores, there’s no limit to the ways you can join the Urban Outfitters team.So whether you want to work in retail, buying, graphic design, finance, or ecommerce, there’s a role out there to suit you.  *May not actually be essential  Honourable mentions: Hootsuite, Dropbox, Pallotta Teamworks, Inventionland, Facebook, Twitter, Innocent, Mind Candy, Etsy  Still searching for your perfect position? View all available jobs now  Image creditsAirbnbG oogleLegoPixarUrban Outfitters