Gensler designed the interiors for Facebook HQ. Photo courtesy of Gensler.
The design giant Gensler has given an intimate look at the spaces that define the workspace of Facebook HQ in Menlo Park, California, and it’s everything we’d expect: bold, colorful, and unorthodox. Yet, for Gensler, who designed these work spaces, it was a much more subdued approach to their usually ambitious portfolio of architectural projects.
Gensler has worked its magic in more than 120 countries in collaboration with more than 3,000 clients. Some of its more iconic work includes The Shanghai Tower, The Gate Building and The Shore Hotel. All of these show Gensler’s affinity for sleek lines, the intersection of tech and design, and an ability to stand out and equally intermingle into the larger skyline. But its work isn’t strictly limited to architecture. It also has a number of ambitious projects involving unmanned aerial vehicles and 3D printer concepts.
Gensler implemented open spaces to give flexibility and versatility to Facebook HQ. Photo courtesy of Gensler.
For Facebook’s HQ, the firm went for a clean, minimalist look. Polished concrete floors and wood walls mesh with art pop wall murals and art deco furniture. The result is a rather mature, cool but respectful look for a company that was once the runt of the startup giants.
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Open space is a consistent theme, allowing for spaces in which employees can work on their own or in tandem with whatever group projects are underway. Eat-work spaces are marked by colorful cafés, one with a lime-colored floor, polished islands and bars set in mother of pearl, and a mix of plastic furniture.
Gensler helped Facebook HQ achieve a sense of raw and unfiltered design. Photo courtesy of Gensler.
In another space, floor length curtains drape from the ceiling to the carpeted floor to provide a sense of privacy or intimacy when needed. Ultimately rudimentary in scope but functional in design, the curtains and simple long tables leave the work space uncluttered and relatively distraction-free.
Plush sofas in aquamarine and emerald green populate some of the intimate spaces while plastic seems to be the go-to source material for the brighter work spaces. One interesting furniture item is the series of standing desks to be found in a work space with crimson walls and exposed ceilings. All in all, the HQ is a great design example of appealing to the need for employee comfort while satisfying the utilitarian needs of a modern tech giant.
