Skype Headquarters

Like Skype facilitates communication between us, so it should be their work area, with easy connection. And with this premise they built the new office in Palo Alto, California. A fully renovated space to support more than 250 employees.

The project, by Blitz Architecture + Design is tottaly opened and is based in activities areas. The concentration zones (workstation areas) are pushed to the building perimeter and benefit from natural light and lower noise levels. Collaboration zones (meeting rooms, coffee kiosks, white board areas) are centered along main access spines on each level encouraging staff to literally ‘meet in the middle’. Contemplation spaces are interspersed in the form of overlapping casual lounges.

Some other words from Blitz about this project: “To support Scrum a variety of environments have been created that facilitate different interactions. A system of mobile whiteboards, or ‘Skype-Its’, is deployed throughout the space to capture ideas as they occur. The resulting workplace is a space that people want to inhabit, and enjoy using. It differentiates Skype from it’s competitors facilitating recruitment and retention.”

“The space reflects Skype’s spirit of innovation in a highly functional yet creative workplace designed to encourage interaction and spontaneity, as well as meet specific acoustic requirements in support of their extensive use of AV. The project is registered for and seeking LEED Silver certification.”