Digital Ocean-ers do Cannonball…
…Over Sea-themed Office.
When cloud infrastructure startup Digital Ocean started planning for a new Soho office, Jessica Aflak Marucci, Director of Employee Experience, led the charge. Her ultimate goal was an ‘employee-first’ office design that was reflective of the unique, whimsical brand personality and would accommodate 200 employees with some flexibility for growth. After a 2-day whirlwind tour of 11 San Francisco startups for inspiration, she spent time interviewing employees at the New York office as well. It became a collaborative internal effort, with a group Pinterest board for sharing ideas.
Architects RA-DA embraced the employee ideas and brought them to life, playing off the aquatic theme inherent in the name. Natural light (on the employee list of ‘must-haves’) is complemented by the P43 from Prudential Lighting, which gives the space a sophisticated glow around the perimeter. Meeting rooms are positioned down the middle of the open-plan space, with employee desks lining the perimeter in an effort to maximize light from the windows.
Wide-striped blue carpet, navy blue beanbag chairs and conference rooms with names like Treasure Chest and Jazz Walrus give the space a cohesive look and playful branded feel. For employees looking for space with less chit-chat, a lockdown room (dubbed The Cove) serves as a quiet place for focused, heads-down work. Office plants and plentiful snacks and sips add the finishing touches to a place employees are more than happy to call their work-home.
