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Answers from Andy Riabokin, vice president of people
What were your considerations when picking an office space and designing its layout?
Things like color, lighting and high ceilings all matter. But we had one overarching goal: create a cool, comfortable destination where employees simply love coming to work.
What are some of the perks of working in your office?
Our fully-stocked kitchen is tough to beat. Actually, so is the fully-stocked bar. You've got your fresh fruit, endless bowls of cereal, catered hot lunches on Wednesdays, spicy ketchup tasting contests, etc. We also host after-hour events. For instance, we held a Mayweather vs. Pacquiao Fight Night (that put everybody to sleep) in our nifty lounge.
Why are those perks important to you?
It's a fundamental equation. Happy employees = successful company.
How do you think office design affects work culture?
Designer/writer Frank Chimero likes to say, "People ignore design that ignores people." Frank is right on. A relaxed, welcoming environment helps people focus on their job.
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Answers from Leura Fine, founder and designer of the office
What were your considerations when picking an office space and designing its layout?
It's always important to consider how your team works first and foremost. Do you need open areas and places to work in groups or do you need to make sure that everyone has plenty of privacy? Sound is an issue in most offices, so it's critical to consider how and where people are going to be able to have lively discussions or quiet time. Lighting is also critical. I look for spaces with great natural light and ideally some sort of outdoor space where people can get some fresh air during the day.
What are some of the perks of working in your office?
Our office has lots of great flexible work areas! People work in the "living room" area or at their desk or outside in the courtyard. Also, since we are a design company, aesthetics are obviously important and we happen to have a beautifully-designed space which affects people's moods immensely. It is nice to come to work everyday in a space that makes you smile. We have amazing snacks, of course, but our favorite company perk is our monthly team outing. We have done everything from salsa dancing lessons to murder mystery dinners! We also host quite a few events for both design and tech, and our team always enjoys these lively gatherings.
Why are those perks important to you?
Do you know the expression "Happy wife, happy life?" It's kind of like that! We believe that the best way to build a business is by hiring fantastic people who believe in what we are building and to focus on keeping them happy! I've found that communication and collaboration are key to keeping a team engaged and excited, and our space allows us to focus on these principles as a business.
How do you think office design affects work culture?
Your office is a reflection of your brand. It is your company's identity and should be taken seriously. We surround ourselves with inspiring and beautiful images and things because it keeps the creativity flowing. The office is tidy and everything is kept in its place to keep our minds at ease. The layout is suited to give us options of where to work and to get our blood flowing during long days! Design is critical to keeping people happy, healthy, and productive.
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Answers from John Ellis, CEO
What were your considerations when picking an office space and designing its layout?
We wanted a space that was open, creative and fun yet still enabled people to collaborate and be productive. We are still very much a startup, though, so cost was a big factor. We found this space that was move-in ready, and we decorated the office with products sold on Tapiture.
What are some of the perks of working in your office?
Of course we offer snacks, free lunches and other perks while in the office, and it helps being just a few blocks from great restaurants, bars, shops and the beach so there are plenty of options after work. However, the best “perk” in my opinion is working with a great team.
Why are those perks important to you?
You can have a great office space and great benefits, but the people make all the difference.
How do you think office design affects work culture?
Your office design is an expression of your company’s culture and the type of work environment you and your coworkers are trying to create. I’ve worked in traditional cubicle farms with high walls where the only way to collaborate is to have a formal meeting. It slows down productivity. You’ll get a lot more open, honest discussion from people sitting in bean bag chairs than you will sitting at a desk. That said, everybody doesn’t have the same work style or same function so it’s important to have a mix of spaces that help everybody be their best and work well together.
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Answers from Jenny Galitz McTighe, vice president of communications and public affairs
What were your considerations when picking an office space and designing its layout?
We were very intentional when we chose our office space. At Zest, we believe that diversity is key to winning, and we hire people who will bring their unique ideas and perspectives to the table. So, we wanted a workspace that would encourage people to work with and get to know people who are different from them — different roles at the company, different backgrounds, different perspectives, etc. Our office space is an open space — nobody has an office and we all work together in one big, open room. We believe that walls create barriers to collaboration, so we don’t have any that separate us when we are working. At the same time, we have spaces that enable teams to collaborate as small groups, like conference rooms and lounge areas with couches and comfortable chairs that facilitate conversation and collaboration.
Additionally, we have a kitchen that is stocked with snacks and has long tables where the entire company eats lunch together. It’s another space that brings Zestians together to spend time with each other and take advantage of the diversity of this great group of people.
We also created spaces that encourage creativity and fun including a room with a ping-pong table, gaming systems, and puzzles.
Our ultimate goal was to design an environment that people want to come to everyday.
What are some of the perks of working in your office?
We offer Zestians the choice of stand up desks or seated desks. We give Zestians whatever computer, chair, keyboard set-up they want to make sure that it works for their working style. We provide catered lunches — that are free of charge to Zestians — Monday through Friday and a fully-stocked kitchen of snacks, beverages, and craft beer on tap. On Tuesdays, all employees have the opportunity to get an in-office manicure, pedicure, or a massage free of charge. We provide onsite car washes once per week, and dry cleaning drop off and delivery service. But, perhaps the greatest perk of all is the opportunity to work with awesome people who love to solve challenging problems and come to work everyday to change the world.
Why are those perks important to you?
We want Zestians to be happy. Happy people have the energy to innovate and build something new — and that’s what we seek to do at Zest everyday.
How do you think office design affects work culture?
Office design is both representative of company culture and influences company culture. How people work together everyday defines the culture and the design of an office shapes how people work. So, we think it’s quite foundational to culture. At Zest, we are very intentional about our culture. We hire for culture fit, we focus professional development on how people positive impact culture, and when we make decisions, we focus on how they will shape our culture. So, when we make decisions about design and space, we are intentional about how they will contribute to creating the culture that makes Zest, Zest.
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Answers from Rod Ebrahimi, head of product and development
What were your considerations when picking an office space and designing its layout?
We chose the Playa Vista/Silicon Beach area because it is in an up and coming tech hub and is attracting top tech talent. Google is opening a new office across the street, and Facebook, Yelp and YouTube are all opening offices in the area. The LA tech scene is only going to keep growing.
What are some of the perks of working in your office?
We order breakfast and lunch every day for our employees and have really worked to make our office feel like a home away from home. Our office is filled with the best and brightest, which makes for a great culture — a great office is nothing without great employees to work with! As for additional perks, our office is centrally located to great restaurants and shops and close to the freeway and beach. Employees can even get their car detailed on the third floor while they work!
Why are those perks important to you?
As Avant continues to grow and scale, we really want to reinforce the tight-knit culture from our early startup days. Providing our employees with a creative and comfortable work environment is imperative to a productive workplace. We support camaraderie both inside and outside of the workplace and organize weekly basketball games for employees to participate in.
How do you think office design affects work culture?
The open workflow of our office is conducive to collaboration and the sharing of ideas. Rather than having a hierarchical structure, we believe that the best idea or solution is what should win. All of our employees share an open working space rather than being closed off in their own offices.
