Spaces Support Myriad Activities
There’s no single space that supports all the ways LinkedIn engineers work. In addition to personal workspaces and Dynamic Team Zones, several other types of spaces help people work, recharge, or just blow off steam and have a little fun. This allows people to flow throughout the building, encouraging movement and offering variety so they don’t feel stuck in one place all day.
Spaces that support collaboration include traditional conference rooms, as well as informal ancillary spaces that are designed to be adaptable with components like mobile whiteboards for impromptu idea sharing. These flexible spaces are suited for many purposes, and their purpose changes based on the needs of the people who use them.
There are also places designed for quiet and privacy. A library where there is no conversation gives engineers a place for uninterrupted focus work, as well as a place to relax, unwind, and recharge. A respite room caters to both meditation and mindfulness. Café booths for uninterrupted conversation are acoustically designed to keep private conversations private. Phone booths for calls and video conferences allow for privacy and keep conversations from disturbing others.
Expansive central areas are often used for hosting large gatherings and other events. A custom staircase with theater-style seating provides a place for people to sit, relax, or have a one-on-one meeting. Community and lounge spaces support a variety of ways of working and taking a break.
A game room and maker space were added to foster creativity and innovation. These unique, playful places also allow people to mentally and physically shift gears for a short time. Sometimes, a game of pinball or experimenting with a 3D printer is the best way for LinkedIn engineers to get out of day-to-day routines.