Cloud Computing Industry Reaches New Heights in Design

Mar 11, 2010 - by Robert Wilder

Ad agencies and design firms, as creative shops, have always used the design of their spaces to inspire their employees to creative heights. But, really, it’s in every business owner’s interest, no matter what industry, to build an employee environment that invites creativity and productivity.

Firmex’s software engineers, busily developing hyper-secure code that drives millions of mission-critical documents that are accessed by 10,000s of users every month, should be treated to a space that is as dynamic as their work in the SaaS industry. Also, a large portion of our business as a data room provider is devoted to making our clients happy, with an in-house client services staff working 24/7 to help people with transactions valued in the billions of dollars every month. Happy employees mean happy customers, and a happy employee begins with a great work environment - that’s why I decided to design a new office that was both practical and aesthetically pleasing.

Although I had a brief two months to complete the project with my designer, I knew what I wanted: a simple space, full of natural light, that wouldn’t be overdesigned to the point of distraction.  I wanted the new space to act as a simple canvas for expression. The space itself was inspiring – great views, high ceilings and columns that reminded me of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed SC Johnson building.

We decided to go with a neutral pallet: bright, glossy whites to reflect the light-stream from the multitude of oversized windows; light hardwood flooring and birch-coloured desks, and a strategic use of aluminum-framed glass. The workspaces are sweeping and open to make for easy communication and healthy, unimpeded idea-flow between the Firmex crew.

We now have an ample, well-appointed kitchen and a light-filled lunch area with a custom-designed table that doubles as a breakout room when not in use. We have many employees that ride to work, so we also made sure to include a dedicated bike room. Accents like vintage cameras, antique projectors, computer prototypes, etc., point to the office as a place of innovation.

Like any project, the new office is a work in progress and I will continue to tweak the space as long as we remain in the environment.  Considering Firmex has almost tripled in size over the last 12 months – I have to!