Inside LinkedIn’s New Flagship | WSJ Open Office

Summary

LinkedIn's new flagship office in Silicon Valley, Building One, is a hybrid workspace designed to accommodate the post-pandemic work model. With 75 different seating types and reduced desk count to 569, the space encourages flexibility, with employees free to choose from a variety of setups. The design prioritizes social interaction and trust in employees, with co-working areas, tech-equipped conference rooms, and a postures matrix guiding ergonomic seating choices. This innovative approach is seen as a test for the future of workplace design.

Takeaways

• 🏢 LinkedIn's flagship office space has been redesigned with over 75 different types of seating to accommodate various work activities.
• 🔄 The pandemic has significantly influenced the redesign, with 100% of the changes being a direct result of the shift to remote and hybrid work models.
• 📈 The new office layout supports a hybrid work model, reflecting a growing trend with 42% of people in remote-capable jobs working partly from home according to a Gallup poll.
• 🛋️ The office now features a cafe instead of a traditional lobby, aiming to create a buzz and a welcoming atmosphere for employees as they enter the building.
• 👥 Co-working spaces with open, non-reserved seating have been introduced, allowing for flexibility and collaboration among employees.
• 🔧 LinkedIn reduced the number of individual workstations from 1,080 to 569, embracing the idea that not all employees will be in the office for a full eight-hour day.
• 🤝 The office design encourages social interaction with spaces like the cafe and co-working areas, fostering a sense of community among employees.
• 🛋️ 'Neighborhoods' are designated areas for teams, combining traditional desks with alternative workspaces to cater to different work styles and preferences.
• 💡 The 'postures matrix' was used to determine the variety and type of furniture, considering the ergonomics and the duration of use for each workspace.
• 🔍 High-tech conference rooms are designed to make remote participants feel included, with cameras and technology that enhance visibility and interaction.
• 🔄 Desk utilization prior to the pandemic was around 30-40%, indicating that the traditional office setup was not fully utilized, prompting the need for a redesign.
• 🔑 Employees in Building One do not have assigned desks, promoting a more fluid and flexible approach to working within their team neighborhoods.

Q & A

What is the significance of the seating arrangements in LinkedIn's flagship office space?

The office space features over 75 different types of seating, designed to accommodate various work activities, from quick calls to answering emails, reflecting the flexibility needed for a hybrid work environment.

How did the pandemic influence the design of LinkedIn's office space?

The pandemic led to a complete redesign of the office space. Originally planned with traditional desks and conference rooms, it was transformed into a hybrid work model with fewer desks and more nontraditional seating setups to encourage flexibility and adaptability.

What percentage of people with remote capable jobs are working partly at home according to the February Gallup poll mentioned in the script?

According to the February Gallup poll, 42% of people with remote capable jobs are working partly at home.

What is the concept behind the floor planning of Building One in LinkedIn's campus?

The floor planning concept starts with a social entry point with a cafe and becomes more focused as one moves deeper into the building, creating a balance between social interaction and focused work areas.

How many workstations were initially planned for Building One before the pandemic?

The original floor plans for Building One called for 1,080 individual workstations.

What was the change in the number of workstations after LinkedIn retooled the space with the help of NBBJ?

After the redesign, the number of desks was cut in half to 569 workstations, and dozens of new, nontraditional seating setups were added.

What is the purpose of the co-working spaces introduced in the redesign?

Co-working spaces are designed for open, non-reserved seating, allowing employees to work in a more flexible environment, suitable for shorter work periods or team collaboration.

How does LinkedIn approach the concept of employees working from the office and from home?

LinkedIn leads with trust, allowing employees to make decisions that are best for them and their team, whether it involves working from the office for half the day or working from home.

What is the postures matrix and how does it influence the office space design?

The postures matrix is a concept that combines the amount of time a person is expected to work on a certain activity with the ergonomics needed to support that activity, influencing the design of various seating options in the office.

How does LinkedIn address the issue of desk utilization in a hybrid work environment?

LinkedIn addresses desk utilization by not assigning desks to employees, allowing them to choose seats within their team's neighborhood, and by observing and adapting to how the space is used over time.

What technological features are incorporated in LinkedIn's conference rooms to enhance remote collaboration?

Conference rooms are equipped with table-height cameras that reframe to better show the speaker and 'ghosting' technology that allows remote participants to see what is being written on the whiteboard without the writer blocking the view.

How does LinkedIn view Building One as a test for the future of work?

Building One is seen as an opportunity for experimentation and observation to determine what works best in a hybrid work environment. The space is entirely flexible and can be adapted to future needs, whether that involves more desks or a completely different model.