Airbnb worked with global planning and design firm Gensler to build the company’s new headquarters at 888 Brannan in San Francisco.
The Airbnb founders, Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia, and Nathan Blecharczyk, gave the Gensler project team the task of creating an office that reflected the company’s values, culture, and brand. To fully understand the brand ethos, the Gensler team immersed themselves in the Airbnb offices for four months.
The resulting design of the new office featured an open floor plan with no private offices, and open ceilings and skylights that provide natural light during the day. Although they have assigned desks, employees can choose to work wherever they want on any day. Collaboration and informal meetings are encouraged. Spaces are designed to look like the company’s listings from all over the globe. Some of the “apartments” recreated include a Parisian apartment, a home in Bali, a room in Milan, among others.
The office also features a wall of art pieces by designer and illustrator Timothy Goodman. His art pieces depict “moments” that represent experiences the employees shared over the years.
The new office features special meeting rooms, including a circular boardroom, a library, and a dining area. At the top of the building is the “All Hands Space,” which houses a complex of rooms, a full service kitchen, a storage room, and a large dining area. The space is meant for employees.
The Airbnb founders wanted their new home office to reflect the company’s mission and also wanted their employees to experience travel without actually leaving the building.
