Months after our quest to find some of the snazziest offices in the Mid-Atlantic, we've journeyed to the nation's capital to find more of the coolest offices--this time, however, we wanted to discover the companies with some of the most unique office perks we've seen. For purposes of conducting the research, we were broadly defining a perk as anything from cultural or tangible/intangible benefits to areas in an office that exude a real "wow" factor. So without further ado, and with collaborative help from the commercial real estate experts at Savills Studley along with leading architects involved in steering the design charge, please enjoy these carefully hand-picked perks that will leave you wanting some serious office upgrades:
A special thank you to Jon Glass, Greg Scheipers, Ryan Miller, and Nicole Miller for the assistance in curating these gems!
Alarm.com
Alarm.com is a technology company that provides cloud based services for remote control, home automation, and monitoring.
Perk: Oxygen room
Architect: OTJ Architects
From the expert:
"The 'oxygen room' in Alarm.com's Tyson's Corner office space is truly unique, including live plants and trees in a gorgeous glass enclosure with bench seating--it's stunning." --Nicole Miller, senior managing director, Savills Studley
From the insider:
"Our oxygen room with living plant walls, specialized air quality, and lighting that changes to mimic the outdoors, and our 350-gallon pond in the center of our communal kitchen keep our employees productive and balanced in our fast-paced tech environment." --Victoria Schillinger, vice president of human resources, Alarm.com
iStrategyLabs
iStrategyLabs invents digital and physical experiences for the world's biggest brands.
Perk: Hidden passageways
Architect: Wingate Hughes
From the expert:
"It's hard to pinpoint just one perk that makes this space unique--every corner of the office is designed to surprise and impress. The space has a library with a secret passageway to a production studio, a hardware workshop that would make any tech-ed teacher jealous, a 1960s VW van that doubles as a conference room, and a fully stocked bar within the kitchen." --Jon Glass, corporate managing director, Savills Studley
From the insider:
"Just like at home, the kitchen is one of the main focal points of our office. You are guaranteed to find people hanging out, co-working, or noshing. It's an awesome space to chill in between meetings or just for a change of scenery." --Margot Mausner, producer, iStrategyLabs
American Gaming Association (AGA)
The American Gaming Association is a United States gaming industry association that addresses federal, legislative, and regulatory issues affecting the casino industry.
Perk: Immersive gaming environment and themes
Architect: OTJ Architects
From the expert:
"The American Gaming Association's office space includes a huge sports ticker in the reception and conference areas, slot machines in the break room, and a large poker table in one of their conference rooms, making for a truly one-of-kind, very memorable space with incredible branding throughout." --Nicole Miller
From the insider:
"AGA's office demonstrates our pride in the gaming industry and provides a unique opportunity to celebrate the industry with media, members of Congress, and other opinion leaders. The sports ticker, in particular, is a staff favorite and an appropriate feature, as we work with stakeholders to remove the federal ban on sports betting across the country." --Erik Balsbaugh, vice president of public affairs, AGA
Booz Allen Innovation Center
Booz Allen's Innovation Center enables great ideas to converge and advance how the company builds value.
Perk: Pure innovation
Architect: OTJ Architects
From the expert:
"From cutting-edge technology provided by partners such as Microsoft and Intel, to an on-site 'internet of things' laboratory, Booz Allen's Innovation Center at 15th and I(deas) Street, NW offered a unique physical space 'for ideas to collide' to facilitate in the solving of their customers' most complex problems. Oh, and robots actually roam the office." --Nicole Miller
From the insider:
"Having a collaborative space like this sets the conditions for innovation to occur; the flow of ideas, relationships, technology, and talent within and across this space allows us to create better solutions for clients more quickly." --Kurt Scherer, director, Booz Allen Innovation Center
Capital One
Capital One Labs is the experimental product and technology team for Capital One.
Perk: Flexibility
Architect: Gensler
From the expert:
"Capital One prides itself on being an innovative technology company, not just a brick and mortar bank. This is evidenced by the flexible walls seen throughout their new space, which allow teams to construct the size and shape of their workspace depending on the task/assignment." --Ryan Miller, managing director, Savills Studley
From the insider:
"The space was intentionally designed to be simple, flexible, and easy-to-use to allow teams to do complex work. [It] came to life by way of two important design elements--the city grid and the playground." --Michelle Cleverdon, workplace design strategy, Capital One
Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT)
The CDT is a champion of global online civil liberties and human rights, driving policy outcomes that keep the internet open, innovative, and free.
Perk: Roof deck
Architect: Stantec
From the expert:
"One of CDT's main focuses for their space is convening and bringing people together. An impressive outdoor terrace was built that can accommodate over 75 people for an event, and when unused, employees can take advantage of it as well." --Greg Scheipers, corporate managing director, Savills Studley
From the insider:
"A reoccurring mantra at CDT is to think about our wellness, and our
new space was designed to carry that message throughout. With lots of
natural light, organic surfaces, spaces for creativity, and varied types
of communication, we move and engage naturally." --Tim Hoagland, digital strategist, CDT
CustomInk
CustomInk is the leading provider of custom apparel and accessories for groups and occasions.
Perk: State-of-the-art patio
Architect: Davis, Carter, Scott Ltd.
From the expert:
"CustomInk's space reflected their want to be "connected". They specifically selected a building and designed a space that allows them to be connected to the community, their product, the customer, and each other, while remembering where the company started on the green couch." --Greg Scheipers
From the insider:
"The character of CustomInk is built on the foundation of our Core Values: the Golden Rule, Ownership, and Innovation. We emphasize these values in everything we do--the way we work, our commitment to every customer, and how we treat one another." --Cooper Westbrook, lead service representative, CustomInk
National Restaurant Association
The National Restaurant Association is a trade organization offering certification, training materials, startup advice, education resources, and industry news and trends.
Perk: Commercial kitchen
Architect: OTJ Architects
From the expert:
"Padma Lakshmi, if you happen to be reading this, we've got the perfect site for Top Chef season 15. No seriously, 5-star restaurants would be lucky to have this kitchen and event space. If I worked here, I'd never have a reason to leave the office." --Jon Glass
From the insider:
"The National Restaurant Association's office space facilitates open communication and engagement for all of our employees, partners, and guests. As a leader in the hospitality business, we want to make sure everyone who visits our office feels welcomed and at home." --Barbara Polk, chief administrative officer, National Restaurant Association
PhishMe
PhishMe is an American information-security company that provides technology to help organizations train their employees to identify potential phishing risks.
Perk: Shuffleboard
Architect: INTEC Group, Inc.
From the expert:
"PhishMe's space promoted collaboration, community, and a work hard/play hard environment with an interaction meeting/gaming area to include a full size shuffle board--along with a 'swag store' where employees could provide points and reward fellow employees with merchandise for extraordinary work." --Nicole Miller
From the insider:
"PhishMe's dynamic and open office environment encourages an open exchange of ideas and ignites innovation. This has allowed PhishMe to become the No. 1 Best Place to Work by the Washington Business Journal." --Karen Chiappetta, vice president of human resources, PhishMe
Truth Initiative
Truth Initiative speaks, seeks, and spreads the truth about tobacco through education, tobacco control research and policy studies, and community activism and engagement.
Perk: Environment of total collaboration and wellness
Architect: HLW International
From the expert:
"The Truth Initiative's inspiring mission to end tobacco use and promote a healthy lifestyle is embodied in such detail throughout the space." --Jon Glass
From the insider:
"Our office was created to be a physical reminder of our core values of courage, curiosity, collaboration, and commitment; and to reflect those we serve. Our mission is to achieve a culture where all youth and young adults reject tobacco." --Robin Koval, president and CEO of Truth Initiative.
Honorable Mentions
Fried Frank
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP is an international law firm.
Perk: Breathtaking views (White House)
Architect: Gensler
MOI
MOI is a full-service furniture dealership.
Perk: Quiet car
Architect: Gensler
Optoro
Optoro is the world's leading reverse logistics platform.
Perk: Multi-functional kitchen (events and communal kitchen)
Architect: Wingate Hughes
PenFed
PenFed is a federal credit union.
Perk: Board room
Architect: Gensler
Social Tables
Social Tables provides event software for properties and planners.
Perk: Speakeasy/game room
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Miss any good ones? Let me know in the comments, or submit it here for future consideration!