'Office Space'

The Penthouse Office - Not Your Typical Workplace

Take a look at the stereotypical office: The artificial lighting and bleak furnishings in a cubicle resembles more of a padded jail cell without a door. Like the rest of the other inmates, those 40 weekly hours amount to planned water cooler breaks and secret interoffice chats.

Going to work shouldn’t feel like a prison sentence.

Remodeling an office from the bottom up is guaranteed to create a positive work environment (see ‘Brotherly Love’ article), but often it’s the select personal objects that make you feel most at home. And if you’re anyone like me, then you do spend a considerable amount of time plugging away both at your work desk and home office.

Fortunately, the design and layout of my penthouse office is on the cusp of modernity with its innovative furniture and minimal clutter. The bare sliding glass doors that run the length of the office give way to the deck, which overlooks the Hudson River and the New York City skyline.

The loft size of the suite is broken up by rows of large black closets. Being a high fashion and design firm, one closet is covered with futuristic calendar spreads – models against a psychedelic backdrop of colors and shapes. The amount of storage streamlines the work space, hiding excess office supplies and personal belongings.

The artwork and bright chairs at the entrance serve as accent colors to the pristine white walls and desks. Cubicles do not exist here. Regardless of rank, everyone works together – as evidenced by the egalitarian setup of the desks.

Keeping the décor sleek and providing one of the sought after vistas are the key design elements to this space. Its appearance is proof that even the simplest design concepts are effective.

But there is always room for a few personal objects to be thrown in the mix. One coworker from Hong Kong plush zebra for her mobile, a flip-book of photographs of family and a ceramic Snoopy figurine that doubles as a calendar. Another colleague has a stuffed zebra next to her PC. And my boss has his rubber-band ball and collection of books.

And me? I have photos from my travels to Europe, A.P. stylebooks and the latest in my favorite fashion and design magazines.

I say that if you’re going to do time, you might as well make yourself at home.

-S. Gonzalez