The open office has been at the center of controversy amongst HR professionals ever since it was introduced. It facilitates interaction at the cost of focus, and saves money at the cost of productivity. Just imagine how much worse it would be if the office were truly open to everyone…that’s what Detroit interior design firm dPop did.
Every month, the company invites literally anybody to work in its underground studio, a repurposed bank vault which dPop refers to as a speakeasy. In reference to the studio space, the open office days are called ‘workeasies’, and guests are allowed to come and work between 8am and 5pm and share in the company’s free coffee, internet and snacks.
Up to 30 people show up at each event, and dPop’s social media feeds give them a password in advance for added security.
“It brings a great energy to the space,” CEO Melissa Price told Quartz. “More people, more energy.”
The idea comes at a time when many companies are embracing the idea of co-working spaces for their own employees. Plantronics, Cisco and
Google have all been known to hire offices in co-working spaces for their remote employees who may need somewhere to work outside their homes – or even simply as a place for them to work outside the office and encounter new networks and ideas.
