Where you work affects your work. You have to find the places where you work best and settle into routines that helps you to be the most productive. I wouldn’t write an article at a bar, although I am a bar napkin artist. I wouldn’t sketch out a new campaign on a roller coaster, that I save for my epic games of chess.
You should apply the same philosophy to where you work professionally. You need to work in a place that inspires creativity, originality and focus. Recently, I’ve been feeling there’s been a major shift away from the stereotypical, cubicle-packed office and a move toward work spaces that are a bit more conducive to employee collegiality and productivity. I read an article from the Globe and Mail recently that described this exact idea.
With that in mind, I thought that I would put together an article on the greatest office spaces in history, and here’s what I came across.
1. The Death Star
“That’s no moon…that’s a hell of an office.” Complete with turbolasers and tractor beams, the Death Star offers their crew a pretty comprehensive work space. There’s also got to be a pretty great sense of satisfaction in doing routine paper work knowing that one of your stamps of approval could end up destroying a planet.
At least, that’s how I feel when sitting at my desk. I’m not sure what your office is involved in.
The only downsides to the Death Star that I can see are a tendency to attract a lot of attention from rebels and Jedi, and some pretty poor choices made for ventilation.
2. Sky Captain’s Flying Fortress
Until the day that I build my own flying fortress, I would be happy with any job where I get the chance to work on a giant flying aircraft carrier. Planes that double as personal submarines are optional, but would you really turn them down?
Benefits include a great view, fresh air and visits to exotic locales. Not recommended for those who use public transit to get to work.
3. Karl Stromberg’s Underwater Fortress
Call me a sucker for giant, malevolent, hidden bases, but if my office isn’t a flying fortress, an underwater fortress does just as well. Must love sea life, and have be fairly handy with a wrench, because a leaky faucet means something entirely different in this office.
Also, owning an office that is capable of capturing submarines while on the go is definitely something worth mentioning on the company website.
4. Dr. Evil’s Moon Base
It’s got a giant frickin’ lazer beam and a time machine. If they had a few jet packs kicking around, this work place would tip the scales completely into a new level of awesome. These are the kind of office perks that really keep your employees motivated.
Rather than investing in free snacks or a foosball table, why not consider building a moon-based lazer beam to entertain your workers on their downtime?
5. The Fortress of Solitude
Privacy can be essential to your focus. So when you really need to get some work done, consider heading up to Superman’s Fortress of Solitude. I think the crystalline architecture looks pretty impressive, although you may have some difficulty finding a comfortable chair.
Added bonus? You have the entire knowledge of an exploded planet as a desk reference. That has to beat Encyclopedia Britannica.
6. Blofeld’s Hollowed Out Volcano
Nothing says “I’m the boss” like having your office centered over an active volcano. How can you kick that up a notch? Why not keep a giant rocket in there, too.
If you work here, you should also feel good about the fact that your office is fueled by clean, geothermal energy. Remember, just because you’re a megalomaniac that doesn’t mean you can’t have an environmental conscience.
7. Iron Man’s Beach House
An office with all the amenities you need, whether you need to host an elegant meeting, entertain casually, or to design and tailor a suit with the power to wage your own personal war in more style than you could hope to get from a team of Italian tailors.
There’s a definite business advantage to that type of resource, too. Wearing an Italian-made power suit may give you the confidence and presence to get an edge in a meeting, but my feeling is that being able to saw a conference table in half with a wrist-mounted laser’s a little more intimidating.
This office also comes complete with Jarvis, an artificial intelligence for your personal assistant. A refreshing change from a bombshell secretary. Probably more competent, too.
8. Ozymandia’s Arctic Retreat
The Arctic is looking like a popular hang out for geniuses and super-powered professionals. This office comes complete with the ability to create new forms of perfect energy and to vaporize unwanted guests. You know, it that’s what you deal with in your job. At least that would cut down on the number of solicitors.
It’s the perfect place to watch your Machiavellian plans unfold.
9. Syndrome’s Lair
Looking like it belongs as an exhibit in the Epcot Centre, Syndrome’s Island Lair is the futuristic office space you need to begin plotting your own elaborate plans for world domination.
A monorail, a crew of well-dressed, if only moderately competent guards, an elaborate security system, giant, hero-fighting robots and rockets ships (Yes, more rocket ships) round out the features of this work space.
10. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ Subway Hideout
Built into an abandoned subway station, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle’s Hideaway might be one of the best office spaces.
Consider the following: always be on time for a pizza lunch and never be late for another subway train. You can’t put a price on that kind of punctuality.