WRNS Studio helped Airbnb expand their existing headquarters, located on the fourth floor of a historic warehouse building in San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood (SOMA). Airbnb wanted their new workplace to reflect who they are ­ scrappy, design-forward entrepreneurs with a simple idea of bringing the world together. But they also needed a more intentional, functional space layout, one in which their employees might easily choose where and how to work. Airbnb needed more thoughtful, scalable, and replicable space to accommodate their rapid growth.

It was clear that priorities included more privacy, good acoustics, and flexibility for current and future operations. People said their best work happened during intentional collaborations and that more, non-reservable space was needed. The original project included a 90,000 square-foot Tenant Improvement to the Third Floor, intended to host up to 500 employees. But as Airbnb continued to grow, so did our scope. Halfway through Construction Documents, the Third Floor was re-designed to hold everyone currently working in San Francisco.

WRNS Studio developed a work canvas, or universal condition and kit of parts to allow anyone across departments (engineers, designers, leadership) to work anywhere. A variety of spaces accommodate solo work and all variety group sizes. The kit of parts can be understood as a well-considered urban framework that transitions and scales easily from the highly public civic arena to the more private and personal spaces. The large floor plate is organized into human-scaled neighborhoods threaded by clear circulation and sightlines across the floor. In addition to the workplace proper (unassigned, individual workstations), spaces accommodate groups of 1-3 (cave), 4-8 (hideout), 7-12 (listing), and 12-20 (garage).

Many of these spaces can open up and grow, by opening the walls or doors. Ample social spaces, and smaller, usable found spaces (nooks, benches) thread the neighborhoods together and enhance the community vibe. The armature for this organization is the historic warehouse building itself, a testament to multi-function, timelessness, and flexibility.