Dropbox Seattle

Dropbox turned to Best Practice during the pandemic to re-evaluate their existing office space (designed by Best Practice in 2019), and to look forward to the what the future of “work” might be as we progress through these uncertain times.

As the company pivoted to a work-from-home model, the existing office space in the Columbia Center was re-imagined as a drop-in studio. The permanent desking was removed, leaving more room for open lounges, collaboration spaces and conference facilities. The thinking is that while all employees will work from home for the foreseeable future, they will need to come into the studio for trainings, team collaborations around deadlines or projects, and certain tasks that require face-to-face meetings. While some desks remain, they must be reserved beforehand and function more as a touch down space rather than a permanent employee desk.

A new reception desk encircled by a rope wall marks the entry to the office, all the while maintaining the open and airy feeling of the project. The café (created by Best Practice during 2019’s initial renovation) was expanded and incorporated into adjacent lounge spaces. This still functions as a coffee shop and informal meeting place for workers but can double as extra training space or a large collaboration area if needed. Curtains throughout the space create private nooks and quiet zones for people to sit and focus while taking in the view of Elliott Bay beyond.