The New Cisco San Francisco Offices Feature Wooden Pavilions & Sunken Seating Areas

Cisco had to move into a new office space because the old one had become too small. Their new San Francisco headquarters was designed by Studio O+A. The interior is, as expected from such a big company, very friendly and functional. The headquarter occupies two floors and has waterfront views, with a total surface of 110,000 square feet.

Cisco offices by Studio OA11

The design created aimed primarily at maximizing daylight and creating a bright and open atmosphere. Another important goal was to provide communal areas where the staff could exchange ideas, brainstorm, interact and communicate. Before coming up with a design for this new space, the team asked for feedback from the staff regarding the things they liked about their old office and from there they created a custom design.

Cisco offices by Studio OA11
Cisco offices by Studio OA11
Cisco offices by Studio OA11
Cisco offices by Studio OA11

The headquarters has wood-frame pavilions partially enclosed with triangular panels and these serve as meeting spaces. There are also sunken seating areas, a design chosen in order to avoid blocking the light coming through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Cisco offices by Studio OA11
Cisco offices by Studio OA11
Cisco offices by Studio OA11
Cisco offices by Studio OA11
Cisco offices by Studio OA11
Cisco offices by Studio OA11

A wide open staircase connects the two levels. The color palette is diverse and includes neutral shades, natural wood as well as variety of bold colors which bring energy into the spaces and makes them feel dynamic and friendly. Another fun detail is the fact that the hallways are wide and thus the employees can use their bikes or skateboards to circulate between the different zones.