Comments on: Step into my parlor ...

Question: Step into my parlor ...

Allee Katze — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 11:33:31 -0800

Some time back I either read in a magazine or saw on TV an article about a company that provided their employees with small cottages or sheds as their work space.

The cottages were in a large hangar/warehouse like area and were arranged in blocks with streets. Each employee was free to decorate their cottage as they liked and they were encouraged to throw "block" parties and such. Pixar does something similar but it doesn't seem to be to the extent that I remember seeing. I would love to see pictures or read more about this. Googling brings up a random picture of the Pixar workspace and not much detail. Thank you!

By: cooker girl

cooker girl — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 12:23:19 -0800

The phrase you're looking for is "company housing," and Google brings up loads of images of old company housing.

When I combine Pixar in the search, I get information that Pixar provides interns with housing, but not permanent employees.

By: NotMyselfRightNow

NotMyselfRightNow — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 12:36:49 -0800

cooker girl, I think you're confusing this with company housing. These shacks are actually a substitute for cubicles and offices, to be used by employees during the workday.

By: teh asset

teh asset — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 13:07:36 -0800

It sounds like you are thinking of Developer Town.

They showed up in Forbes late last year.

By: Allee Katze

Allee Katze — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 13:41:33 -0800

Thank you! I think that's exactly it! What a cool work environment, that must be wonderful.

By: Ruthless Bunny

Ruthless Bunny — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 13:51:39 -0800

It looks neat, but those work environments can be set ups for 70-hour work weeks.

Apple used to do all that social stuff, and have couches for sleeping and stuff to keep people on-site.

By: L'Estrange Fruit

L'Estrange Fruit — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 21:49:40 -0800

Pixar has this for their developers, as you say. I've been in the room and it's AWESOME. All the houses are about garden-shed sized and in different styles from white-picket-fence to tiki hut, to an enormous castle at one end. All of the wiring is run along telephone poles.

By: epanalepsis

epanalepsis — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 06:30:47 -0800

"Workforce housing" is an old idea, 19th century factories sometimes had attached or adjacent buildings that were basically dorms. Cottages is a cuter presentation but like NotMyself and Ruthless Bunny mention, the point was that you never really went home, you lived at work.

By: Authorized User

Authorized User — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 02:18:27 -0800

Are you people daft? These are not company housing. They are just a cool way to give everyone an office.

By: cooker girl

cooker girl — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 11:30:56 -0800

Ah. I see I read the question wrong. Very cool!