Gaming and drinking at work, Nanopixel installs cinema, fitness and Irish pub
A game of football on the Playstation, pooling, watching a movie with popcorn in hand or just letting steam down on the treadmill. At Nanopixel, specialised in virtual reality, it is possible. The company installed a cinemas room, Irish pub and fitness on staff’s request. “Anyone who graduates now thinks that such a work environment is normally”, says director Dietrich De Blander.
Nanopixel saw the workforce rise from six to forty-five employees in three years. The company has therefore moved to the Meensesteenweg and did so in an impressive way. “I would never want to work in an office where there are only tables and chairs. White fluorescent light does not stimulate, while we have to be constantly stimulated in the creative sector “, says director Dietrich De Blander. “We also find it important that our employees feel at home and also focus strongly on personal growth and the relationship between colleagues. We asked our employees what they really wanted from their ideal workplace and all the crazy ideas were more than welcome. Frankly, I think that they have all remained reasonably good. “
Alcohol
The new offices of Nanopixel nevertheless appeal to the imagination. They are not only very homely, they also offer many possibilities that are not allowed on a ‘normal’ work floor. In which company do you find an Irish pub with pool table and Playstation? Or a cinema room with popcorn machine and a fitness? “No one can concentrate non-stop on his work for eight hours”, according to De Blander. “By giving our people the chance to relax every now and then, we increase their efficiency. They can go to the bar all day and no, we have no rules on alcohol consumption. But I am convinced that colleagues would be surprised if someone would drink alcohol at 10 a.m. The fitness is used before and after working hours and in the afternoon. Much more intensive than I thought and often by groups, which is good for the group feeling. The cinema, with eighteen chairs, is ideal to show our realisations to customers, but is also used for film nights with the staff. “
I would never want to work in an office where there are only tables and chairs. White fluorescent light does not stimulate, while we have to be constantly stimulated in the creative sector.
Nanopixel also features a gym.
The interior has therefore cost a lot more than a traditional interior. “But we are convinced of the added value. These are rather small initiatives with a big impact and in any case you see that more and more companies are evolving towards a different way of working. Especially in our industry.”
And it could indeed be even crazier. Dietrich would have liked to have seen a slide himself, but he would have taken too much space. A ball pool and a full-fledged restaurant with healthy food are also on his wish list. “We still have a lot of cool ideas that we want to realise over time. Although we will first have to expand this “, De Blander concludes.
