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Coolest Cubicle Contest, Part Two
Posted by Adam Pash at 9:15 AM on March 7, 2008
Last week we kicked off our Coolest Cubicle Contest with a bang, but we had no idea what kind of cubicles would come pouring in after you saw the first batch. This week, we're looking at everything from wood-paneled cabins to dungeons and castles and beyond. So hit the jump to see how your fellow Lifehackers are making the most of their company-issued cube-shaped corner of the world.
Cabin Fever
Reader Angie Jantz says: "Everyone needs a place to do their business. Not that kind of business, sicko, the work kind. Being a graphic designer and a random person in general, I like to be in an environment that inspires me creatively, usually that means something a bit off the beaten path. I have done some smaller cube themes before but fairly contained and just generally on the weenie scale."This one is all cabin. Full on faux - wood panelling (contact paper), animal heads and bodies (stuffed and inflatable, naturally) flowers, and artwork. Apparently I was going for John Waters does The Great Outdoors kind of look. And look, there it is. Majestic. (One lone tear just rolled down your right cheek, didn't it?)"
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Cubicle Castle
Reader Bjorn Leffler says: "Here's is my office cubicle. I wanted to create something fun and playful to cheer up the surrounding office space. Everything was built from scratch and tailor made to fit the size of the cubicle." Check out more details from Bjorn, including how he built a second story (!) to his cubicle, in the gallery.
The Torture Chamber
Reader Lydia Pope says: My cubicle is a dungeon! A Torture Chamber to be more precise. I designed it to get in the mood for work. *smiles with an evil grin* The theme of it is based on my character's profile. I work for Sony Online Entertainment as a Community Relations Manager. My avatar character name is Zatozia the Torturess. (Full title Zatozia the Torturess in the Shadows). Zatozia is an evil dark elf full of hate and pure evil. She was created by an evil god name Innoruuk who sculpted her to torture everyone.
My cubicle was transformed back in October 2007. After Halloween ended, everyone kept asking me when I was taking down my Halloween decorations. I kept responding, "What's Halloween?" Check the gallery for the entire lore behind her cubicle.
Espresso Cubicle
Reader Matt Smith says: "The crown jewel of my cube isn't what's in front of me, but rather what I have right behind me. I run a commercial-grade espresso machine from my cube, complete with a Mazzer Mini grinder, milk fridge, and assortment of syrups and flavorings. As the mood strikes, I need only turn around to make myself a latte or skim coconut mocha with an extra shot. (For any coffee geeks, I pull Intelligentsia Coffee's Black Cat Espresso Blend) I have a tip jar and open door policy next to the machine to keep my coworkers happy and caffeinated." 
Star Wars and Guitars
Reader Steven Crouch says: "I am an Interactive Designer on Fender's web team, and I like to have lots of fun stuff around me to keep me inspired. There may be quite a bit on my desk and cubicle walls, but everything has its place and is always organised. All day long I get visitors to my cube to hang out and everyone either plays with something or comments on something they see ... Particularly the Star Wars merchandise." Hit the gallery for a closer look and more descriptions from Steven.
Tear Down and Build Up
Reader Ted McDonald offers five simple steps to turning your little corner of the world into a cool cubicle:
- Remove the crummy built-in cubicle desk and cabinets
- Put in a real desk and file cabinet, so that you're facing sunlight and keeping people from looking over your shoulder
- Cover the vomit-coloured cubicle walls with coloured corrugated paper
- Throw in some real chairs and lamps
- Plaster walls with photos and pictures of what motivates you.
And that's it for week two, thanks to everyone who submitted. If you've submitted but haven't seen your cubicle yet, we've got one more week to go, so your cubicle may grace our pages yet.
Tags: contests | coolest cubicle contest | feature | gallery | workspaces
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
bunkka
Posted 4:48 AM 7/3/08
love the castle!
bunkka
Outtacontext
Posted 4:48 AM 7/3/08
We have that very moose head over our mantle. Sometimes plastic IS better than organic.
Outtacontext
mrmysterious
Posted 4:48 AM 7/3/08
Wow! You guys have some great workspaces! I have an office but it pales in comparison to these.
mrmysterious
3ZKL
Posted 5:23 AM 7/3/08
DAMN! I was hoping to still have the edge. . .but a cube castle?! wow!
3ZKL
ceez
Posted 5:56 AM 7/3/08
man those are some cool lookin' work areas!
now i wonder if some of you guys just set it up like that for the contest or is this your regular every day workarea?!!?
and where do you guys work? I wanna work there too! network administrator anyone?!!? :)
ceez
itloser
Posted 5:56 AM 7/3/08
All the cubes are nice, however so far I have to say the edge goes to the castle. If not for the sole fact that you managed to build a "semi-functional" 2nd floor. You have essentially found a way to make my office dreams come true... a nap room!
itloser
DudeAsInCool
Posted 6:31 AM 7/3/08
Wow!
DudeAsInCool
ihakes
Posted 7:06 AM 7/3/08
I'd love to do this (particularly some of the tear down and build up ideas), but corporate policies prevent us from:
a) removing any materials (chairs, furniture, cabinets) from a workspace
b) having any "appliances" plugged in -- I had to take my tiny 2-cup electric kettle home after a security sweep deemed it to be in violation
c) having anything over the top of our 6' cube height.
Grrr.
ihakes
baconner
Posted 7:45 AM 7/3/08
i don't think I've ever worked anyplace that would let you do such drastic construction.... blows my mind a little.
I have to say though a lot of these workspaces just seem super-cluttered to me. I don't know how to work at all without a totally clear workspace. That castle though has a nice cozy dungeon feel inside with the light coming through the "roof." I think I could write some serious code in there if I cleaned off the desk and stole matts espresso machine.
baconner
GeorgiaBoot
Posted 7:45 AM 7/3/08
Wow, Cubicle Castle is insane! Second Floor! You are either the boss of the company or you have one of the sweetest work environments known to me...
Major Props goes to you for that!
GeorgiaBoot
z974647
Posted 8:21 AM 7/3/08
Our company won't even let us bring in our own chairs!
I'm envious of you guys!
z974647
liusihao
Posted 10:05 AM 7/3/08
Why every cubicle has to have a computer? And a cool workspace usually involves a dual-screen setup. My workspace does not have a computer, but I still think it is cool. All I have are pipettes, tubes, plates, chemicals, cells, viruses, and mice......
liusihao
genderbunny
Posted 1:45 AM 8/3/08
Damn, I'm jealous. At my place of work, most of us are limited to adding a toolbox and / or radio to our forklifts.
genderbunny
onesix18
Posted 1:45 AM 8/3/08
Matt Smith, you have a wonderful workspace. Good natural light, a good ergo chair (I have one myself), dual monitors, and...what's this?...a good quality espresso machine? Nice... I have a Quickmill Anita at home myself. That Rancilio is a well-regarded machine as well. Oh, and by the way, it's looks like you're getting something done besides just decorating your workspace.
onesix18
upfromcubicle
Posted 4:17 AM 8/3/08
Espresso cubicle is waaaay too nice to be in this contest--no walls! Such a nice building! I'm dying of jealousy.
upfromcubicle
Jed Taylor
Posted 9:00 AM 8/3/08
The moose is tops, until someone comes up with a sasquatch alternative.
Jed Taylor
Jed Taylor
kat5
Posted 9:00 AM 8/3/08
I am now inspired to do something.... anything with my boring office. I now have cubicle envy.
kat5
ecobore
Posted 10:54 PM 8/3/08
Jeez, it is hard to imagine having to work in a cubicle... it is kind of like a little prison cell! - never done it, never will.. c'mon people. You're all smart.. work for yourselves - AT HOME!
ecobore
lestat730
Posted 3:57 PM 15/3/08
If only I could get away with massive cubicle modification!
lestat730