Experiences at Groundspeak

We have a monthly poker night at the office, and do the occasional happy hour in Seattle. Recently the whole office rented a suite at the Key Arena to see the Sonics get destroyed by the Knicks.

For the Kitchy feel we had our holiday party at the top of the Space Needle. It was on one of the high wind days so we had the opportunity to ride the swaying structure.

We've done team building with PlayTime doing - what else? - Geocaching. We're a pretty friendly bunch so we try and do some outings when we can. We even occasionally skip work to go snowboarding and skiing....

The building itself is an old one-story structure with exposed beams and atrium lighting which can keep the entire office bathed in natural light on nice days. There are private offices along the walls and in the center is a wide open space where the new Herman Miller My Studio spaces will be installed in the next month or so. The new offices are set in a cockpit design with high walls for privacy - or if you prefer- sliding windows where you can collaborate with your neighbors....

Generally a large group likes to head over to Westlake to what we call "The Dungeon" - It's not the food court upstairs but a basement area where there you can grab a pizza or burrito. Often the company heads out for sushi as a group. Some folks go out for sandwiches across the street at Top Pot Doughnuts, or bring their lunches to work. We have a larger kitchen now but we're still waiting on furniture, so things at work are still up in the air....

It's typical Seattle. If your threadbare jeans cover up your naughty bits you are in the clear. We have had the occasional formal Friday where we wear suits, tophat and tails, but those days are few and far between.

Trips to Todai for Sushi
The new, improved office
Family atmosphere

Bryan Roth, Elias Alvord and I started Groundspeak in the fall of 2000.