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IN PHOTOS: A first look at Lazada’s bright new cafeteria-style corporate office in BGC

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ANCX Staff

<p>With the normalization of non-traditional, flexible work styles—mostly an effect of the pandemic and the advent of new technology—it’s just sensible for companies to consider giving their office design a shakeup. Which is what Lazada gave its headquarters in the Philippines recently. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Lazada office" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/culture/2023/11/2lhq.jpg"/><figcaption>Bursts of colors add energy to the Visitor&#x27;s Center. A mural made by local artists is featured on this wall. Photo by Rhia Grana</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Lazada office" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/culture/2023/11/3lhq.jpg"/><figcaption> There is a deliberate effort to make the space look young and fun. Photo by Rhia Grana</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Lazada office" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/culture/2023/11/4lhq.jpg"/><figcaption>Their office murals depict Pinoy culture and values, says Chief Operating Officer Angel Ramiro. Photo courtesy of Lazada</figcaption></figure></div><p>The new Lazada office occupies three floors at the Seven/NEO Building in BGC. What immediately catches the visitor’s attention is how spacious, bright, and airy the collab spaces are. Walking into each of them is like stepping into a breezy cafeteria or hotel lobby where one’s first instinct is to get cozy in one of the chairs.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Lazada office" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/culture/2023/11/5lhq.jpg"/><figcaption>Pauline Castro, Head of Traffic Strategy and Product Operations, and Laz the Lion. Photo courtesy of Lazada</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Lazada office" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/culture/2023/11/7lhq.jpg"/><figcaption>One of the meeting/waiting areas at its Visitor&#x27;s Center. Photo by Rhia Grana</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Lazada HQ" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/culture/2023/11/8lhq.jpg"/><figcaption>Locally made furniture occupy spots at the Lazada HQ. Photo by Rhia Grana</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Lazada HQ" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/culture/2023/11/9lhq.jpg"/><figcaption> They are currently looking at the possibility of holding yoga classes, barbecue nights or happy hour Fridays at their very own al fresco area. &quot;It’s important to take our employees’ wellness into consideration and give them time to disconnect thru different activities,&quot; says Chief Operating Officer Angel Ramiro. Photo by Rhia Grana</figcaption></figure></div><p>Pauline Castro, Head of Traffic Strategy and Product Operations, says this only reflects how important the culture of collaboration is, and openness, in the company. Working tables have no partitions, encouraging effortless table-to-table interaction. Even Lazada CEO Carlos Barrera has opted not to have his own office and to just sit among the teams.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Lazada HQ" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/culture/2023/11/10lhq.jpg"/><figcaption>The collab area sports a youthful vibe, thanks to the colorful murals. Photo courtesy of Lazada</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Lazada HQ" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/culture/2023/11/11lhq.jpg"/><figcaption>&quot;This culture of openness is something that we endeavor to have, to promote cross-functional interaction and to encourage everyone to be comfortable and confident with sharing their ideas and creating a more collaborative organization,&quot; says Chief People Officer Johanna Jacob. Photo courtesy of Lazada</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Lazada HQ" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/culture/2023/11/12lhq.jpg"/><figcaption>Another mural featuring their BGC community. Photo courtesy of Lazada</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Lazada HQ" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/culture/2023/11/13lhq.jpg"/><figcaption>&quot;We wanted our office design to exude the culture, energy, and personality of Lazada and our employees, and so we were very intentional with every detail,&quot; says Jacob. Photo by Rhia Grana</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Lazada HQ" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/culture/2023/11/15lhq.jpg"/><figcaption>Those who need take a power nap may do so at the comfortable sleeping pods, which offer a view of BGC cityscape. Photo courtesy of Lazada</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Lazada HQ" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/culture/2023/11/16lhq.jpg"/><figcaption>“Since we have new joiners who are young, it helps a lot that [our office] looks more modern, more vibrant,” says Castro. Photo courtesy of Lazada<span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255)"> </span></figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Lazada HQ" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/culture/2023/11/17lhq.jpg"/><figcaption>The office has a few small hubs allotted for deep-think and reflection. Photo by Rhia Grana</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Lazada HQ" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/culture/2023/11/18lhq.jpg"/><figcaption>One of the office&#x27;s private meeting spaces. Photo by Rhia Grana</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Lazada HQ" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/culture/2023/11/19lhq.jpg"/><figcaption>A smaller meeting room for pocket meetings. Photo by Rhia Grana</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Lazada HQ meeting room" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/culture/2023/11/lhq.jpg"/><figcaption>The updated aesthetic of the spaces is meant to encourage creativity and a free-flowing of ideas. Photo courtesy of Lazada</figcaption></figure></div><p>Big or pocket meetings and presentations are held inside brightly colored meeting rooms, which are equipped with big computer monitors. Another area for social interaction is the pantry which is always stocked with fresh fruits and free-flowing coffee. But the design did not forget the importance of alone time—the office has a few small hubs allotted for quiet thinking and reflection. Those who need to take break or a power nap may do so in a room filled with comfortable sleeping pods, a room which offers a view of the BGC cityscape. </p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GjPgNUNH4VA?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div><div> </div>

At the new Lazada office, even the CEO prefers not to have his own work desk, preferring instead to sit among his teams.