A Disney Architect Designed This Wacky Company HQ | WSJ Open Office

Key Concepts:

• Epic Systems headquarters: A large, themed corporate campus in Wisconsin.
• Employee well-being and productivity: The driving force behind the campus design.
• Themed architecture: Buildings designed with unique themes like Harry Potter, Wizard of Oz, and Alice in Wonderland.
• Wayfinding: Using landmarks and visual cues to help employees navigate the campus.
• Private offices: A core element of Epic's culture, promoting collaboration and focused work.
• Five-day in-office work policy: A requirement for all employees to foster collaboration and utilize the campus effectively.

Campus Design and Architecture

• Vision: Epic's founder, Judy Falner, envisioned a homey and comfortable work environment.
• Themed Campuses: The headquarters consists of five campuses: Prairie, Central Park, Farm, Wizards, and Storybook, each with distinct architectural themes.
• Wayfinding: Themed elements like castle turrets, subway cars, and treehouses serve as landmarks to aid navigation.
• Building Structure: All 28 office buildings are three stories high to encourage stair use.
• Interior Layout: Each building has a similar interior layout with two parallel hallways, windowless offices in the middle, and offices with windows on the outside. Break rooms, copy rooms, and conference rooms are located in between.
• Central Staircase: Each building features a central staircase with a map of the campus to aid in orientation.

Employee Experience and Culture

• Employee Count: Approximately 13,000 employees work at the headquarters.
• Transportation: Employees use bikes (referred to as "cow bikes") to navigate the large campus.
• Amenities: The campus includes a three-story library, a treehouse conference space, and a New York deli.
• Fun Elements: Unexpected features like indoor slides and life-sized chessboards are incorporated for enjoyment.
• Private Offices: Epic prioritizes private offices for employees to foster focused work and collaboration.
• Office Arrangement: Employees are clustered based on the applications they work on, such as MyChart or Willow, to facilitate collaboration.
• Five-Day In-Office Requirement: Employees are required to work from the office five days a week to maximize the benefits of the campus and foster a collaborative environment.

Cost and Productivity

• Office Cost: The cost of individual offices is the most significant expense in building construction.
• Productivity Gains: Epic believes that the productivity gains from private offices and the overall campus design justify the investment.

Expansion and Future Plans

• Campus Six: Epic is constructing its sixth campus with a sci-fi theme.
• Office Space: The company aims to provide a private office for every employee who wants one.
• Continued Growth: Epic anticipates the need for more office space in the future.

Notable Quotes:

• Architect John Cunningham: "The word was surprises, surprises."
• Epic representative: "Nobody's a number, nobody is just a cog in a wheel."
• Epic representative: "The campus is the biggest recruitment tool."
• Epic representative: "Our um work policy is you come to our your office and you do your work five days a week it just kind of can works as a whole ecosystem that way"

Technical Terms and Concepts:

• Wayfinding: The process of using landmarks and visual cues to navigate a space.
• Electronic Medical Record (EMR): Digital versions of patients' charts.
• MyChart: An online patient portal.
• Willow: A pharmacy application.

Synthesis/Conclusion:

Epic Systems' headquarters is a unique and elaborate corporate campus designed to enhance employee well-being, foster collaboration, and boost productivity. The themed architecture, private offices, and emphasis on in-person work are all strategic elements aimed at creating a positive and engaging work environment. While the initial investment is significant, Epic believes that the long-term benefits in terms of recruitment, retention, and productivity justify the cost. The company's commitment to its unique culture and work environment is evident in its continued expansion and dedication to providing employees with a comfortable and stimulating workspace.