Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) has unveiled its newest office in Milan, Italy. The Italian headquarters unique design has been inspired by the concept of an Old Italian ice cream parlor, with a modern twist. The idea was for its office to become a real life representation of the kind of atmosphere, and service, that Facebook aims to provide. Italian ice cream parlors were the traditional meeting place for people to discuss a multitude of different topics in much the same way as a coffee shop today.
The Italian Facebook page has only been around since 2008, but it already has over 18 million daily active users. More importantly, more than half of those users are accessing the service through their mobile device. That is slightly lower than in the U.S. but higher than the global average. According to James Quarles, the Regional Director for Southern Europe, Italian users are more active, and have more friends on average, than countries in Northern Europe. It is a well known fact that Italians are extraverted and enjoy chatting. This is reflected in their social media activity.
The new offices are designed to be as comfortable as possible for the employees. There are a variety of different types of games such as table soccer and board games. The inside of the offices has motivational phrases dotted around the walls and there is a fully stocked kitchen including appropriately enough, ice cream. In a break with Italian tradition, Luca Colombo, the Country Manager for Italy, has his desk mixed in with the rest of the employees rather than segregated by panes of glass. Spectacular views of Milan finish off the quintessential Italian feel.
