Most of those motivational posters as well as most company brochures are all gloss and empty words. De-motivational posters such the ones below are quite funny. Sarcasm can be motivational too. Or as this site that creates demotivational posters says: “Demotivators, increasing success by lowering expectations.” 

and I strongly agree with their statement regarding the (de) motivational posters:

“MOTIVATION. Psychology tells us that motivation- true, lasting motivation- can only come from within. Common sense tells us it can’t be manufactured or productized. So how is it that a multi-billion dollar industry thrives through the sale of motivational commodities and services? Because, in our world of instant gratification, people desperately want to believe that there are simple solutions to complex problems. And when desperation has disposable income, market opportunities abound.”

Some pictures of Google’s headquarters.

Is that Royal Dutch Grass?

Nice double height ceiling

Huddle area looks like the walls are made like a huge Vitra Alcove sofa.

Some thoughts on the process of architecture and being an architect:

On talent: not to be confused with success,
On professionalism: not a means to an end,
On motivation: self motivation, what else?
On the size of the company (I get asked this one a lot): size matters only when making love but size will not guarantee an orgasm,
On the choice of a democratic or autocratic process: there is no middle way,
On money: the ultimate art,
On competition: always deadly, whether too much or too little,
On the use of a concept: practice safe design, always use a concept,
On analogy as a source for inspiration: can be as deadly as sleeping with a rattle snake,
On beauty: architecture’s most worn-out crutch,
On integrity: do we need to choose between being a high class prostitute or a crack whore?
On effort: it always takes more,
On good or bad design: the thought itself will lead to the ugly.