Contract - June 2014 - 89

ceilings, and exposed steel studs emphasized with concealed white
LED linear lighting.
"We were able to make a silk ear out of a sow's purse," says
Wilkinson, somewhat unintentionally mixing up the metaphor in a way
that fits Funny or Die's anti-corporate startup mentality and strictly
limited budget for the project.
A raw look that is acoustically refined
To help the young staff keep its tight-knit collegiality in the much larger
new space, Wilkinson added a bright yellow steel staircase to improve
connectivity between the production spaces-stage, prop rooms, and
editing rooms-on the first floor and the main offices and collaboration
spaces on the second floor. The exposed-steel-stud look is carried
throughout the offices. To enclose the main conference room, the
architects added a layer of Homasote to the drywall for additional
acoustic treatment, coupling it on the interior with acoustical
dampening covering the otherwise exposed concrete ceiling. Exposed
electrical and data boxes in the stud wall are encased in fireproofing
putty, which further seals the room from nuisance sound transmission.
In the open office areas, simple industrial fluorescent strip lights
are encased in two fabric-covered acoustical baffles. The use of soft
furniture, like a large sectional sofa in the lounge, helps to further
reduce the noise levels and reinforces the idea of informality and
domesticity. Other furniture on wheels makes it easy to move things
around during ad hoc film shoots. A variety of other workplace furniture
approaches-long tables, individual desks, two-person enclosed
offices-accommodate the company's ever-shifting workforce.
Although Funny or Die has around 65 permanent staff members, with
contractors and other temporary staff, the number of people in the
office sometimes totals more than 100.

A yellow staircase (right) was
added by Wilkinson to easily
connect staff between floors.
Lounges with sectional
sofas (bottom) offer more
casual spots for meetings
and socializing. Pops of color
throughout, including in
lounge and kitchen areas
(opposite two), enliven the
office and contribute to its
"scrappy" vibe.

Key Design Highlights

More enclosed offices than open work areas
Most of the enclosed offices were left relatively unfinished, allowing
employees to select their own paint color and furniture. Unlike other
companies Wilkinson has worked with that prize flexibility for an
ever-changing office environment, Funny or Die has a significantly
stable workforce and prefers individual offices with collaborative
group breakout spaces where needed.
In some places, like a conference room, the staff installed
patio furniture to create an indoor "sun-room" area to gather. Another
conference room, completely enclosed in glass, includes AstroTurf
carpeting and green chairs. The sparing use of blue, yellow, and green
wall paint adds layers of punchiness and fun-in Wilkinson's view, akin
to a kindergarten, intentionally the opposite of sophistication. The color
green repeats in the ground floor stage as a green screen cyclorama
wall, which gives the company's low-budget filmmaking the benefit of
unlimited contexts. The yellow kitchen features a torso-level view slot
around the counter, allowing an almost Hitchcockian view of people
walking by. "We are all voyeurs at a certain level," says Wilkinson.
"That's sort of Funny or Die's thing."
Jana Fain, Funny or Die's director of operations, says staff initially
thought the new office was too nice to move into, especially given the
company's previous tight quarters in an older building. "We weren't
used to having space," Fain says. "And then to see we have room to
grow is pretty exciting." But mainly, Fain feels Wilkinson captured
the company's energy and spirit, as well as expanded opportunities
for filming in the space. "We are all always getting kicked out of our
offices for filming," says Fain, laughing. No one seems to mind, as
long as it's funny. c

The unprocessed look of the
space-which contrasts bright
colors with raw materials-
echoes the youthful, irreverent
premise of Funny or Die.
A variety of acoustic treatments
counteracts the effects of
hard surfaces.
A bright yellow stair connects
first-floor production spaces with
the second-floor office area.
Workspaces and meeting
areas are mostly enclosed,
and slots are strategically placed
in the walls to capture views.

contract

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5/28/14 11:28 AM
Contract - June 2014

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