A Chinese decoration company has sparked online controversy and amusement after it converted a drained swimming pool into a temporary office.
Staff get down to business in the “deep end” before exiting the office using the original poolside ladders.
The quirky set-up came to light after an employee from Luban Decoration Group, based in Chengdu, Sichuan province, southwestern China, posted a video online entitled “Swimming Pool Transformed into Office Space”.
The clip quickly went viral.
According to Cover News, the company’s gym, swimming pool and office area are all on the same floor. A glass door next to the gym takes staff into the so-called pool office.
The creation has largely retained its original structure, with signs reading “swimming area” and “deep water area 1.55m” still visible. Employees access their desks using the pool’s original handrails.
One member of staff said the pool was converted because of renovations and that they had been working there for two months.
Photos and videos trending online show five rows of desks, each with eight fully equipped workstations. Electricity is supplied via sockets on the floor and extension cables.
A male employee quipped that when he looks down from his desk, he sees the pool’s lane markings, making each workstation feel like a small diving tank.
“I feel like I am in a science fiction film; it is so outlandish, yet cool. I could brag about this office environment for a year!” he said.
Despite the initial amusement, the unusual office quickly drew criticism from online observers who raised concerns about fire safety.
Wang Ming, partner of Beijing Yingli Law Firm, said issues included blocked evacuation routes and the lack of essential fire safety features.
The office arrangement also sparked lively discussion online.
“This sunken office set-up is truly unique. If you try to slack off, the boss just needs to take a few steps and the entire office is in view. It is even more effective than surveillance cameras!” one person said.
Another added: “There could be fire safety concerns. Swimming pools and office spaces are subject to different building codes.”
“An underwater office might look trendy, but the humidity could cause rheumatism. Sitting for long hours in the deep end? My joints would not survive,” quipped a third.
The local fire department later confirmed to Red Star News that they had investigated and that the company had vacated the temporary office.
