Located at Raffles City Tower, a leading  security company’s new Singapore office is designed to facilitate their technical operations efficiently and display a strong brand identity and global presence.   

AHEAD OF ITS TIME 

For the past 23 years, they have established presence in 16 countries worldwide with multiple regional offices. Inspired by the range of technological solutions they provide, DB&B’s design for the front office exudes a futuristic vibe with the use of coloured florescent lights embedded within the walls.  To highlight this concept, hexagonal shapes and sleek light strips are applied throughout the space.  

FUTURISTIC WELCOME 

Leveraging on the layout of the main entrance, the design of the arrival space is kept minimalist and lined with florescent light to mimic a hi-tech portal. The waiting area for guests is fitted with alcove seats in the shape of a hexagon and accompanied with comfortable lounge chairs in matching colours. 

MULTI-PURPOSE DRIVEN 

Connected to the waiting area, a lounge is created to serve as the social centre of the office. This space can be used to host guests, or for employees to congregate for meals and open discussions. To facilitate periodic lunch and learn sessions, loose furniture curated here allows for flexible reconfiguration. Next to the lounge is the boardroom designed for meetings that require a formal and private setting.  

A GLOBAL PRESENCE 

For semiprivate discussions, separate booths are carved out along a corridor. The booth seats are framed with silhouettes of landmarks from Singapore, Boston and Israel, a strong reference to where their headquarters are located, reflecting their global presence. 

USER-CENTRIC WORKSPACE 

The company also prioritises the internal security protocols set for their employees. To support the functions of their IT Team efficiently, the back office is thoughtfully laid out with a hub to provide IT support to the employees. This space is paired with a dry pantry and bar seats so employees have a waiting space while their equipment is being looked into.  

Workstations are also configured differently to meet the needs of various departments. Desks for the IT department are specially selected to match with confidentiality requirements, while other teams allow for more transparency, without panels. To encourage movement throughout the day, height adjustable 120-degree workstations are also available.  

For private discussions at the back office, phone rooms, meeting spaces and private offices are lined along the inner perimeter of the space. To inject textures into the meeting spaces, the rooms are cladded with backlit acoustic panels. 

A WELL-BALANCED SPACE 

Overall, this 10,700 square feet space is designed to honour the brand identity and needs of their employees. The mix of open collaboration spaces and private rooms, along with customised amenities work well together to create a well-balanced space for their Singapore team.  

*This story was first published in Office Concept Magazine, Issue VI6N1, MCI (P) 067/03/2023. 

Advocating A Culture

Amazon’s main office entrance makes a statement with feature walls flanking both sides of the reception area. Apart from Amazon’s signature logo serving as a backdrop for the reception counter, the opposite wall features a neon light advocating the DAY 1 culture and greeting all employees as they make their way into the office.

Throughout this multi-level office, the design concept is strongly influenced by Amazon’s corporate culture, with hints of local Singapore flavours to create a unique identity within the company’s larger portfolio of offices. Internal corridors are cladded with powerful environmental graphics that narrate their leadership principles as well as a journey through Amazon’s history – taking pride in being Earth’s most customer-centric company, best employer, and safest place to work.

Flexibility Is Key

To accommodate Amazon’s expanding workforce, selected collaboration hubs are furnished with movable furniture which can easily make way for additional work stations to welcome new employees. Depending on the number of new additions to the team, these furniture can be partially or fully reallocated to another space without compromise to the overall aesthetics and functions of the space.

Designed to be a multipurpose space, two large training rooms are separated by an operable wall so the space to open up for larger groups and townhalls. These two rooms are also cleverly connected through their wall design, which features the iconic Singapore skyline surrounding the space. For events and parties which require pantry access, another operable wall can further open up the rooms to a fully equipped pantry dubbed as ‘The Social Hub’.

The Social Hub

To create a main space where employees can host their guests for a quick discussion, or for co-workers to congregate and wind down after their daily grind, we planned for a social hub that offers panoramic views of the Singapore skyline. Seating is also designed to fit various group sizes – ranging from individual bar seats to large communal tables.

The vibrancy of this social hub is radiated through its design elements. ‘Invent and simplify’, being one of Amazon’s leadership principles, is displayed in neon lights on a suspended mesh structure that houses the industrial lighting for the bar top. Nestled at the corner of the hub is a product display area, where guests can learn of Amazon’s wide offerings of products and solutions.

Extending Out

Located at the heart of Singapore – Asia Square, Amazon’s office enjoys panoramic views from all sides of the office. To create an illusion of extended space, carpeting used along the perimeters of the office mimics the colours of the environment outside the windows – red roofed shop-houses, the sea, or a yellow building.

Activating Movement

Collaboration hubs and touchdown spaces are scattered throughout the floorplate to empower employees to choose where they want to work depending on their task on hand. Interspersed within their three level office are fifty breakout areas and five big meeting rooms as well as open space discussion areas for employees to have casual discussions or brainstorming sessions.

To facilitate a hybrid workforce, all meeting rooms and training rooms are AV/VC capable and are equipped with video-conferencing capabilities to connect with colleagues working remotely efficiently.

Engaging The Team

With multiple stakeholders present in the same office, recreational spaces were carved out to foster interaction and relationship building. Making good use of their ample wall space, activities such as scrabble,  chess, snake and ladder and spin the wheel are mounted on the walls along corridors near pantry spaces and collaboration hubs. Foosball and billiard tables are also available for employees to enjoy an occasional match with their colleagues. 

Growing Responsibly

Adopting environmentally-friendly materials for the design was one of the key goals of our design team. Thoughtful selection of carpets made from sustainable material, use of low VOC paint, recycling bins placed around the office, and zoned lighting for energy efficiency – all in line with Amazon’s sustainability efforts around the world. These efforts have earned Amazon their first LEED Gold award in Asia.

A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING

With the help of an independent workplace consultant, SAP reassessed their office footprint and sought to redesigned it for a hybrid workforce. Through their utilization study, we understood that 88% of employees spent less than half of their working day at their desks.

Drawing insights on collaboration patterns and the needs of different departments, we planned a diverse range of configurations to suit different group sizes and work settings. This agile design creates a palette of place that encourages people to change postures, move around throughout the day, and be more engaged with their colleagues and workplace. To bring the outdoors in, the new activity-based work areas are biophilic and nature-themed.

CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

SAP is committed to protecting the environment and continuously improving its environmental performance. In response to this, and to align with the Singapore Green Plan for a sustainable future, we sought to ensure at least 5% of the total space is dedicated to eco-friendly innovations such as energy-efficient LED bulbs and biophilia that minimizes indoor air pollutants for a healthier and greener work environment. Of the 100,000 square feet office space, 70% of the area adheres to green labelling protocols.

In efforts to maximize the lifespan of their existing furniture, our design team studied their inventory and furnishings to select pieces that can be creatively incorporated into the new layout. Creative refurbishment was also made to various furniture to improve durability, or to align with the design theme. Recycling bins are placed along the corridors or constructed within the pantry carpentry. Biophilic elements and sustainable materials were also used where possible.

THE ARRIVAL ZONE

SAP welcomes their guests at the third level of the office building. The reception desk is specially constructed to allow maximum visibility of the receptionist. Seated on a raised seat, it allows the receptionist to connect with visitors and employees at eye level, enhancing interaction and the welcoming experience. 

Behind the desk stands a white marble backdrop that proudly carries the SAP logo. Both ends of the marble slab are extended with fluted glass that allows natural light to pour in from behind. This cleverly designed backdrop also serves as a partition to create a collaboration hub that is hidden away from plain view.

This hub, nestled at one end of the front office, contains a feature wall generously cladded with greenery. Beside it, a mirror wall gives the illusion of an expanded space, and also reflects the daylight, making the space look brighter. Here, a myriad of seating options such as booth seats, meeting tables, sofas, lounge chairs and phone booths can be found to fit the nature of any discussion.

On the other side of the reception counter is the waiting lounge, furnished with comfortable armchairs, sofas and plants hanging overhead. This area is connected to the Barista Café, which impresses with a robot barista fitted behind the bar counter – a great way to start conversations with guests. This café serves as an open space for discussions, dining, private functions and townhalls. The loose furniture curated allows this space to be used flexibly in various configurations.

The trapezium outline of SAP’s logo is also reflected delicately on the ceiling, where the overhanging acoustic panels are used in contrasting directions to bring out a similar silhouette. To further create a sense of movement, these acoustic panels are painted in different colours on both sides – white and taupe, so the colours of the ceiling changes as one walks across the space and back.

PLANTING SHARED SPACES

At the back office, a range of huddle spots are scattered amongst the bench seats to encourage movement and cross-pollination between teams. High work benches, focus pods and 120 degree work stations are amongst the available options. To promote access to these amenities, pendant lights in varying shapes and colours hang over the spots to serve as wayfinding across the large floorplate.

EMBODYING THE THEME

In addition to the huddle spots injected amongst work benches, larger community spaces are carved out to motivate collaboration and interaction. Interspersed across the three floors, these settings collectively embodies the nature-themed design narratives set out for this office.

The Rainbow Plaza – the space surrounding an interconnecting staircase that unites the three-storey office, is named after the rainbow art installation which stretches throughout the stairwell. Serving as the vertical connection for the office, this statement piece was created to motivate employees to take on a journey of adventure, seeking growth and rise along the way, and to achieve rich findings at the end – inspired by the words of Singapore’s founding father, Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

Easily accessible, this space offers an alternative for casual discussions, quick meals, or simply a respite from work. Echoing the sentiment of a biophilic theme, a luscious green wall stretches across the space, outlining a central pantry at level three while table surfaces take on a suar wood appearance. Peranakan tiles are subtly applied as accent patterns on the floor for a playful mix of local flavour.

To elevate the experience of connectivity, the plaza also features a running track that surrounds the inner circle of the office on all levels to serve as the horizontal connection across community spaces and work zones. Coupled with signages mounted overhead, this running track serves as wayfinding, pointing out the various collaboration hubs as employees journey along.

Situated right next to the plaza at level three, The Park offers more collaboration space for small groups and individual work. This small but efficient space is demarcated through three thoughtful and aesthetically pleasing features – an acoustic panel with intricately cut out designs; overhead trellis; and the subtle use of a different carpet across the area.

To support their information technology (IT) needs internally, SAP’s new office includes a dedicated room for their IT department, along with service desks that allow the IT team to attend to technical matters from their co-workers. This new room was erected along with an onscreen ticketing system to help employees better gauge the waiting time, thereby using their time more efficiently.

Located next to the Employee Service Desk is The Garden, where employees could hang out while waiting for assistance from the IT team. Designed as a multipurpose space, the functionality of The Garden goes beyond a waiting area to create a dedicated recreational zone complete with a pool table, table tennis table, swings, beanbags and console games. The incorporation of tiered seating allows the space to be used for smaller group town halls, casual presentations or a movie night on the big TV screen.

The Super Tree, inspired by Singapore’s very own landmark, fuels thinking and creativity. Apart from the impressive architecture of this space, soundproofing elements are wrapped around the trellis structure on the ceiling to ensure minimal disruption to neighbouring work spaces. Hanging by the window, metal rods are welded together to form a prominent signage for this space. Columns are wrapped with biophilic prints to inject greenery into the space. On one side of the space, a manila rope feature wall hosts a writable surface for ideation and brainstorming.   

This unique and outstanding feature leads to another hub, The Canopy, where the same material is extended as part of the bulkhead. The design of this space is influenced by nostalgia for simpler times – introducing a calm, relaxing vibe through the use of retro-pattern wall stickers, overhead patterned grilles and terrazzo tiles. The look is completed with overhanging plants and a lavish splash of green across the wall, lending the perfect backdrop to the booth seats. Framing these booth seats are three exquisite arches, crafted with thin manila ropes stretched across both ends of the wooden frame to achieve the final look.

The Roof stands out with its bold-coloured blue ceiling accompanied by cloud-shaped pendant lamps. As the name suggests, it is located at the top floor of SAP’s office and is designed to simulate working under the open sky, close to nature. Topped with greenery, the pitched roof structures which houses the booth seats sets up a cozy space for a warm drink on rainy day.

With employee health and wellness in mind, this space is also lined with a mirror wall on one side, which slides open to reveal storage space for all loose furniture, enabling the floor to be converted easily into a studio for activities such as yoga and dance classes.

Marking the last of these nature-themed collaboration hubs is The Terrace, where contouring lines that mimic that of paddy rice fields are transposed onto the ceiling design. This large space is split into two areas – one designed for larger group brainstorming sessions, equipped with writing space and plenty of natural light; another with a cushioned bench paired with coffee tables for smaller discussions. Mirroring the ceiling, the design footprint is also marked through the outline of vinyl floor furnishings in the area.

FUTUREPROOFING THE OFFICE

Guided by a future-driven vision and deep understanding of SAP’s needs, we combined expertise in design and build to ensure a quality and sustainable result. “As more companies move towards a hybrid workforce, it is imperative for us to provide user-centric design solutions that offer flexibility and agility.” Says Jeanette Siew, Executive Director of DB&B.

DESIGNING AN EXPERIENTIAL FACILITY TO INSPIRE INNOVATION

Spanning a total of 244,000 square feet across six-storeys, Shopee’s new space reflects the brand’s commitment to invest and continually innovate in Singapore and the region. This regional facility is designed with people at the centre, providing solutions to meet the needs of a changing workforce. It also aimed to create opportunities and experiences for a new generation of talents. At work, these talents seek a sense of belonging and emotional connection to the mission and purpose of the organisation.

KEEPING PACE WITH A CHANGING WORKPLACE ECOLOGY

Designing a space meant for nurturing a future generation of young technological talents also required in-depth understanding of an evolving work culture. Meticulous space planning formed the foundation of diverse work settings that effectively supports the wide ranges of work patterns, from concentrated tasks to cross-team collaborations.

Workplace zones with distinct atmospheres are dedicated to support the different work styles and needs. Providing a variety of spaces for different modes of work yields a more engaging work experience and touchpoints to bolster connections.

DB&B applied a rigorous methodology to fully understand Shopee’s requirements and project needs before recommending space planning and allocation. Connectivity is achieved through a synergy (via a majestic internal staircase) of smaller units across the six floors, bringing together a curation of different zones that connect users and places in one identity.

ENCOURAGING A CULTURE OF COLLABORATION AND INNOVATION

The physical layout of the office makes the core foundation in reflecting the values of the Shopee culture and ultimately, foster innovation. Warm and cosy co-working spaces are equipped with stepped seating and flexible
furniture. This creates opportunities for spontaneous collisons and interactions which facilitates internal knowledge transfers.

ESTABLISHING BRAND VALUE IN THE OFFICE SPACE

Integrating a highly functional space with the company’s ethos and philosophy breathes life into the workplace and promotes employee engagement. It evokes a sense of belonging and home for the growing Shopee team. The bold use of the signature Shopee orange is carefully blended with neutral colours to create a harmonious colour palette. Angulating and progressive lines in key areas suggest innovation and dynamism.

Unique brand elements are also applied throughout the space to not just create a strong visual identity but also as a form of wayfinding as well.

STRONG WORKPLACE COMMUNITY THROUGH WELLNESS

Driving healthier solutions in the workplace where employees have access to healthier food and beverages options can promote physical well-being. Lush greenery is also visible, carefully peppered all around to bring nature into the workspace.

Shopee’s office is equipped with a full-fledged gymnasium, massage room, sleeping pods that aimed at providing maximum welfare and comfort for the Shopee team. Team-oriented wellness spaces like the games room can drive team camaraderie and social interactions.

The Shopee workplace is a representation of how work settings are evolving to cater to today’s workforce. Work behaviours constantly change when it’s heavily influenced by society’s demographics and psychographics. And there will always be industry leaders like Shopee who will always be blazing the trails.