As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory is celebrated for its craftsmanship and storied heritage. At the heart of the company is its purpose: to inspire the brilliance of life by delivering great consumer experiences through its world-class portfolio of brands. 

DB&B Singapore was tasked by Beam Suntory to design and build its new 18,000 square feet Singapore office to reflect the brand’s premium positioning, while offering a fluid and collaborative office for 150 employees. 

DESIGNING AN EXPERIENTIAL WALKWAY 

One of the project’s challenges involved the design of an experiential walkway at the entrance, intended to offer a glimpse into the world of Beam Suntory and its meticulous art of whiskey.  

Our goal was to craft an exciting, illuminating space where Beam Suntory’s extraordinary craftsmanship and story would shine. Drawing inspiration from elements of Japanese and American craft, the walkway features tactile wooden barrels and a dynamic video mural within an expansive display of the brand’s history, processes, and products. 

Each stage of the whiskey-making process is artistically expressed through graphics and narration, inviting staff and guests to gain a deeper appreciation of the company. 

GROUNDED BY HERITAGE, ELEVATED BY DESIGN 

One of the office’s highlights is the Beam Suntory Enso bar, setting the stage for inspiring conversations.  

Its unique aesthetic blends the company’s rich heritage with contemporary touches. The bar features a striking Japanese-inspired trellis pattern and a hanging pendant light adorned with washi paper.   

Natural materials of timber and stone, along with a vintage mirror ceiling, create an atmosphere of sophistication and depth. The wooden ceiling features studs, in a subtle nod to the motif of wooden barrels. A section of the bar was specially designed with a lower counter height for tasting events, and the seating options surrounding the bar . The enable the space to be used flexibly for events.  

DB&B’s design and factory teams also researched and handcrafted the armrests to add a touch of luxe to the seating. Sleek lighting elements were also thoughtfully placed to illuminate the intricate details of the collections of spirits. 

FLUID SPACES FOR WORK AND INTERACTION

Equipped with a variety of work settings, the work area is tailored around the concept of fluidity to ensure an organic flow. From private nooks to collaborative break-out areas, the energetic environment supports hybrid working and teamwork.

Departing from the conventional reception set-up, a concierge area was designed to double up as a reception counter to foster social interaction.  

Extending the interior concept, the carpets connecting the bar and office mimic flowing water, aligning seamlessly with the concept of fluidity. 

Meeting rooms have also been designed with both functionality and aesthetics in mind. Acoustic panels feature curved designs to represent fluidity along with patterns inspired by Japanese designs.  

The office offers imaginative casual spaces. Lockers showcase Beam Suntory brands and a breakout room features a lively graphic wall highlighting Beam Suntory’s corporate values, encouraging employees to delve deeper into its philosophy. 

Adding personality to the office is a mural artwork reflecting the meeting of East and West cultures at Beam Suntory and the company’s commitment to embracing diversity and creating connections.  

THE SUSTAINABLE VISION 

In line with our client’s vision, we integrated the reuse of existing elements – the greenery – from Beam Suntory’s old office into the new space as well as selected loose furniture.  

The lush display of foliage brings a touch of nature indoors, creating a calming and inviting ambience. The greenery fosters a sense of well-being and purifies the air, offering a refreshing environment for employees and guests. The concierge area is transformed into a beacon of sustainability, aligning with the company’s commitment to the environment. 

Since its completion in mid-2023, Beam Suntory’s new office has been well received by employees and guests, becoming a talking point for its vibrant design and reflection of the values and qualities of the Beam Suntory corporate brand. 

Suntory, one of the world’s leading consumer product companies, wanted to design and build its new headquarters in Guoco Midtown, Singapore. The brief was to conceptualise a 26,400 square feet workspace that not only celebrated the company’s brand and mission but would also help foster collaboration and room to grow its talents.

FLOWING LIKE WATER

Our team drew inspiration from Suntory’s philosophy – “Mizu to Ikiru” or living with water – to shape the office’s design. The concept of water, flowing freely, curving its unique paths, yet harmonising with everything it touches, translated into a distinct spatial identity that embodied the essence of the Suntory brand.

We envisioned a space that conveyed a sense of fluidity and equilibrium. Incorporating circular features, ripple patterns and flowing waves, along with the application of Suntory’s brand colours, helped unify the entire space. The deliberate absence of sharp corners also helped create an open and interconnected environment.

The experiential walkway leading to the reception offers a delightful journey into the world of Suntory and its range of beverages. Enhanced with a water trellis design that captures ripple effects, the product display along the walkway slowly reveals its surprises. Arranged at a 45-degree angle, the display casts an anamorphic effect on the Suntory signage visible from the lift lobby.

Rather than segmenting the office into isolated zones, our plan embraced intertwining zones catering to diverse needs. Inspired by Suntory’s product colours and Singapore’s public housing flats, the zones feature vibrant hues of blue, yellow, purple and green.

Taking inspiration from the surrounding neighbourhood, the zones also include playful references to the local context through customised signages and murals.

DESIGN FOR DISCOVERY AND HARMONY 

Extending the concept of fluidity, the office’s design guides its users to embrace discovery, connection and harmony.

Recognising that innovation and collaboration can occur serendipitously, our design activates spaces like the reception, workspace, pantry and game area with multiple ways for employees to collaborate.

We re-envisioned the reception area with a unique mini theatre platform featuring tiered seating, serving as a welcoming foyer for guests and a casual spot for employees to connect. Unique circular magnetic panels in the games area were introduced to offer a fun and hands-on platform for employees to brainstorm and express their creativity. These panels can be arranged to create different words, patterns, or even artwork, offering limitless possibilities. 

The open floor plan was also carefully designed to accommodate for potential opportunities to augment the workforce by over 10% and features a variety of work settings.

Collaborative areas feature flexible seating arrangements, while hot desking options offer room for configurability. The CEO’s work area and tech hub are seamlessly integrated into the open floor plan, offering a blend of privacy and functionality. The pantry features an open layout interspersed with breakout areas that encourage movement and interaction. 

EXPRESSING THE BRAND STORY

In addition to its focus on functionality and collaboration, the Suntory office serves as an expression of the company’s brand and Japanese heritage. 

The reception features a Suntory logo with debossed signage set in a textured wall, symbolising a strong and reliable image. The use of natural materials such as wood and incorporation of greenery into the reception create a soothing environment that aligns with Suntory’s dedication to sustainability.

Calligraphic expressions of “Yatte Minahare” or “Go for It!” – Suntory’s spirit of dreaming big – and a Japanese-inspired mural add a sense of liveliness to the pantry.

The meeting rooms have also been uniquely designed to showcase the various brands Suntory offers, offering a platform to display branding elements and product visuals in a memorable way.

Since its completion in 2023, the Suntory office has garnered positive feedback as an inviting workspace that creatively expresses the Suntory brand.

DB&B Singapore marked a major milestone earlier this year with a complete makeover of their office to reflect their emphasis on innovation and functionality. 

Having delivered successful projects over the past 27 years, they are strong believers of innovation and functionality in workplace design. Being able to reflect these values in their creations is something they continuously aim for, and they are excited to see this coming to fruition in the design of their new headquarters in Singapore. 

REBUILDING THEIR HOMEGROUND 

Spearheading their own design and build project, they engaged stakeholders from various teams to understand how they envision their workplace to be, and identify the current gaps in amenities and facilities. At the core of it all, it was important that the new office is a representation of DB&B’s design philosophies and their latest solutions for workplaces.

They adopted an approach to facilitate their move towards an agile workspace and encourage activity-based work and collaboration. With most employees working remotely over the past two years, it was also important that the final design invites and motivates employees to return to the office to collaborate in-person. Another goal as well, was to enable the office to function as a showroom for client demonstration and mock-ups. 

THE OASIS 

Entering the DB&B office, one is greeted by a customised reception counter branded with DB&B’s logo. Fully fabricated in-house, this masterpiece makes a statement as guests arrive. With frequent visits from clients and vendors, this counter also offers a discussion space at the side so quick chats can happen. To add greenery to the space, a full height light box with plants was installed as a backdrop to create the illusion of greater depth and greenery. 

ASSEMBLY OF MINDS 

Located on both sides of the reception counter, enclosed meeting spaces are available for various group sizes. The boardroom features acoustic boards to add contours to the wall, and a large quartz table. Smart conferencing technology paired with a built-in cable management system embedded within the table allows the room to maintain a tidy appearance. For formal or remote discussions in a smaller group, two private rooms are available. 

EMPOWERING EMPLOYEES TO CHOOSE 

To manage various work styles, the 6,000 square feet office is divided into five main types of workspaces – agile, semi-private, collaborative, fixed seating and focus spaces. This mix of spaces allows employees to explore and enjoy working in different parts of the office throughout the day. 

For their Business Development team, DB&B created a semi-private space, segregated from the rest of the office by sliding panels. Made from acoustic panels, this installation provides partial privacy for discussions within the team when necessary. A bespoke communal table that hosts the team sits in front of a vibrant acoustic wall, livening up the atmosphere within the space. 

The agile work area, also known as the hot-desking space, is located at the other side of the sliding panel. This space is set aside for teams who return to the office periodically between their visits to worksites and comprises of two elegantly sculpted suar wood tables and focus desks. Both tables are fitted with power tracks for effective cable management. 

To encourage employees to enjoy natural light and the views outside, bar tables are placed along the windows. For focus work and private calls, pods and phone booths are available. 

SHOWCASING SOLUTIONS 

With potential clients visiting their office often, DB&B marked out various areas in the office that can be used to showcase their design solutions and their craftmanship. In addition, by working closely with their partners in the industry, an array of technology and products are displayed to help clients envision the solutions DB&B can provide. 

THE CORE OF COLLABORATION 

As the name suggests, The Core is located in the middle of the office. With the frequent need for cross-department collaborations, this central area offers two collaborative spaces. For discussions that require screen sharing, a smart screen is installed beside a four seater table. At the other side, lounge seats and white boards are available for a casual brainstorming session. 

STIMULATING THE SENSES 

To drive creativity, a well-stocked material library is easily accessible along the main corridor of the office. This space serves as a sensory and exploration lab to enhance the design conceptualisation process. Full-height cabinets with pigeonholes and drawers allow various samples and project materials to be stored in an organised manner. 

WELLBEING AND HEALTH 

Over the past years, DB&B has gained immense experience in adopting and applying safety and well-being measures across their projects. For their own office, it was their priority to uphold the same standards to encourage a balanced and healthy work environment. With the majority of their creative division and multimedia team working with heavy hardware, desks were assigned to individual employees in these teams. 

To optimise space, their design team developed a creative way to position their workstations while avoiding direct facing of any two individuals which is aimed primarily to be pandemic resilient. Workstations were made up of height adjustable tables to promote ergo- nomics by allowing employees to change their positions throughout the day. 

STRATEGIC LAYOUT 

Understanding the nature of the work of their finance and human resource teams, coupled with the need for storage of confidential documents, both departments are nestled at discreet locations of the office. The finance team occupies the corner of the office, with their space demarcated by planter boxes that double up as storage space. A generous full-height cabinet installed against the neighbouring wall offers ample space for document storage. The human resource team has a private room segregated by a double-glazed door to help maintain privacy. 

The space-efficient pantry offers employees a social hub during mealtimes or to grab a quick bite during breaks. Cushioned benches along with the brick walls add texture and colour to the space. 

A SPACE THAT WORKS FOR THEM 

“We wanted to create a space that our employees would enjoy working in, feel inspired and motivated to work creatively. This is where we bounce ideas off each other, innovate and put together new solutions for our clients – and I am truly glad to see this project represent our beliefs and design philosophies in such an elegant manner,” says Jeanette Siew, Executive Director of DB&B. 

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

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. 

Inspired by the symmetrical design of their logo, DB&B expresses a similar concept through lines of symmetry and symbolism. This is accompanied by an aesthetic theme concocted from the combination of the elements of nature and the nuances of Japanese culture. 

Situated at level 42 of Capitaspring, Japan’s cutting-edge energy solutions company, JERA’s new space was designed to invoke a sense of calmness and belonging while reflecting the company’s brand values and culture. The result is a ‘Zen Garden’ themed office that facilitates the operational needs of the entity.  

BRINGING NATURE IN 

To leverage on the panoramic views surrounding the Capitaspring, the floorplate was planned to face Singapore’s iconic landmarks such as the Marina Bay Sands at the front office.  

Upon stepping into the office, visitors and employees are greeted by an impressive piece of architecture fitted overhead. This series of concentric circles is inspired by a water ripple, expanding outwards, to signify a greater reach in their business and sustainability efforts. The outline of the ceiling feature is also reflected in the choice of flooring for the space, delicately marking out the concierge area. To complete the look, a circular concierge cladded in solid surface is erected against a generous moss wall to resemble a steady rock perched against the greenery. 

The waiting area carved beside the concierge is paired with a water feature at the side. The sound of flowing water paired with the plants along the full height windows add to the overall zen vibes of the space.  

A HOSPITABLE HOST 

As employees and visitors journey past the arrival zone, they would come across a series of meeting rooms for guests. All rooms are fully equipped with video conferencing facilities to connect with various parties joining the discussions remotely. For a touch of biophilia, this space features a moss framed wall that hosts the display screen. The remaining walls of the rooms are lined with fluted acoustic panels to add elegance and texture to the space. 

Situated at the end of the corridor, the last of these meeting rooms takes on a different design altogether – a VIP meeting room. Influenced by Japanese elements, the floor of the room is laid with tatami mats while the feature wall is cladded with a patterned structure derived from Asanoha – Japanese for hemp leaves, a plant that has strong vitality and grows fast, reflecting the company’s vigour for growth. Here, plants are lined along the windows on one side of the room while a pendant light overhead holds two bird-like sculptures to complete the look of nature.  

AN APPRECIATION FOR DETAILS 

The series of meeting rooms also leads to a social hub accessible by employees and guests. Set to be for multi-purposes, this space is divided into two sections, separated by the use of double-glazed operable walls, which allow them to be used individually, or combined to form a bigger space. While the first section houses a bar counter, the second half features two projector screens along with more seating. These facilities allow the space to be used in many ways – for training, social events, product presentations and townhalls. The curation of loose furniture for the social hub also adds to the flexibility of this space. 

Here, the ceiling features a cove lighting whose design takes reference from JERA’s brand guide – a trapezium-shaped frame designed to house key branding elements. The crossing of lines within the box echoes the purpose of this social space, where conversations take place, paths cross and ideas collide.  

Reflecting the same outline of the feature box on the floor, wooden vinyl planks are laid in different directions to replicate the outline. They comprise of two different shades of brown, mimicking confetti used during celebrations to send out a joyful vibe within the space.  

Providing The Right Spaces 

At the back office, workspaces are configured in a mix of 120 degree workstations, work benches and booth seats. This dynamic layout is coupled with pops of JERA’s corporate colours, introduced through acoustic panels and coloured phone booths of various sizes, creating a vibrant and inviting workspace. 

To strike a balance between accessibility and noise control, discussion booths are located near workstations to encourage collaboration while acoustic panels are strategically placed between the settings to provide privacy. The acoustic panels are designed with an intricate cut-out hexagonal pattern – Kikkou, which signifies intellect and longevity to actively demonstrate the company’s well wishes for their employees.  

For further privacy, enclosed meeting rooms flank one side of the office floor. These rooms offer writable surfaces, video conferencing equipment and unblocked views of the marina, making them the choice setting for brainstorming sessions and small team huddles. 

Taking into consideration employee wellness, instead of opaque walls, double-glazed partitions are used to separate the rooms from the office floor, allowing natural light to pass through while maintaining acoustic privacy. Plants lining the full height windows on the other sides of the perimeter also serve to inject biophilia and extend the theme of a ‘Zen Garden’ into the back office.  

FIT FOR THE CEO 

With direct access to a private executive lounge to host VIP guests, the CEO’s room is designed to facilitate his business needs. This room features ample storage and display shelves, including a coat cabinet for alternative work wear when the occasion calls for it.  Acoustic panels are used to add texture to the walls and writable surfaces serve to support dynamic discussions. The large screen at the opposite end of the room provides him with the flexibility to take conference calls from his seat, or at the meeting table.  

JAPANESE INFLUENCES 

To celebrate the company’s Japanese roots, the office is peppered with various patterns from the culture. One space which best demonstrates is the employees’ lounge. The fan-shaped pattern ‘Seigaiha’, representing peace and good luck, is consistently used on the backsplash of the carpentry and the fabrics for the booth seats.  

On a larger scale, the curvature of this pattern is also applied onto the design of the space itself, shaping the carpentry into a rounded end. Serving as a pit-stop during working hours, this vibrant space allows employees to rest and rejuvenate.   

Drawing further reference from Japanese design trends, wooden slats are used to segregate the LNG business division from the bigger office space for their operational needs. They are installed at an angle for a unique appearance, and paired with clear glass panels to keep acoustics within the segregated space. This partition allows light to flow through, giving the illusion of a connected space, while respecting the privacy required.

DESIGNED WITH EMPATHY 

The design of the space encapsulates JERA’s brand values and culture right down to the details, thereby creating a sense of calmness and belonging. This speaks volumes about the role that workplace design will play in future business planning and the importance of empathy in design thinking. “JERA’s new office has been one of our most fulfilling projects to date. Being able to create spaces that inspire people fuels our passion to continuously design with a deep understanding and appreciation for their values and culture,” shares Jeanette Siew, Executive Director of DB&B. 

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

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.

DEFINING THE NEEDS BEFORE TAKING ACTION

BD is a global leader in medical technology company that is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics and the delivery of care.

They were looking to consolidate their existing offices from Tuas and Harbourfront Centre, to a regional headquarters at The Strategy. With a consolidation exercise of this size, it was imperative to fully understand the employee requirements such as meeting, training, storage and filing amongst others, and explore suitable work settings for their operations. Following an extensive workplace study, it was strongly suggested for BD to opt for an efficient desk sharing approach.

The overarching design concept revolves around the creation of a blended community space. Entitled “Hype Tribe”, this was poised to be a workplace for the BD tribe to come together, strike cohesions with one common language. Noting the unique courtyard space at the core of the building, the designers made sure they capitalised on this to allow natural light to gently permeate indoors.

USER-CENTRIC WORK EXPERIENCE

The layout was executed in a weave pattern to allow easier placement of the built rooms and offer a different facing direction for each workstation clusters. This also created slightly smaller open office clusters which works for BD to address sound and noise concerns that come with a totally open office.

To further enhance acoustics elements, phone booths and sound absorption material were place in close proximities to work clusters where employees easily pop in for phone calls without disturbing their team mates. To contain sound in enclosed meeting rooms, all rooms were built with full height double glazing partitions. These glazing systems will still offer transparency and allow natural light to enter.

A hybrid of bench and 120 degree workstations were applied, giving users a variety of settings and also creating a more interesting landscape. Lockers are provided for users and a unique addition to the lockers is the ‘carrier’. This accessory allows each user to lug their daily essentials to their respective desk and easily bring it back to the lockers at the end of the day.

THE DRAMATIC IMAGERY WITH DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES

DB&B’s design team aimed at creating impactful visual displays that fuel different experiences throughout the workspace. From the front of house, it is designed to mimic an Alfresco Café to create a more ambient and cosy environment.

One key design element will be the suspended acoustic panels which emulates a dynamic flow or current. The dramatic interplay of wood and greenery elements enforces biophilia inspirations.

Adjacent to the main reception area is the ‘The Gallery’ where BD can showcase videos of their latest innovative product offerings on a large screen.

Other themed areas such as ‘The Activity Centre’, ‘The Playground’, ‘The Garden’, ‘The Gazebo’, ‘The Terrace’ etc intersperse the workspace. The Playground, ‘The Garden’ and ‘The Gazebo’ are the themed main collaboration areas that create interest points within the workspaces.

COMING TOGETHER WITH ONE VISION

For a unique project such as this, DB&B Singapore’s design innovation board tag-team DB&B Shanghai to deliver a holistic design solution. With the regional design leadership team leading the initial programming stages to the workshops and townhall sessions, it was critical for Invista and their group of companies to fully grasp the change and
transformational requirements to a more open and ‘officeless’ work environment.

Through various observations and user studies, DB&B also concluded that the new work space needed to be comfortable and one that promotes employee well-being. This was one of the key driving force behind an overarching design concept that was inspired by nature and its people; an office habitat within the concrete jungle of Yangpu District which is best described as an oasis. This design narrative and planning have deeply influenced the overall look and feel of the workspace that Invista now proudly calls ‘Home’.

THE GREEN OASIS

The planning principles took all the considerable possibilities to adapt to the ever changing workplace culture and the organisation’s future growth. DB&B was committed to enable full flexibility and modularity to support Invista’s operational needs. One key feature of this space is the Social Hub that forms the heart of the space, where employees can meet, share, and dine as one family. Located just adjacent to the reception area, this multi-functional zone represents the very essence of connectivity. It provides a combination of social and private spaces to meet various meeting needs.

The diverse selection of seating, a stylish water front bar area, a blend of different furniture selection, formal private meeting rooms can play host to a variety of activities. Whether it’s a luncheon or even a party, people have plenty of opportunities to interact in a social, professional and innovative environment. This ecosystem allows work and lifestyles to collide and fuse in multiple dimensions, providing employees and visitors with a warm and relaxed setting.

A PLACE TO BE CREATIVE, TOGETHER

Designed with flexibility and collaboration in mind, the open workspace is equipped with 120-degree workstation, interspersed with design aesthetics and different forms of collaborative furniture which offers modularity and ergonomics to ensure well-being of employees. In accordance with the function and the proportion of people, the enclosed meeting rooms in different locations are allocated for employees in the different zones. Work areas are planned as self-serving ‘neighbourhoods’ to have sufficient amenities and facilities.

In an open plan office, it’s also critical not to undermine noise levels. By introducing suspended echo panels at collaboration and discussion areas, this will improve on sound absorption.

DB&B also infused a myriad of lush greenery into the space, from the central core at the Social Hub to the workspace as well as creatively applied them as vertical space dividers. A critical component of an oasis, indoor plants are proven to also benefit employees in encouraging both mental and physical well-being.

The interior design of the office is rapidly evolving, and they are no longer limited to the traditional monotony of the past. Companies are designing the workspace as a second ‘home’ to employees. Hence, they are putting great emphasis in ensuring the workspace is no longer solely for work but also a platform for them to create bonds and cultivate a sense of belonging.

Moving with times, insta-worthy nooks with a backdrop of Invista’s brand messages are created as to catch up on the social media trend. An added value to the design was the successfully application of Invista’s proprietary products as part of the interiors. Almost 70% of the flooring was laid with carpet tiles that are made of Invista’s ANTRON fiber.

Based on user research, the DB&B design team not only explored the working styles and successfully enabled a people-oriented smart work space for Invista and their group of companies but also, one that takes into account a place to socialise and bond as a big family.

Caption: A welcoming and brightly lit entrance at Invista features a generous reception counter along with biophilic elements.

Caption: Apart from cladding the space with lush greenery and warm hues, the concept of an oasis is further enhanced with maximum daylight entering the space. This sanctuary is lively, fashionable, vibrant and community-driven, enhanced by breath-taking, unobstructed window views.

Caption: Seating options are aplenty, ranging from round tables to cushion seats, high tables and formal meeting room spaces.

Caption: Acoustic panels suspended from the ceiling helps to curb noise levels at discussion areas and serves its dual purpose as a decorative feature