Space Matrix: Redesigning our office space to reflect our ethos

After operating out of our current space for the last five years, Space Matrix recently undertook an overhaul of our Singapore office space to create a more hospitality working environment. As a workplace & office design company, it was important for us to create a space that reflects our identity and brand. Here’s how we went about doing it:

Why the need for an office design revamp

With many clients regularly visiting our office, it was important for us to showcase how our design can improve the way we work. Office interior design is quickly evolving from the traditional stuffy workplaces of the past. In accordance with shifting working styles, today’s workspaces are becoming increasingly comfortable and flexible environments that inspire creativity.

Companies are beginning to recognise the need to provide a space that blends formality with fun, in order to inspire employees and allow them to rest and relax when they need to. This in turn increases productivity, as employees are motivated to be creative and innovative.

In line with this, we wanted to incorporate a new style of working that would allow for greater comfort and flexibility in the office. With this notion in mind, we kickstarted the overhaul of our workspace.

Walking the talk: how we used the transition phase to influence our work culture

The process of renovation took six weeks. During this time, employees moved to co-working space thebridge by Ascendas, which incidentally, was also designed by Space Matrix. As a coworking space, it provides agile workspaces such as informal amphitheatres, interspersed with recreational zones. This mix of work and play increases productivity as users can take sufficient breaks without having to leave the workplace.

thebridge served as a good transition space, as it allowed employees to get used to a new style of working which would be implemented in the new Space Matrix office design. Much like in a co-working environment, the new office would not have assigned seats. Instead, there would be different work settings introduced such as informal lounge seating, height adjustable desks and private phone booths. This would allow employees to choose the best setting for their working style.

Home sweet home

As Space Matrix shares a space with our sister company BLINK Design Group, a hospitality design firm, the office had to be representative of both brands. The overall look of the place sees timber flooring and darker colour schemes, paired with pendant lighting and the use of rugs. The end result is a warm, inviting space. The reception area, much like a hotel reception, is especially reflective of this.

The office now consists of meeting rooms of various sizes. Fixed meeting rooms tend to be underutilised and can therefore be a waste of space. By catering to different group sizes, office space can be maximised. The office also consists of a library and a garden, where employees can have a quiet space to think. Planter boxes have been added to bring in biophilic elements. Introducing these green elements may seem like a small touch, but they go a long way in promoting well-being and creativity.

The work area consists of an open office with free seating. An important element of the new office is the incorporation of “project tables”. These tables are meant to encourage teams to reconfigure themselves on a project-to-project basis. They have a writable surface and mobile screens in order to make it easier for designers to collaborate. The tables allow designers, project managers, procurement and quantity surveyors to sit together, hence opening the lines of communication. This in turn boosts productivity.

An adjacent building has been converted into an Annex that now functions as a relaxation zone. The Annex houses lounge furniture, a ping pong table and a bar where employees can unwind. Space Matrix understood the need to ensure employee wellbeing by providing a space where work and relaxation coexists. This in turn creates an environment where employees truly enjoy coming to work and are motivated to be productive.