Cover The reception area in the lobby of New Future, with a saltwater fish tank to the left
The reception area in the lobby of New Future, with a saltwater fish tank to the left
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Architology Interiors creates a dynamic and inspiring workspace for the Singapore office of tech company New Future, taking inspiration from a national monument in Shanghai
Located in the Huangpu district in Shanghai, the graceful Yuyuan Garden is one of the city’s most notable fixtures. Constructed during the Ming Dynasty in the 15th century, the sprawling two-hectare garden is known for its exquisite layout and tranquil scenery, which have enthralled many across the centuries. These are the elements Architology Interiors sought to adapt for an elegant office in Singapore’s Millenia Tower, designed for software development company New Future.
Based in Singapore and China, the tech firm has over 100 team members in the Lion City. The garden inspiration was arrived at in response to the unique brief, which included specific requirements from both the local team and the CEO from China.
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The Singapore CEO’s office looks out to fantastic views of the city skyline
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The Singapore CEO wanted a collaborative workspace organised based on job functions, such that he is in close contact with the key members of management, while the general staff area would have a bullpen arrangement within its open-plan layout.
The China-based CEO preferred a more formal design for his workspace, so his requirements involved a formal reception area as well as a spatial sequence that would alert other employees to his arrival, and finally, a private entertainment zone in which he could host the firm’s most important clients.
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Pivoting doors allow open-plan work zones to be enclosed for meetings and focus sessions when needed
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The poetic references to the classical Chinese garden create a “spatially rich experience” and are conveyed via the overall layout of the workspace. “We studied spatial transitions and the way Yuyuan Garden creates a very rich sequence of movement, offering differing perspectives at every turn,” says Terrence Quah, co-founder of Architology Interiors. “The traditional Chinese garden manages many differing nodes of importance with so many halls, each managing to create its own version of a commanding spatial relationship within a confined space.”
The way in which visitors and staff members would move through the workspace formed a key part of the interior design. As with Yuyuan Garden, there are a number of different paths visitors can take, some of which lead to private telephone booths and meeting rooms, and others to the private offices of key managers. Granite tiles demarcate the route that visitors should take, leading to the various areas of the office. These tiles were custom-made by EarthArts in China and shipped to Singapore.
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Custom-made by EarthArts, these granite tiles draw inspiration from the graceful Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai, demarcating the different paths throughout the office
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Metal screens bring an added sheen to the entrance, coupled with the grandeur of the contrasting white marble floor tiles and the black marble reception counter. Additionally, the granite tiles even extend upwards and connect to the ceiling, creating a playful detail that wows visitors while they wait to be received for their appointment. This sloping element is repeated at the other end of the entrance, adding to the pleasing symmetry of the space.
A lake is often a key focal point in any classical garden, and in this office, a custom-made saltwater fish tank offers a nod to this water feature. It is installed to the left of the main entrance and creates an elegant first impression, as visitors take the winding path that leads further into the other areas of the workspace. Another subtle nod to Chinese influences is conveyed through the use of hexagonal forms, such as the bespoke six-sided desks made for some of the meeting rooms. These echo the shape of the pavilion platforms as well as traditional buildings such as pagodas, which form a key part of classical gardens.
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Subtle brass details echo the design elements of a traditional Chinese garden
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While the Asian elements in this office are clearly evident, the deliberate use of modern European furnishings helps to create an interior that feels both fresh and elegant. Adds Quah: “While the layout of the office was based on a traditional Chinese garden, we wanted the actual visual space of the office to feel contemporary, modern and luxurious.”
To create this layered and sumptuous look, the team worked closely with local retailers such as Danish Design Co, Hafary, Made & Make, Space Furniture, W. Atelier and XZQT to feature a curated selection of furniture in the office. The office chairs were purchased from Herman Miller and Steelcase to provide optimum comfort for the staff members and visitors. Sol Luminaire and Verde Lights also recommended lighting pieces to provide task lighting and wall washers to make the spaces feel light and bright.
Altogether, this impressive workspace offers plenty to excite the senses, while impressing both visitors and staff members alike. The design firm successfully exceeded the expectations of the client, while creating a visually pleasing space.
Architology Interiors
Above Co-founders of Architology Interiors, Terrence Quah (pictured left) and Bu Shukun (pictured right)
Co-founders of Architology Interiors, Terrence Quah (pictured left) and Bu Shukun (pictured right)
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Helmed by founders Bu Shukun and Terrence Quah, the design studio is adept at crafting bespoke interiors, each with a unique story to tell and influenced by the rigour of architectural design thinking. Its team of interior design and architecture-trained professionals are the creative minds behind a bevy of beautiful homes, offices and show units of various scales and styles in Singapore
Architology Interiors
#11-02, Odeon Towers,
331 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188720
Tel: 6284 1011 architology.com.sg
Credits
Photography: Architology Interiors
