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Bring creatives together and you can expect

the imaginations to flow freely. That’s precisely the

cause and effect of this office interior designed

for a Singapore firm of integrated marketing and

technology specialists, or idea engineers to use the

popular terminology.

The interior, designed by Space Matrix, belongs

to SapientNitro, an multinational company that

required a workplace that would inspire creativity

and encourage communication and collaboration.

The fit-out also needed to enhance the company’s

corporate branding and identity.

SapientNitro creative director Jeffrey Blais says

the company knew immediately that the office

space was the most suitable base for the busi-

ness. A living wall of greenery, large balcony and

additional small balcony on the opposite side of the

building provided an attractive outlook. Workers

could look right through the office and see the

greenery on one side, and a row of traditional

Below:Intersecting suspended ceiling elements wrap the walls of the reception area in the SapientNitro office fit-out. The contemporary, linear form of the orange canopy is contrasted by the warm, curving organic shape of the wood veneer.

Right:A large, furnished balcony and vertical garden create an inviting breakout area for staff.

IMagIne thIsThinking outside the square is an everyday occurrence for both the client and the design team behind this dynamic office fit-out

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Legend to plan:1 lift lobby, 2 reception, 3 design centre, 4 additional meeting rooms, 5 workstations, 6 staff kitchen, 7 balcony with outdoor kitchen

Top right:The original suspended ceilings were removed and services exposed and painted white. A bright orange carpet defines the design centre, or collaboration hub, in the centre of the office.

Lower right:Workstations are positioned on an angle so staff can benefit from plenty of natural light and views to the outdoors.

xx MOre Offices at trendsideas.com

Singapore shophouses on the other. Space Matrix

designer Michael O’Brien says the floor offered a

blank canvas – a long, narrow rectangle with white

walls and suspended ceilings.

“SapientNitro wanted something a little different,

and was quite ambitious in terms of the number of

people and facilities to be accommodated within

the space,” he says. “The company’s innovative

approach to business and the way the team works

needed to be reflected in the design, so the first

challenge was to get rid of the monotony of the

rectangle, while still keeping a sense of order.”

The lively, contemporary design response is

evident from the black-walled reception area,

which features two intersecting inverted L-shaped

suspended ceiling elements. One is a bright orange

canopy that embraces the reception desk and the

other is a more organic wood veneer element that

wraps down the wall to form a bench seat. A large

graphic of a pair of glasses on a glass wall plays

with the idea of transparency, vision and creativity.

It’s a theme that continues on the interior.

“We required areas for production work and

collaboration – the team is always brainstorming

ideas,” says Blais. “And we didn’t want straight

rows of desks like a classroom. We want to inspire

creativity – we encourage people to get up, walk

around, sit out on the balcony, interact with each

other and write on the walls.”

O’Brien’s response was to skew the main axis,

realigning the space so that everyone could see

through to the outdoors and also to the back wall,

which incorporates a wide glass panel that provides

an extended whiteboard available to all staff.

“The design breaks away from the regimentation

of the rectangle,” says the designer. “As well

as positioning the workstations on an angle, we

introduced a collaboration hub to the middle of

the space, which is also at an angle. This area is

defined by a bright orange carpet – it’s a lively

colour that gives out energy.”

The design centre, as it is known, provides

a variety of meeting spaces, large and small.

Operable glass walls between the rooms provide

flexibility – the entire space can be opened up to

provide a town-hall style volume, or closed down

for more intimate meetings and brainstorming

sessions. Rooms are also equipped with the latest

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audiovisual technology, with one space designated

as a videoconferencing room.

“The glass walls can double as whiteboards,”

says O’Brien. “There are blinds on both sides, and

either one can be pulled down to allow a better

view of the whiteboard.”

Circulation areas behind the meeting rooms also

have a function beyond the obvious. Clusters of

stools and brightly coloured bean bags provide

breakout areas, and there is a business centre

where people can pop out of a meeting to retrieve

or copy papers as required.

The original suspended ceilings were removed,

and new acoustic ceilings provided for the design

centre. But in the rest of the office the services

were left exposed and painted white – with the

exception of the sprinkler pipes, which are red.

“Removing the existing ceilings has provided

more height, and painting the services white has

helped to make the office seem a lot more

spacious,” says O’Brien. “The red accents add a

splash of colour for a little visual relief.”

Fluorescent lighting also helps to define the

various functions of the space. Above the work

areas, the lights are in orderly lines, while the

lights above the breakout zones in the circulation

areas reflect a chaotic disarray – and a design that

doesn’t take itself too seriously.

“We also wanted the interior to provide a sense

of place,” says O’Brien. “Decorative panels along

the top and bottom of the glass whiteboard on

the back wall reference the traditional Singapore

shophouses.”

In keeping with SapientNitro’s focus on staff

wellbeing, the fit-out includes a tranquil Zen garden

area on the smaller rear balcony.

“The larger front balcony with the vertical garden

is a very active, social area. The company often

entertains clients out there and staff gather after

work – there is a kitchen and bar area. In contrast,

the opposite balcony is designed to be all about

serenity and quiet reflection.

“Staff and guests can also gather in the kitchen,

where a second suspended canopy in wood veneer

wraps down the wall, providing a warm, inviting

place to linger. This is also a visual connection back

to reception, so there is a sense of continuity flow-

ing through the office.”

Above Operable glass walls can be closed or opened to change the configuration of the meeting rooms in the design centre. The latest audiovisual technology is integrated throughout the fit-out.

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Location:SapientNitro office, SingaporeInterior designer:Space Matrix Design ConsultantsMechanical and electrical engineer, quantity surveyor and fire consultant:Space Matrix Partitioning system:Dorma double-glazed acoustic panelsWindow and door joinery and hardware, tiling, flooring, wallcoverings, veneers and paints:Delco Art InteriorLighting and HVAC systems:A-Power EngineeringWorkstations and office chairs:Steelcase

Reception furniture:Comfort Design

Story by Colleen HawkesPhotography by Rory Daniel, Framing Pixels

See additional images and video online at

trendsideas.com/nz2811p000

xx MOre Offices at trendsideas.com

Top A bamboo wall hides plant equipment beside a tranquil Zen garden on the small balcony.

Above left The entire rear wall of the office features a glass wall that doubles as a whiteboard.

Above A curving wood canopy and pendant lights bring a sense of intimacy to the kitchen.