2
020 will forever be recognised as the year where keywords such as ‘lockdowns’, ‘social distancing’ and ‘WFH’ dominated our daily conversations. This was a year that was impaired by the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic that brought the world to a standstill. For DB&B, we put on our bravest (face-masked) fronts and embraced the changes. Our design and builders’ minds continued to innovate and deliver, despite the limitations and restrictions.
Rounding up 2020, we are proud of the work we’ve delivered despite all the events happening around us. Our clients and business partners remained supportive and believed in our commitment in delivering their workspaces.
Our design ideas and solutions continue to evolve and transform to suit the needs of the users. In the following pages, we have specially curated a collection of bold and resilient workplaces that’ll drive our clients’ business goals.
There’s no other way but forward. The pandemic has compelled a breakthrough in how we will work in times as such and in the future. We are witnessing the trans-
formation of the workplace and it’ll poise to go through inevitable changes, modifications and the welcoming of new strategies and practices. Our team has been exploring possible strategies with our clients to facilitate and support them in embracing the new norm.
The workplace is a gathering of minds with a common goal. Remote working might still be around but there’s still a critical need to converge and conclude.
We are still hoping to relive those chance encounters that we have in an office setting. The human connection that forms at midway chats and chance encounters are where most collaboration will spark new ideas and breakthroughs. And, we’ll be here to make that happen.
We design and build award-winning commercial interiors. With six offices across Asia, we support businesses to build, expand or relocate work spaces seamlessly. DBB.COM
THE HUMAN CONNECTION THAT FORMS AT MIDWAY CHATS AND CHANCE ENCOUNTERS ARE WHERE MOST COLLABORATION WILL SPARK NEW IDEAS AND BREAKTHROUGHS.
FEATURES
DRAMATIC IMAGERY TO ACCOMPANY THE DIFFERENT EXPERIENTIAL JOURNEYS.
BD is a global medical technology company that is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics and the delivery of care. BD leads in patient and healthcare worker safety and the technologies that enable medical research and clinical laboratories.
BD was looking to move their existing offices from Tuas and Harbourfront Centre, thus consolidating their office and training centre at The Strategy. With this being BD’s regional headquarters, a consolidation exercise of this size spurred BD to embark on a workplace study to fully understand and explore suitable work settings for their operations. Following an extensive utilisation study, it was strongly suggested for BD to opt for an efficient desk sharing approach.
When DB&B was roped in to deliver the full design and build package for BD, the design team adopted this recommendation and proceeded with further development of the overall space planning and design development for BD. Serving as a regional headquarters for multiple business
units, DB&B’s design team conducted numerous exploratory workshops with key stakeholders to fully understand the employee requirements such as meeting, training, storage and filing amongst others.
Once data collection is completed, the space planning began. With BD occupying levels 7 and 8 at The Strategy, it was imperative to render full vision of the proposed stacking plan and zoning to BD to clearly show department adjacencies and ultimately, mapping The Experiential Journey.
The overarching design concept revolves around the creation of a blended community space. Entitled “Tribe Hype”, this was poised to be a workplace for the BD tribe to come together, and strike cohesions with one common language. The design team was fully focused on enabling a platform that fully supports work, collaboration and drive innovation.
Being on a large floorplate, it was essential to grasp strongly a unified theme to tie in the different spaces whilst creating a myriad of journey experiences. 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. To allow this, built rooms were placed away from the perimeter window as much as possible.
FROM THE FRONT OF HOUSE, IT IS DESIGNED TO EMULATE AN ALFRESCO CAFÉ TO CREATE A MORE AMBIENT AND COSIER ENVIRONMENT WITH THE AROMA OF FRESHLY-BREWED COFFEE LINGERING FROM THE CAFÉ LOCATED JUST BEHIND THE RECEPTION COUNTER.
TO FURTHER ENHANCE ACOUSTICS ELEMENTS, PHONE BOOTHS WERE PLACE IN CLOSE PROXIMITIES TO WORK CLUSTERS WHERE EMPLOYEES EASILY POP IN FOR PHONE CALLS WITHOUT DISTURBING THEIR TEAM MATES. FOR THE OPEN DISCUSSION AREAS, SOUND ABSORPTION MATERIALS WERE INCORPORATED TO ISOLATE AND PREVENT SOUND TRAVEL.
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 were place in close proximities to work clusters where employees could easily pop in for phone calls without disturbing their team mates. For the open discussion areas, sound absorption materials were incorporated to isolate and prevent sound travel. To contain sound in enclosed meeting rooms, all rooms were built with full height partitions to slab with 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.
IMPACTFUL VISUAL DISPLAYS IN THESE THEMED SPACES ENDORSE DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES THROUGHOUT A WORKSPACE AND AT TIMES, BOOSTING CREATIVITY.
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 emulate an Alfresco Café to create a more ambient and cosier environment with the aroma of freshly-brewed coffee lingering from the café located just behind the reception counter. One key design element, drawing instant attentions will be the suspended acoustic panels which emulates a dynamic flow or current. This dramatic effect was inspired by BD’s goal in advancing the world of health. The 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 office.
The big meeting rooms are built with double glazed operable wall in the front and solid operable wall with fabric panels in between rooms which allows the space to open up to a large townhall space. With technology, townhall meetings can be ‘live streamed’ to employees seated at both levels.
DB&B FLEXED ALL DESIGN MUSCLES TO LIFT DEMATIC’S BRAND VISIBILITY AND CREATIVELY PLANNED A PURPOSE-DRIVEN SPACE.
“ THE EXPANDED OFFICE IS OUR ASIA PACIFIC HEADQUARTERS AND FEATURES A TECH CENTRE SHOWCASING OUR LATEST TECHNOLOGIES. WE NOW HAVE COLLABORATION AND MEETING SPACES WITH INTEGRATED VIDEO-CONFERENCING FACILITIES TO BETTER CONNECT WITH OUR COLLEAGUES, CUSTOMERS AND PARTNERS AROUND THE GLOBE. ”
Steve Cheung, Managing Director of Dematic Asia
As part of DB&B’s design discovery process, the team conducted an initial site survey that revealed the unique features of the new TSL 101. This new build features unique features such as tiered top hung windows and its 6-metre high ceiling that offers ample opportunities for Dematic to house their innovative automated storage systems.
Inspired by how Dematic’s revolutionary Goodsto-Person (GTP) shuttle technology, DB&B envision the new space to fully reflect the business’ brand values and optimised space planning to support the firm’s forwardthinking capabilities.
The design aspiration of the “INNOVATION BOX” formed the conceptual metaphor. This metaphor which conveys the nature of what Dematic does best, was further translated and applied into three key zones i.e. the Social, the Workspace and the Innovation.
At the entrance to the Dematic space, one can instantly be attracted to the bold scheme referencing the firm’s corporate colours. Further enlivened with a large TV wall and a world map lightbox panel, a further peek inside reveals the suspended mesh feature to celebrate the Dematic brand.
Choosing to do without the predictable reception counter, a self-automated Visitor Registration Management System allows visitors to self-check-in.
The streamlined entrance leads straight into The Social that features the central breakout space with meeting zones. This effective space planning strategy offers enormous flexibility for Dematic to host a variety of events or meetings.
Capitalising on the high ceiling, the boardroom is elevated to enhance the segregation of space and yet having the flexibility to open to The Social which doubles up as a townhall space.
A significant feature display wall in The Social demonstrates that new technology is not the only form of innovation. Dematic supports customers to innovate by combining ideas, developing and implementing new, smarter processes. This innovative service is arrayed into the many angled modules stacked in an unconventional manner. Each of these modules carries the Dematic logo, corporate graphics in lightboxes, glass displays and a combination of the firm’s corporate yellow and white colours.
At the heart of The Social is the striking mesh-boxed logo feature which is suspended above the bar table. This
focal feature fully maximises the best use of the high industrial ceiling. Not to mention, it also proved to be rather ‘insta-worthy’!
Flexible movable seating which can be repurposed to suit different brainstorming or collaboration and training sessions are available at The Social.
The vitality of Dematic radiates from The Social to The Office through the holistic use of Dematic’s yellow colour as a bold accent throughout all elements of the space.
The design of The Office centres on function – with workspaces flanked by discussion pods and collaboration booths, strategically planned as potential future expansion within the vast, open plan. Furniture selection was one of the key considerations to offer maximum flexibility. System furniture was also carefully curated – the long pedestal offers both storage and seating for impromptu discussions.
Enclosed rooms are lined along the window perimeters to allow a coherent, open office environment. Having mesh partition panels above the rooms instead of solid walls allow maximum daylight into the general work area. Each mesh partition panels are branded with a graphical landmark cut out of Dematic’s locations across Asia Pacific.
DB&B also answered to the client’s need for acoustics considerations. Throughout this space, the design team exercised discretion in space planning and material selections to minimise and absorb noise. For private conversations, meeting spaces and phone booths were catered for.
“ WE ARE HONOURED TO HAVE SUPPORTED DEMATIC IN THE DESIGN AND BUILD OF THEIR NEW ASIA PACIFIC HEADQUARTERS. MOVING FORWARD, WE ARE EXCITED TO WITNESS HOW DEMATIC CAN LEVERAGE ON THIS PURPOSE-DRIVEN SPACE TO GROW FURTHER IN THE REGION. ”
Jeanette Siew, Executive Director of DB&B Singapore
SHOPEE’S NEW SPACE REFLECTS THE BRAND’S COMMITMENT TO INVEST AND CONTINUALLY INNOVATE IN SINGAPORE AND THE REGION.
DB&B first worked with renowned e-commerce platform, Shopee back in 2017 to create a unique identity for their first office at the Ascent Building, Singapore. The 35,000 square feet office, then, accommodated approximately 400 employees and was the launch pad of the Shopee brand.
Since then, the Shopee brand has seen tremendous growth, requiring a new headquarters to support its rapid expansion.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
THIS IS ONE PRAGMATIC COMMUNITY SPACE THAT’S THOUGHTFULLY-DESIGNED TO MEET ALL THEIR GROWING NEEDS.
The Intellectual Property of Singapore (IPOS) had commissioned DB&B to support their essential move into their new premises at Paya Lebar Quarter, Singapore.
The government agency under the Ministry of Law, houses Singapore’s largest community of IP experts. With deep technical, legal and business expertise, IPOS aims to support the growth of an innovation ecosystem for Singapore’s future economy. They assist companies to make important decisions based on sound analytics, grow their business through IP and innovation strategies and encourage development of skills in IP and innovation.
In accordance with the agency’s goals for relocation and future growth, they were aiming to move towards a more collaborative working environment in the 42,000 square feet space.
DB&B envisaged a contemporary work space design to boost collaborative and creative energy across its two levels, connected by a stunning, central staircase. This new space will drive adoption of a new culture in their journey to offer a holistic environment for both employees and
visitors alike and offer spaces that are multi-functional, enabling IPOS to achieve more in space efficiency.
With a general palette of neutrals, and the occasional peppering of colours, the design team creatively introduced biophilic influences to the space to conjure a welcoming and collaborative environment.
From the reception, one is greeted with a contemporary outlook with accents in a green moss wall. Soft lighting embedded in wooden trellis ceiling above the reception encapsulates a sense of calm and wellness.
In line with the objective of space efficiency, the front of house welcomes visitors to its space with a variety of settings to facilitate consultation and dialogues. Café-styled seating and consultation pods encourage comfortable conversations.
Adjacent to the consultation pods is the reading room complete with a library. Visitors are availed plenty of resources and a space to explore topics relevant to them. Tucked in a quiet corner, this reading room is filled with a creative selection of furniture and conducive lighting, thus maintaining harmony for the great minds to enjoy.
IPOS receives visitors regularly, organises workshops, as well as training programmes and seasonal events, so it was important to have adequate facilities to cater for the needs of visitors and staff with a pragmatic approach. DB&B designed an adaptable space that is easily configured to host these events.
Part of the front-of-house also includes two training rooms that were fitted with double-glazed operable walls
DB&B DESIGNED CENTRAL CAFES THAT AIM TO BRING IPOS EMPLOYEES OR VISITORS TOGETHER. THESE CAFES ARE STYLED TO OFFER CASUAL AND RELAXED ENVIRONMENTS FOR CONVERSATIONS TO FLOW EFFORTLESSLY. CALLING ON NATURE ONCE AGAIN, WOOD-INSPIRED MATERIALS ON BOTH VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL FINISHES, VIBRANT FURNITURE AND GREENERY, ALL CREATE A LAID-BACK AMBIENCE.
that can accommodate as many as a hundred people. These training rooms, combined with the café area can open up to a large event venue.
Strategically-positioned along the building perimeter, natural light fills the entire depth of the training rooms to enable a conducive environment for training and development.
On both floors, DB&B designed central cafes that aim to bring IPOS employees or visitors together. These cafes are styled to offer casual and relaxed environments for conversations to flow effortlessly. Calling on nature once again, wood-inspired materials on both vertical and horizontal finishes, vibrant furniture and greenery, all create a laid-back ambience. Seating spaces were designed to accommodate groups and individuals alike.
Connectivity is key in any community space. To bring the two levels together, a central staircase was designed with glass panels to depict a connected illusion between the floors. Positioned in the central area of the space, this further underlines the agency’s focus in supporting businesses to grow and innovate.
The designers were also mindful that IPOS was aiming to attain the BCA Green Mark Award (Platinum). Indoor greenery was planned into the space to promote indoor air quality and comfort for its occupants.
HOWDEN’S NEW OFFICE DESIGN DEFINES HOSPITALITY AND WHY THEIR FOCUS ON PEOPLE WAS THE KEY INSPIRATION.
When leading independent international insurance broking group, Howden Broking Group (“Howden”) was seeking to unite three businesses on a single floorplate, they took the opportunity to change the way they work to support future business growth.
Having selected the space at 79 Robinson Road, Howden appointed DB&B to design and build the 24,000 square feet space. Poised to house Howden, Howden Specialty and IPG Howden, this move will offer greater convenience for these business units to work seamlessly in a more flexible, employee-focused working environment.
Goh Chye Huat, CEO of Howden Asia, agrees, “By putting our people at the heart of the design process, DB&B has helped us to achieve a very high-quality workspace perfectly suited to our objectives of creating a more agile, collaborative and sustainable working environment.”
This project required DB&B to deep dive into how the Howden businesses work together to offer their services. To fully understand the needs of the users from the various businesses, the design team conducted a series of workshops to fully understand user requirements. By bringing the three businesses together under one roof, and by embedding a more agile, collaborative approach to working, Howden’s businesses were able to upgrade to Grade A real estate whilst remaining in the prime CBD location.
“We’re really excited to move into 79 Robinson Road. It’s a fantastic building and DB&B has done a great job of catering to the varying needs of three different businesses whilst creating a space that brings us all together as one family.” exclaims Paul O’Neill, CEO of Howden Specialty APAC.
To offer seamless sharing of spaces, DB&B had to ensure the space adjacencies were carefully considered and planned to support Howden’s day-to-day operations. As a result, the new Howden office now boasts a suite of shared areas that includes a grand reception, high tech meeting suites, quiet rooms, café and training facilities.
The grand reception greets everyone with an envelope of subtle sophistication, one that was greatly inspired by the notion of hospitality. Clad in wood-patterned materials on the walls and ceiling, visitors are treated to a majestic visual display. Laid in an angled manner, this allows visitors unblocked vision of the magnificent panoramic views that surround this building. The reception desk spots an elegant quartz counter top with a backdrop that cradles all three of the business’ logos. Angled lines, inspired by the Howden logo, are applied as an added design element to tie-in the overall look and feel.
THE MAIN BOARDROOM HIGHLIGHTS THE HOWDEN CORPORATE BLUE WITH AN IMPACTFUL PATTERNED ACOUSTIC CEILING AS A KEY DESIGN FEATURE. THE SMALLER MEETING ROOMS TAKE ON A DIFFERENT APPROACH. CUSHIONED WALL PANELLING, NATURE-INSPIRED WALL PAPER, THE SOPHISTICATED CURATION OF LOUNGE FURNITURE AND AMBIENT LIGHTING ALL BUT SUM UP THE FINE TOUCHES OF HOSPITALITY.
“ BY PUTTING OUR PEOPLE AT THE HEART OF THE DESIGN PROCESS, DB&B HAS HELPED US TO ACHIEVE A VERY HIGH-QUALITY WORKSPACE PERFECTLY SUITED TO OUR OBJECTIVES OF CREATING A MORE AGILE, COLLABORATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE WORKING ENVIRONMENT. ”
Goh Chye Huat, CEO of Howden Asia
The ceiling and floor pattern, acting as a wayfinding tool, leads one seamlessly into a suite of meeting facilities. The different meeting rooms are dressed in subtle themes that are simply visually-pleasing. The main boardroom highlights the Howden corporate blue with an impactful patterned acoustic ceiling as a key design feature. The smaller meeting rooms take on a different approach. Cushioned wall panelling, nature-inspired wall paper, the sophisticated curation of lounge furniture and ambient lighting all but sum up the fine touches of hospitality.
By applying elements of various textures and materiality, DB&B aimed to evoke personality and impose a lasting impression.
As one moves into the main café, this expansive space offers a venue for Howden to host their employees and business partners in a variety of seating options with full-length window views of the cityscape.
BOTTOM: Various textures and materiality evoke personality and impose a lasting impression.
“ WE’RE EXTREMELY HONOURED FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ON THIS SPACE TOGETHER WITH HOWDEN. THERE IS GREAT SYNERGY BETWEEN DB&B AND HOWDEN AND THIS MOTIVATES US TO CONTINUOUSLY NURTURE MORE FRUITFUL COLLABORATIONS IN THE LONG RUN. ”
Jeanette Siew, Executive Director of DB&B SingaporeAt the workspaces, DB&B opted to promote visibility and maximise the use of natural lighting. By opting for clear glazing over solid walls, visibility is maintained across the various spaces. The different neighbourhoods are equipped with amenities to support the operations of the respective businesses. Work benches are opted with collaboration areas peppered carefully or used as subtle space dividers. Quiet pods are also fitted for those who prefer more focused work. Smaller pantries are made available for the businesses should employees opt for a quick refill or to store their personal belongings in the lockers.
“ WE’RE REALLY EXCITED TO MOVE INTO 79 ROBINSON ROAD. IT’S A FANTASTIC BUILDING AND DB&B HAS DONE A GREAT JOB OF CATERING TO THE VARYING NEEDS OF THREE DIFFERENT BUSINESSES WHILST CREATING A SPACE THAT BRINGS US ALL TOGETHER AS ONE FAMILY. ”
Paul O’Neill, CEO of Howden Specialty APAC
