Project Overview
Interior Design Project Info
AI Associates created the future-ready 22,725 sqft workplace for Zeiss Singapore. The new office is designed as a dynamic, and highly collaborative environment with the main emphasis on movement, transparency, and flexibility.
The main goal of the project was to create a post-Covid-19 workplace environment that truly represents the innovation-driven culture of Zeiss. During collaborative workshops with the client stakeholders, AI team established the strategy of a new workspace based on a human-centric, inspiring, wellness-oriented, and flexible approach.
With the introduction of the Activity Based Working strategy, the new environment is designed to truly empower employees and provide a choice of how, where, and when they want to work. Within the office space, AI created diversified work settings, allowing staff to choose the right space, and set of tools according to the nature of tasks they are performing. Employees can choose between open workstations, cosy café-style hot desking located along the windows, semi-open focus pods and booths, high tables, work café, comfortable sofas, and many more.
Conventional office planning with vast open space filled with rows of workstations, and enclosed dedicated offices is no longer attractive or relevant. Instead, the open space is broken into smaller neighbourhoods, with custom-designed collaboration pods connecting adjacent zones. This solution not only helps to create a sense of identity and belonging but also supports teamwork and becomes an element of wayfinding. Wooden collaboration pods equipped with acoustic fins organising the workspace and function as the architectural features, framing collaboration areas.
What Covid-19 has thought us, is that change is a constant. Flexibility and modularity were incorporated early on into space planning as key functional principles, allowing the client for future changes with minimal disruption. AI team delivered the project during the pandemic, ensuring all design solutions are future-ready and fully adaptable. For example, previously enclosed offices were replaced with modular Flex Rooms, which can be used both as offices and meeting rooms, depending on the current needs and occupancy ratio. The work cafe is designed not just as a typical office pantry, but rather as an informal discussion and work area, equipped with power points and acoustic ceiling panels. The operable wall system connecting the work café and training rooms allows for instant transformation into a town hall or event setting.
The design narrative is based on the idea of blending technology, nature, and most importantly – a human-centric approach. The overall look and feel throughout the office space is modern, timeless, bright, and spacious. A neutral and environmentally friendly material palette is representing the core values of the Zeiss brand but also has a calming and relaxing effect on the employees. Shades of whites and greys are used as the base colours, while wooded accents and greenery are adding warmth to the space. Plants are seamlessly incorporated into the design and used generously throughout the office space, representing the balance between nature and technology.