P+A: Anti-Office

The design direction for the workplace designed by Park + Associates is unique. It is largely driven by a reaction against the rigidity of the typical bureau.

What the architects sought to create is an environment that questions convention, celebrates informal spaces and reveals in the masquerade of commonplace office functions – an Anti-Office.

The premise is a part of a former school compound built in 1960s where corridor space, a staff office and a library used to be. Contained within is an expanse of column-free space crowned by a series of barrel vaults. Louvre windows extending from floor to arch hint at simpler times when air-conditioning was not as ubiquitous, allow opportunity for cross ventilation and natural light to flow through in dramatic abundance.

A short flight of steps leads one onto the social heart of the office. Here, instead of hiding the conventional pantry areas as a “back-of-house”, it is celebrated as a hip cafe. A black ceiling that crops out the iconic vaulted ceiling is accompained by matt black walls, funriture and accents. A series of gold textured ceiling covers floods the space in a golden hue, creating a warm darkness that embrace all. This perceived warmth is enhance through the tactility of the rough plastered wall; textured timbering flooring and the abstract patterns of Mutina Azulej cement tiles by Patricia Urquiola.

The covert warmth of this space enables it to comfortably host a variety of functions – reception, guest lounge, casual events and informal meetings. As the users of the office travel often, the decorative lights fixtures and numerous artefacts collected from their journeys decorate the space. Besides being conversational pieces, they imbue the space with a layer of personality.

Anti-Office, Singapore
Program: office
Architects: Park + Associates
Completion: 2014