In a marked shift to the dynamics of the global workforce, the Singapore office of global talent and organizational consulting firm Korn Ferry signifies a forward-thinking approach to meeting post-pandemic challenges.

At the heart of this project was an intent to break down traditional hierarchies and facilitate open conversation and collaboration. The participatory design approach embraced employees' inputs, creating a workplace that catered to their diverse needs and promoted engagement.

The new office seamlessly embodies adaptability, mirroring the fluid nature of the modern workspace. With an open layout built around a continuous loop, it fosters both planned and spontaneous interactions, transforming the office into a dynamic hub of productivity. The design caters to a myriad of work styles with flexible furniture and varied seating options. Further, it serves multiple roles with a reconfigurable front-of-house space, effectively utilising the area for social gatherings and client events.

The invisible threads of company culture and social capital are strengthened through the design, an ecosystem fostering interaction and connectivity. Open collaboration zones and agile work points decentralize power structures, thereby promoting communication. The layout maximises the best views and natural lighting for every staff, creating an open floor plan with strategically placed interactive zones. Generous mixed-use spaces promote a sense of belonging and community, with a variety of different types of settings in the café-pantry and front-of-house lounge acting as shared spaces for meals, conversation, and relaxation.

Designed with local flair and bringing a ‘kampung’ (village) spirit to the office, the cafe-pantry invites employees to take a breather and catch up over a cup of coffee, further fostering a sense of connection. Here, a specially crafted feature wall for internal messaging and callouts has been designed to encourage interaction and engagement. The result is a work environment that is as much about community as it is about productivity.

The office boasts a visually striking aesthetic that is infused with the company's brand identity, subtly weaving its signature angular lines into walls, flooring as well as other custom-designed spatial features and environmental graphics. The design also pays homage to Singapore. Views are directed towards floor-to-ceiling windows that highlight the cityscape surrounding it, and the strategic use of mixed and contrasting materials adds depth and character to the space, while also reflecting the city's diverse cultural heritage.

Reflecting Korn Ferry's commitment to ESG principles, the office is both environmentally conscious and conducive to a healthy work environment, reusing furniture from its previous office while incorporating new green-label materials, and following biophilic design principles, from the organic layout to maximising natural light and including live plants in the space.