Need interior design inspiration in the office? We take a closer look at The Lo and Behold Group's shiny new headquarters, Airbnb's eclectic space and Tripadvisor's travel-inspired office and more
Gone are the days of dreary corporate life. Cramped cubicles, tiny pantries and a stuffy work culture? Things of the past. By now, you’ve probably heard of the legendary Google, Twitter and Facebook workspaces – but these tech giants aren’t the only ones monopolising the hip office scene. We bring you on a tour inside some of Singapore’s coolest offices, with gorgeous Pinterest-worthy decor, inspiring workspaces and incredible recreational features. Warning: These will cause serious office envy.
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The Lo & Behold Group
A collective sigh reverberated through our office when news of The Lo and Behold Group’s new, swoon-worthy headquarters spread. Occupying three 1820s shophouses along the buzzy, cultural hood of Kampong Glam’s Beach Road, the hospitality group’s space is a bright and breezy vision. Step through the majestic four-arch, concrete, pebble-studded entrance, and you’ll enter Looksee Looksee, a reading room-slash-tea salon open to the public. Furnished in pretty pastel shades, and warm natural materials like cane weave, the space allows guests to kick back with a cup of tea by A.muse Projects on a gratuity basis and books by creative industry leaders. As for employees, the gorgeous workspace above resembles a beautiful home. Skylights carved into roofs allow natural light to stream into the open-plan office, lush potted plants liberally dot the area for a serene garden effect, and furnishings created from natural materials like timber and cork perfectly complement the soothing green-grey palette.
The Lo & Behold Group, 267 Beach Road, Singapore 199545.
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Tripadvisor
Designed by local design studio, Kyoob-ID, Tripadvisor’s Singapore office naturally features travel-influenced design accents. In the pantry, a world map collage resembling a travel scrap book looms large on the walls, while holiday photos of employees decorate the walls along the office corridor. Road signs direct you to different departments, while pillars with warm-lit lamp posts bring to mind walks in London’s Hyde Park. At the general office area, the height-adjustable desks, bright-hued open spaces, high ceilings and natural light pouring in from large windows are geared to motivate staff. Our personal fave design feature? The red phone booths for small discussions.
Tripadvisor, Asia Pacific Headquarters. 8 Cross Street, #26-01, PWC Building, Singapore 048424.
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Airbnb
At Airbnb’s Singapore office, design elements are inspired by real listings around the world – for instance, you’ll find a bathtub used as a meeting table to replicate The Boat Shed in Byron Bay. Singaporean-inspired design elements are also a major theme here. The coral-coloured central staircase pays homage to the traditional ventilation blocks in housing projects here, while the gorgeous cafeteria with the Peranakan-inspired tiling and kopitiam chairs resemble a a contemporary local coffee shop.
Airbnb Singapore, 158 Cecil Street, #14-01, Singapore 069545.
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Expedia
Fun fact: The Expedia London office was recently voted the best place to work in the UK. And yes, its Singapore office certainly lives up to expectations. Its marketplace (made up of a pantry and cafe) is perhaps the biggest draw of the office. Meant as a central area for staff to socialise away from their desks, it boasts a well-stocked pantry (we’re talking loads of snacks and a fruit and nut bar, so our sources tell us) and a recreational area with an Xbox station and a foosball table for staff. Fun aside, meeting rooms are named and designed after popular travel destinations – the Fjordland, for instance, transports visitors to a Scandinavian ambience with LED ceiling light features to mimic the Northern Lights, while the Songpa mirrors buzzy South Korea with colourful lanterns and acrylic coloured walls.
Expedia Singapore, 38 Beach Road, 09-11 South Beach Tower, Singapore 189767.
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Honeycombers
We’ll come right out and say it: we’re proud of our office space! Located on the third floor of a charming Telok Ayer shophouse, our office receives tonnes of daylight thanks to the large, Art-Deco style windows by our desks. Visitors to our space are greeted by the Honeycombers bespoke neon light, propping prettily against a shocking pink tiled wall and above a photo-worthy, multi-coloured handmade lounge seat. Our sales area is a winner too – a gorgeous deep pink covers the walls next to a giant chalkboard, while an enormous pendant lamp hangs from the ceiling. In a brilliant juxtaposition of colours, cafe-style electric blue chairs surround a long wooden table, while large succulents bring greenery into the enclosed room.
Honeycombers, 101B Telok Ayer Street #03-00, Singapore 068574.