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Experience an exquisite workspace: Immerse yourself in the creative inspiration of the 5 winners of the DOTY Awards.

September 6, 2023

Best Commercial Design

The integration of modern and contemporary design in the workspace enhances the overall working experience by promoting relaxation and efficiency. A workspace requires a smart and attractive design to create an environment where the mind can focus and be productive. An office interior design that isn’t too distracting yet aesthetic and functional is the sweet spot.

GLOW PRODUCTION design by ARCHIPLAN INTERIOR DESIGN

NATURAL PRODUCTIVITY | EQUIPPING A BIOPHILIC PARK-LIKE SENSIBILITY, THIS OFFICE SPACE DESIGNED BY ARCHIPLAN INTERIOR DESIGN IS WARM AND INDUSTRIAL AT THE SAME TIME.

Who says natural and industrial can’t go together? Definitely not Archiplan Interior Design, who has combined the two seamlessly in its Glow Production project. The design team has been able to incorporate elements such as steel and concrete while still maintaining a strong semblance of warmth and nature. The designers are able to do so by implementing lots of wood and greenery. This four-storey office building is approximately 13,500 square feet, so the designers were tasked to design from the lobby all the way up to the rooftop. Starting with the ground floor, we have the lobby and cafeteria. These two areas are designed to mimic a park by using park-adjacent elements. This includes trees, steel fences, wood, and stone concrete. The biophilic design is further emphasised with wide windows that let in rays of natural light, dappled through the greenery draping from the ceiling.
The stairs themselves are also multifunctional, as one side of it serves as seating that also extends into a high booth table. This gives a sense of seamless harmony which is reminiscent of nature. Through glass doors with wooden handles lies a corridor surrounding a meeting room as well as a gym. Here, the design team makes the use of glass roofs to let in even more natural light. Back to the main entrance, we see a slanted wall that catches the attention of all who enters. From here, we can move to the cafeteria that’s designed to have different heights of tables and chairs for a lively social and working environment.
The upper floor office also follows the natural, warm and industrial aesthetic through its colours and materials. This toned-down environment promotes a minimalistic and productive workspace. The tall ceilings, light brown, and white tables in this open-concept office contribute to a youthful atmosphere. In this office, plywood panels and cabinets are left bare while the floors feature cement-looking vinyl, to maximize the park-like vibe. Here, the highlight comes in the semi-circular discussion room that even has a cat room underneath, boasting the casual and open workplace culture. The cat room uses a curved clear acrylic partition for an easy glance into the room, so fur parents can dote over their cats whenever necessary.
Then, we have the gorgeous rooftop that overseas the vicinity. Greenery takes centre stage on the rooftop. Once again, the designers have incorporated that park vibe with the park benches and tables and concrete details. All in all, this office space is an urban employee’s dream with all of its facilities and amenities. The modern aesthetic and park-like concept is also refreshing and conducive to a productive environment. The designers from Archiplan Interior Design have certainly done a wonderful job in fleshing out the entire office building.

BUILDER DESIGN OFFICE design by BLUE BRICKS

RUSTIC EFFETE | RUGGED AND MODERN, THIS CHINESE INDUSTRIAL FUSION OFFICE SPACE UNIQUELY DRAWS ON NATURAL MATERIALS AND NEUTRAL TONES TO CREATE A RUSTIC AMBIANCE THAT IS WARM AND OVERFLOWING WITH VALUES.

Utilising black ceilings to create an illusion of height in contrast to its natural beams and raw cement walls, it defines this office’s ability to adapt and emerge tops when it comes to service towards its clients and the deliverables promised. The pantry adds a touch of elegance with the bright yellow laminated aluminium fixtures. In similar fashion the yellow discussion high table is perched on raw bricks to encourage fun and delight as the employees sit comfortably on contour bar chairs. However, the uniqueness of the pantry doesn’t stop there. It continues on to the one-of-a-kind cement sink that prevents water-splash while keeping with the overall office theme.
Creating a feature wall of raw bricks, the Chesterfield sofa and Obair solid wood coffee table paint the picture of stability and transparency in this company’s dealings. The rest of the space is dedicated to open workstations that promote clear communication and electrify efficiency. Equally divided into groups for ease of commune, the furnishing focuses on comfort and good posture to ensure the employees are able to pull the necessary work hours without affecting their health.
Giving the top management some privacy, the heads of each sector in this company are placed together behind a black framed glass room. The founders of this company on the other hand display their distinct style and character into their individual office spaces. One office uses an L-shaped juxtaposition of wood as its table and a stately office chair as its main decor here. With white ceilings as a demarcation of achieving neverending heights, it is an extension of the natural light that flows from its large wall-to-wall windows. More conservative and cosy in nature, the other office holds the company’s nameplate in gold calligraphy. A meeting place of Western and Easten ideas, the unique pieces of furnishing here holds a multitude of interests of its owner.
Finally, the joint meeting room on the other hand encompases a sense of unity as the joined wood tables line up uniformly. Using the natural brick wall, cement finish surroundings, frosted glass and natural light as parts of its habitat, it also translates as a place where opinions are heard to achieve actionable solutions.

VANTAGE ENERGY GROUP OFFICE design by IDPM STUDIO

AURA OF ENERGISED SOPHISTICATION | VANTAGE ENERGY GROUP IS A PRESTIGIOUS CONSULTANCY FIRM THAT PROMISES A VARIETY OF SOLUTIONS AND EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SUPPORT. REFLECTING THE GROUP’S VALUES, ITS CORPORATE OFFICE IS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT ESG POLICIES, PROFESSIONAL ETHICS, AND PRACTICES.

Every business’s success is ‘An Experimental Journey,’ a ‘Juxtaposition of the Outside In.’ An introspection of Vantage Energy’s natural evolution is designed into a 3-dimensional medium using contrasting elements. All sections focus on sustainability and continuity of area that maximises transparency throughout the workspace.
Segregated into neat sections, every space has a dedicated role to play. There is a state-of-the-art boardroom and an imposing reception area with open-space seating for the employees to freely interact. The mixture of natural and artificial lighting at the entrance is part and parcel of the multi-dimension visual space. Using wood beams to contrast against its smooth white ceiling counterpart shows the company’s flexibility in addressing and developing solutions. The heavy hardwood island is also a receptionist desk. It takes centre stage with its unique combination of white marble and tiger art that rests behind its polished surfaces. At the end of this space, the waiting is equal in geometry, giving the idea of fairness to all Vantage Energy’s clients. 
Covered in slabs of grey Emperador Marble, the boardroom inspires bold leadership and meaningful changes. Guarded by structured forms of panelled wood, the movable whiteboards double up as a functional artistic feature that changes the room’s ambiance. Channelling a creative decorative spirit into the heart of this corporate office, unique pieces of local art adorn the beautiful rich wood panels and padded walls. The other meeting rooms are encased in see-through glass walls that enjoy a view of the city and its concrete jungle charm.
Breathing insight into a matured working space, the dramatic lines and forms on the ceiling draws the eye to enjoy a captivating sight without leaving the office. In line with Vantage Energy Group’s policy, all materials used are sustainable and practical. Every group of office desk is spaced out to give sufficient personal space for every individual while maintaining an open-space concept that promotes bonding and friendship.  With a selection of natural elements that create stark contrast from the building’s exterior, it exudes balance and harmony. This consistent atmosphere juxtaposes materials that intersperse with timber finishes to nourish the soul and breathe life into the space. Think Vantage Energy Group and be reminded of timelessness and understated elegance. 

THE ROOF REALTY CORPORATE OFFICE design by HTIEK SDN BHD

MINIMALIST, MONOCHROME & MODERN | ZOOMING STRAIGHT OUT OF THE DISTANT FUTURE IS A CORPORATE OFFICE LIKE NO OTHER, PROVING THAT KEEPING IT CLEAN AND STRAIGHTFORWARD NEED NOT BE PREDICTABLE AND ONE-DIMENSIONAL.

Practically-speaking, white continues to prevail as an optimal choice for commercial spaces due to its many impeccable abilities. This includes but is not limited to expanding spatial feel, increasing brightness, minimising heat levels as well as allowing effortless multi-colour combinations. Although it can be viewed as a classic colour, it need not be classic in its approach for today’s era of interior design.  With that said, The Roof Realty Corporate Office is far beyond your average office space. It prides itself as an ideal environment for those that are future-forward in thinking and dare challenge the norm. Reminiscent of Kazimir Malevich’s famous ‘White on White’ abstract oil-on-canvas painting or a white rabbit in a snowstorm, the entire space – including the furniture selected – is cloaked in pure white to present an overall pristine, elegant and serene aesthetic. To put it simply, the design of the office can be defined into three important keywords: minimalist, monochrome and modern. 
Keeping it elementary and fuss-free, the design also takes on a futuristic or space shuttle-like appeal thanks to the countless LED light strips used. For example, instantly drawing the eyes upwards is the ceiling of the reception area which is covered with various polygonal shapes, highlighted with backlit natural white lighting to enhance this subtle placement of pattern. Together with vertically tubular light fixtures, these sources of light are also seen throughout the walls but with a warm white glow to not only illuminate in a subtle way but imbibe dynamism in movement too. Dried flowers are also used to bring a touch of nature indoors but in a more sustainable way. 
The collection of stark white furniture used – including built-in shelves – constructs a seamless sense of cohesion that allows its shape to do all the talking. Over at the visitors’ waiting area lies two sets of Vitra’s iconic Panton Chair, highly expressive in form due to its unusual cantilever structure with an anthropomorphic shape and a slightly flexible material. The irregular hexagon-shape of the feature wall, etched with deep blue geometric lines, radiates a youthful energy in its simplicity. The Roof Realty’s signature logo with customised lighting is mounted proudly onto the grey feature wall behind the reception area, completed with bubble-shaped cut outs as additional detailing. In fact, the pops of turquoise and orange from the logo itself helps it stand out and brightens up the entire room with its vibrant pairing of colours. 
As for the presentation room, facing the enormous black screen is a mix of clear and orange transparent chairs held up by frames reinforced with silver chrome plating; it can be said that a floating effect of sorts is created, akin to the microgravity experienced by astronauts in space. The use of sparse furniture here keeps the purpose of the room straightforward. Bolstering the productive and positive energy intended are the lines of LED lights which continue here but in a 360 degrees manner. Finally, a trio of frameless, clear glass photo frames completes the decor for the overall design scheme which signals the innovative thinking of the company’s approaches.

ACO GROUP OFFICE design by SPAZEHAUS SDN BHD

CORPORATE CONTEMPORARINESS | DESIGNED FOR A FAST-GROWING ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS AND ACCESSORIES COMPANY, THIS OFFICE SPACE CHALLENGES TRADITIONAL WORK STYLES WITH ITS CONTEMPORARY INFLUENCES.

When designing a space, it’s always crucial to determine its inhabitants and purpose. The same is true for commercial projects. It’s important to take note of the business itself. For this Spazehouse project, the customer base is clear. ACO Group is a fast-growing electrical products and accessories company based in Johor Bahru. The office is intended to house 70 staff members. Knowing this, the interior designers are able to create a space that is fitting to the style of the company. According to Spazehouse, the designers wanted to design a space that challenged traditional work styles. Instead, it wanted to encourage interactions amongst employees while elevating the brand identity of ACO Group. The new layout thus had an open office concept with open desks and more space for collaborations.
This 18,000-square-feet space features unique materials such as a PU stone wall panel, wood slab wall panel, glass bricks, and Vesari texture paint. There is certainly a bunch of dynamic textures at play in this building to add intrigue. The colour palette consists of blacks, whites, and some beige. A modern dark minimalist aesthetic can be found here, with pops of green from plants to add liveliness to the chic and luxe workplace. Sans serif font is used where needed, mimicking the font of the ACO Group logo to keep a sense of unity. Such fonts are also known to be a lot more contemporary compared to serif fonts.
Everything from the filing cabinets to the lighting fixtures seems to be minimalistic, which is preferable for an office to prevent a cluttered look. However, the designers are still able to inject a refreshing bit of fun by playing with things such as the checker upholstered chairs and unique napkin dispenser in the shape of a face found in one of the common areas. More than an office, Spazehouse has succeeded in creating a work environment that is professional, chic and lively at the same time.
This article is originally available at Commercial Concept

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