Forrester is one of the most influential research and advisory firms in the world. They work with business and technology leaders to develop customer-centric strategies that drive growth through proprietary research, analytics, custom consulting, executive peer groups and learning offerings. They requested from Space Matrix a new office interior to accommodate expansion in Singapore and to provide a modern, sleek, updated corporate interior design space for their employees that is easy to upkeep, while being sustainable. They also wished to encourage greater collaboration and interaction across various teams and business units.
The client requested for a user-friendly, intuitive workspace design with multiple collaboration points to encourage staff to connect easily, have brainstorming sessions and to support various business units. As their last office refresh was five years ago, Forrester wanted to use the opportunity to freshen up the space with an even more contemporary look and modern design, add more headcount as well as introduce green features and replace aged furniture.
The client requested, from Space Matrix, for the office space design and meeting spaces to be versatile. Flexibility was thus catered for in the space planning for the front of house and back of house areas. Using operable walls, the boardroom can be opened up to merge with the pantry, allowing for additional space that can be used for bigger events and town halls. The result is that the layout is not limited and gives the client the freedom to modify it according to personalised and specific needs at the time.
For a modern look, a soft, earthy palette reflecting the materials, textures and colours of nature were incorporated into the design of Forrester’s new corporate office interior design, for a more mindful, thoughtful, lifestyle-based approach. This was to create an environment of warmth, serenity and calm for both guests and employees, while accent colours such as deep saturated teals and blues were paired with neutrals to inject some fun and energy.
A custom-designed metallic perforated ceiling, connected throughout the office and all the way to the pantry, highlights the central corridor and functions as both wayfinding and an aesthetically pleasing feature. The various zones and areas are cleverly, subtly highlighted via differences in the ceiling design, with distinctive ceiling features emphasising the communal areas for guests and employees.
The incorporation of sustainable design features in the project were also a WOW design feature of the corporate office design. In order to support the client’s desire for sustainability within the startup office design and low everyday maintenance without compromising on an impressive entrance area, 100% naturally preserved HyGro moss was used for the feature wall behind the reception. Aside from improving the aesthetics of the office through biophilia and creating a pleasant environment for employees, the presence of the space-saving vertical garden - with mosses carefully hand-picked from the forests of Northern Europe - provides other benefits such as acoustic insulation, improvement of air quality and reduction of sound pollution. Only natural pigments are used in the colouring and preservation process and no water, no maintenance or additional lighting is required, fulfilling the client’s need for fuss-free maintenance.
Recycled materials were also used in the design of the acoustic panels within one of the meeting rooms, making the office more environmentally-friendly. The acoustic panels also double up as an accent feature, with its design being a modern take on interior wall paneling, typically used as a decorative element in British homes.
