Diageo wanted its Singapore office to be not just an operational hub for the region, but also a creative hub where inspiration, communication and ideas flowed freely. Believing that a positive work environment motivates employees to stay, Diageo intended its Singapore office to be a benchmark for design, planning and creativity.

Orbit’s work on this project began with selection of a suitable site. We recommended One George Street for its location, planning efficiency and enviable views over Boat Quay. In addition to standard office functions, Diageo’s design brief also called for a large, flexible conference center and a professional working bar for demonstrations and training of local on-trade staff. We developed the brief to combine the conference centre, bar and break-out lounge, so that the bar became the ‘heart’ of the office. Its status was further augmented by locating it where the best views are. When you’re at the bar, it’s easy to forget you’re in an office.

Diageo’s Singapore office also pioneered ‘office-less planning’ for Diageo in the region. Manager and director offices were removed. Directors were given a segregated area to work in and managers were given larger workstations beside the windows, however, in principle the furniture for all staff was identical. To highlight Diageo’s brands and to apply identity to different work groups within the office, we applied branded graphics to workstation screens and adjacent columns.

This was a project that involved our team from site selection to interior planning and design. Our established working history and familiarity with Diageo gave both sides the comfort level to select a local Project Manager who would oversee the contractor’s execution of our designs to an exacting standard. We monitored the project every step of the way and delivered a timely and extremely high quality fit-out that fulfilled the client’s brief for a stimulating work environment with great success. Diageo Singapore’s new office was ranked the No. 1 place to work in Singapore in 2005.