In the southern portion of Singapore, nestled right above the Kallang River and Rochor River, is Ministry of Design’s (MOD) new office, MOD Workshop. Founded in 2004 by Colin Seah, MOD is a multidisciplinary design firm that focuses on architecture, branding, and interior design. MOD Workshop replaces the firm’s former award-winning Bar Code office where it operated from for 13 years. The new space is approximately 1,000 square feet. It redefines what an office layout and its purpose can look like. Rather than designing the office in order to entice employees to work in-person everyday, the space was designed for…remote work.
During the pandemic, MOD, like much of the world, shifted to working from home. Since then, the team has fully embraced remote work. Despite the shift, the multidisciplinary design firm still wanted to renovate their original stark black and white office into one that is light and crisp and reflects the new lifestyle. As such, the space isn’t an office so much as it is a workshop, a place for tinkering and creative collaborations. An estimated 60 percent of the space is now devoted to face-to-face collaboration, while the remaining 40 percent consists of multiple desks that anyone can use.
The space is encased in a series of overlapping white metal grids that look like scaffolding. This assembly was applied to the materials wall, ceiling lights, and surrounding walls. MOD cleverly designed the floor plan to take advantage of the one wall of windows. Each of the zones in the workspace falls under a horizontal grid, allowing the natural light to seep through the office.
The scaffolding adds texture to the frosted polycarbonate panels and fluted glass. This also cleverly allows for double functionality, like when the panels are horizontal to form a work table or to become storage and display space. Some screens are used as wall shelving or doors. For when the scaffolding is holding up heavy items, the architects inserted solid aluminum rods within to reinforce the frame.
A white backdrop allows for accent items to stand out—for example, the exposed materials library stretching alongside the grand 16-foot-long (5-meter) table that truly grabs the attention of those occupying the space. The tall, centrally located counter-high table is located in the coined “war room.” This zone is the heart of the office where discussions and presentations can be had.
On the opposite side of the material library is a metal divider that acts as a sleek pin-up wall. Throughout the office, MOD employees can gaze up to find other artifacts either suspended from the ceiling or placed at the top of the shelves, among these a sculptural piece comprised of black zip ties and gray pool noodles; black wooden chairs flipped upside down; a cute bright red Vitra Eames elephant propped next to a three-dimensional red metal framed chair; a shimmery disco ball; and other playful items. All of these elements evoke visual stimulation to get the creative juices flowing.
In MOD Workshop, the firm shifts its approach to office design by embracing its own unconventional purpose. The workshop’s efficient and compact space is oriented to foster creativity and collaboration, embracing remote work rather than trying to replace it.