New Zealand Commercial Design Trends Series NZ Commercial Design Trends Vol. 30/12 | Page 88

Project Procter & Gamble Innovation Centre Location: Singapore Interior design: Orbit Design Studio WELL CONNECTED Collaboration, connectivity and an acknowledgement of its Asian context sum up the interior design strategy for Procter & Gamble’s Singapore Innovation Centre Business success today relies heavily on encouraging innovation and having the flexibility to implement changes quickly. And a major factor in achieving those outcomes is the workplace environment. When Procter & Gamble decided to build an innovation centre in Singapore, the goal was to come up with a radical design that reflected the company’s innovative spirit. The company says the new building needed to address the challenge of a tropical climate and be sympathetic to Singapore’s cultural heritage, but in a contemporary way. “While this is a highly sophisticated building from a technological point of view, we also wanted to create an inspiring and stimulating work environment 80 search | save | share at trendsideas.com to help drive creativity and innovation.” The 32,000m2 facility is Phase 4 in the Biopolis biomedical research hub, masterplanned by architect Zaha Hadid. It is Singapore’s largest private research centre, and is the first P&G centre to be built in a tropical and urban environment. One of the results of that is the intelligent facade design which uses clear glazing and louvres to give maximum access to daylight while controlling glare and heat. While P&G’s own architecture team worked with IDC Architects on the building itself, Orbit Design was commissioned to design the interiors and integrate corporate graphics and branding. Orbit design director Simon Drogemuller says this involved providing a host of functions – from Previous pages, below and right:The arrival process at the Procter & Gamble Singapore Innovation Centre sets the stage for design principles used throughout the interiors – transparency, connection and reflecting Asian culture. The impressive staircase cantilevers above the reception area and provides the main circulation path through the atrium.