In 2015 at Singapore Design Week, designer Gabriel Lichauco inaugurated the NewFolk brand that worked to explicitly showcase the emerging talents of the Philippine art scene. Ten years later, with No Boundaries by NewFolk, Lichauco yet again features the upcoming crop of innovative designers seeking to change the product design world today. Shown at Space […]
5 Modern Office Interior Design Ideas for a Productive Workspace
The modern work setting is a dynamic entity, constantly adapting to new technologies, work styles, and employee needs. As businesses strive for peak performance and efficiency, the design of their work environment has become a crucial element. This exploration into five modern office interior design ideas showcases how companies worldwide could be the blueprints to spark inspiration vision for your own productive workspace.
Concrete Collage Office
Collage Design Studio’s headquarters in Thailand showcases resourceful architecture within constraints. With a small 82-square-meter plot and a modest budget, lead architects Cherdsak Soisuwan and Puttichart Wanichtat constructed a robust three-story building using repurposed, unpolished concrete blocks from Ayutthaya City. This design approach embodies their vision to use “the purity of concrete,” expressing a language of material honesty and simplicity.
An existing tamarind tree on the site led to the building’s L-shaped structure, with a narrow staircase linking its two sections. The office interior design mirrors the raw, brutalist exterior, featuring unpolished concrete walls and ceilings contrasted by black flooring. Concrete shelving units also become the office’s defining functional architectural elements.
Large floor-to-ceiling windows in the stairwell and throughout the office flood the space with natural light. This additionally offers views of the surrounding greenery, further integrating the structure to nature.
Moreover, balconies on the second and third floors provide employees with direct access to sunlight. Meanwhile, the sliding glass doors promote an open and transparent co-working environment. The main office space, on the other hand, blends industrial elements with modern design by utilizing large concrete blocks as work areas and incorporating black Barcelona sofas.
Such a modern office interior design proves how inventive problem-solving can result in exceptional architecture, even within significant limitations.
Photos by Witsawarut Kekinna
Read more here.
Cargo Office
Orange Spaces, led by Architect Orange Clemente, demonstrates the power of adaptive reuse in commercial design. Situated in Quezon City, the 95-square-meter office is a transformation of an abandoned post-World War bungalow.
Initially slated for a five-story mixed-use development, pandemic-related cost fluctuations led the client to commission the design studio to create a workspace within a restricted budget. Clemente then proposed repurposing the existing structure to save costs and time.
Aiming to preserve traces of the old building, Orange Spaces retained its original layout after ensuring structural integrity. Drawing inspiration from the client’s logistics business, they infused a cargo container aesthetic into the exterior using light gray, corrugated, and stainless steel panels.
In contrast, the office interior design offers a warmer ambiance with fluted panels, wood tones, and porthole-like lighting fixtures. Clemente consciously preserved the open floor plan and the placement of the kitchen and bathrooms to maintain the essence of the original house. For her, upholding economic choices like this respectfully conserves the existing elements of the old structure.
Beyond its functionality, the Cargo Office serves as an inspiration for choosing renovation over demolition. Clemente emphasizes the economic and practical advantages of these kinds of interior designs for offices, citing the flexibility it offers compared to newer, often less adaptable developments.
Photos courtesy of Orange Spaces
Check the full article here.
Cave Office
Designed by Javier Senosiain with Luis Raúl Enríquez M. and Julieta Badillo, this workspace challenges conventional office design by drawing inspiration from natural cave formations. This innovative office interior design rejects the typical cubicle layout in favor of undulating walls, yellow lighting, and maple root veneer. More than reminiscent of a spacious cave, it even evokes the futuristic setting of the Cantina from Star Wars.
Its rectangular layout is transformed into a series of interconnected, rounded zones that mimic the erosion of caves. This look is achieved with pine wood skeletons and surfaces upholstered in leather.
Strategic pathways define three distinct areas for focused private work and collaborative communal activities. First is the central volume, serving as the general hub. The other two are dedicated spaces for workshops and private meetings. There is also an adjacent terrace, offering an additional outdoor space. Integrated furniture follows the contours of the interior, which further contributes to the seamless foot traffic and overall organic feel.
Prioritizing the “natural rhythm of human movements,” the Cave Office promotes fluidity and interaction. Furthermore, this corporate office interior design demonstrates that the future of a dynamic workspace can be achieved by looking to the past.
Photos provided by Javier Senosiain
Learn more about the feature here.
MMS Maritime (Philippines) Inc. Office
Situated in Bacoor, Cavite, the old, cramped 640-square-meter office of Meiji Shipping Group’s Philippine manning arm needed a renovation. The goal was to create a motivating modern office interior design that streamlines processes and enhances the well-being of seafarers and onshore staff.
Orange Spaces, having previously worked with MMS Maritime, leveraged their understanding of the company’s culture and values to expedite the pre-design phase. The design drew inspiration from the company’s blue and yellow branding and the maritime industry. Ship elements like exposed pipework and blueprint murals are integrated for a familiar yet industrial feel.
The renovated office features a flexible, future-ready design with an open floor plan and strategically relocated departments to improve workflow. Planters distributed across the space serve as visual dividers and storage.
The reception area utilizes darker blue shades, neutral colors, and wood with yellow undertones for a sophisticated ambiance. A centrally located conference room and the adjacent positioning of frequently collaborating departments like finance, admin, and IT enhance accessibility. The operations department, receiving the most visitors, was given ample space and comfortable waiting areas.
Next to the operations department are the executive offices, storage room, pantry, and recruitment and printing areas. To tie these spaces to the overall maritime theme, a fluted wall and porthole-inspired windows are incorporated.
Orange Spaces emphasized the importance of “spaces that grow with you,” allowing MMS Maritime staff to personalize the workplace over time. Following the successful renovation, the design studio is now tasked with renovating the remaining offices in the building.
Photos provided by Orange Spaces
Read the full story here.
Mason Studio’s Office
The post-COVID workspace has evolved into a multi-functional hub, prioritizing well-being and community engagement alongside traditional work. Mason Studio, a Toronto interior design firm, exemplifies this transformation in their redesigned office for the 2023 DesignTO Festival. Their Penham Park studio, housed in a white, industrial-style building, functions as both a workspace and a vibrant cultural center.
Beyond serving its team, the studio operates as a gallery, community library, fabrication lab, non-profit experimentation space, and even a coffee bar. White curtains subtly divide these diverse areas, while biophilic designs foster a serene atmosphere. A double-height atrium accommodates large-scale art installations, and an upstairs study features plant life and nature-inspired furniture to promote tranquility and reduce stress.
Notably, Mason Studio offers an open materials library with a “give-one-take-one” system accessible to the local design community. According to the firm, these amenities aim to stimulate the local economy and contribute to the community’s cultural vitality, highlighting the office’s expanded role in serving the “greater good.”
Photos by Scott Norsworthy
Read more about it here.
In the end, the evolution of the workspace is an ongoing journey. By observing and drawing inspiration from these diverse approaches to modern office interior design, you can cultivate an environment that not only meets the practical demands of work but also fosters creativity, collaboration, and well-being.
Read more: 5 Imaginative Modern Apartment Designs Around the World
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