Organized biennially by the Design Center of the Philippines, the Good Design Award Philippines (GDA) champions a distinctly Filipino approach to design rooted in malasakit (caring). It posits that good design goes beyond balancing form, function, and innovation—it creates meaningful solutions that respond to society’s most pressing challenges. The awards also advances the United Nations […]
The New Modernized Office Interior Design of MMS Maritime (Philippines) Inc.
A healthy and productive workforce is the cornerstone of any successful organization. And having a positive and conducive work environment is one of the strong influences to establishing it. Upholding this crucial fact, the MMS Maritime (Philippines) Inc. sought to create an office interior design that not only streamline business processes but also improve the well-being of its seafarers and onshore staff. Through Orange Spaces, the company undertook a renovation of their office in Bacoor, Cavite, transforming it into a motivating modern office, where their culture, value, and stakeholders are highly regarded.
MMS Maritime (Philippines) Inc. Through Waves of Progress
MMS Maritime (Philippines) Inc. traces its roots back to 2003, when it was founded as Multinational Maritime Inc. (MMI) by Meiji Shipping Group. Starting with only 10 employees, the company grew into a leading provider of maritime services driven by its goal to deliver globally competitive seafarers.
This trajectory significantly accelerated when the then MMI was joined by another Meiji Shipping Group company called Meika Marine Services (MMS). Such a strategic union expanded the workforce, bringing the total number of employees to 150. With that influx, however, the existing 640-square-meter office space became increasingly cramped and uncomfortable, impacting employee productivity and overall work efficiency.
In a positive light, this has also presented an opportunity to reimagine the office interior design to better align with the merged organizations’ new name. Notably, Orange Spaces, having previously designed smaller offices within the Cavite compound for MMS Maritime (Philippines) Inc., already has a deep understanding of the company’s needs and aspirations.
Orange Spaces’ Principal Architect Orange Clemente noted that those past collaborations served as a testing ground for both parties. This in turn allowed them to lay a strong foundation of trust, which sped up the pre-design phase in less than a month.
But during the design and construction phase in August 2024, they experienced a slight delay due to necessary permit approvals for employee relocation. Despite this setback, the interior design studio was able to provide a modern office for MMS Maritime (Philippines) Inc. by December.
Setting Sail with a Renovated Modern Office
With a vision to be a premier choice for exceptional seafarers, MMS Maritime (Philippines) Inc. aspires for a welcoming, collaborative, and seamless workspace. To perfectly align with this goal, Orange Spaces opted for a premiere look, taking inspiration from the brand’s signature blue and yellow colors and the maritime industry’s robust yet sophisticated aesthetic.
Clemente additionally shared that they also incorporated ship elements to fully establish a familiar yet modern industrial feel within the interior. Exposed pipe and ductwork with ship blueprint murals further enhance this design vision.
But to make the office interior design truly enduring, the new office carries a flexible and future-ready design. This is shown with how the interior design studio strategically re-calibrated the location of departments and implemented a straightforward open floor layout. The seamless integration of planters that serve as both visual dividers and additional storage spaces also demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to modern office design.
Charting the Course of MMS Maritime (Philippines) Inc.
From the moment you step in the MMS Maritime’s reception area, you can immediately recognize the prominent use of darker blue shades, neutral colors, and wood with subtle yellow undertones. Compared to the past interior design, which utilized brighter tones, this muted color palette creates a more sophisticated and refined ambiance. Not only does this set the tone for the rest of the areas in the office but also creates a sense of calm and professionalism.
At the back of the reception area is a dedicated conference room, providing easy access for employees from all departments. On its left are the finance, admin, and IT areas, with the President’s office conveniently located just across these departments. Clemente explained that since these offices collaborate more often, they positioned them next to each other to improve foot traffic.
Adjacent to the President’s office is the operations department, occupying the largest portion of the space. Since this department gets the most volume of visitors, Orange Spaces ensured ample space and comfortable waiting areas to enhance the overall stakeholders’ experience.
Next to the operations department are the two separate executive offices facing the storage room, which features a fluted wall and porthole-inspired window. The pantry occupies the space immediately adjacent to the storage room, ensuring that it doesn’t interfere with the main flow of activities. Opposite the pantry are the recruitment and printing areas, utilizing a space that may not require constant interaction with the main operational hub of the office.
Office Interior Design Anchored in Shared Vision
Orange Spaces believes in “spaces that grow with you,” fostering a sustainable and collaborative design process where clients and users are active participants. Reflecting this philosophy, Orange Spaces presented MMS Maritime (Philippines) Inc. with an office interior design that allowed them to interpret and personalize the space to create a sense of ownership.
“It’s more like when we design, we want to ensure that it’s a collaborative experience. So, we gave them our basic design and then it’s up to the staff and users on how to interpret it in the future. So, they have freer expression. Maybe they can put on artworks that are from their company, as well,” Clemente shared.
The principal architect further emphasized how this project provided invaluable lessons in remote project management.
“I was overseeing it [MMS Maritime (Philippines) Inc. project] from overseas. It’s not actually the first time that I’m overseeing projects from Australia but this one is a little bit bigger of a skill. So, working with a client who placed full trust in us was a key to its success,” Clemente highlighted. “Having a team that you can fully rely on towards the same goal and making sure we are aligned was crucial to achieving our desired outcome.”
The success of this office interior design has further solidified the partnership between MMS Maritime (Philippines) Inc. and Orange Spaces. Now, the latter is tasked with renovating the remaining offices in the building, with the design phase anticipated to commence in the first quarter of the year.
Photos provided by Orange Spaces
Read more: Cargo Office: Turning an Old House into a Modern Workspace
Frequently Asked Questions
Following the merger of Multinational Maritime Inc. and Meika Marine Services, the workforce expanded to 150 employees, making the original 640-square-meter space cramped and inefficient. The redesign was essential to accommodate this growth, streamline business processes, and establish a cohesive brand identity under the new company name.
The design team utilized a “modern industrial” aesthetic featuring exposed pipework, ductwork, and ship blueprint murals. They also integrated nautical elements like porthole-inspired windows and a color palette of deep blues and wood with yellow undertones, directly reflecting the company’s brand colors and seafaring heritage.
Orange Spaces implemented an open floor plan and grouped collaborating departments—such as Finance, Admin, and IT—in close proximity to the President’s office to optimize foot traffic. The Operations department, which handles the highest visitor volume, was given the largest area with ample seating to enhance the stakeholder experience.
The office features a future-ready layout with strategic department placement and the use of multi-functional elements. For instance, integrated planters serve as both organic visual dividers and additional storage spaces, allowing the environment to remain organized while providing a sense of openness that can adapt to evolving needs.
Principal Architect Orange Clemente emphasizes “spaces that grow with you,” providing a foundational design that allows employees to interpret and personalize their surroundings. This approach fosters a sense of ownership, as staff are encouraged to add their own artworks or company-specific touches to the professional framework provided by the designers.
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