Dimension Data
Merge OTR designed the new offices of technology company Dimension Data in Singapore.
Helping people engage: Collaborative spaces are planned near and around the main work area in the form of meeting rooms, discussion pods and phone booths. Writable paint converts wall surfaces into brainstorming aids. These facilities enable the staff to rapidly get into non-formal collaborative activities with minimal fuss.
Bringing people together: A town hall/main breakout area named ‘The Stadium’ was designed beside the staircase at the main office floor. Tiered seating facilitates town hall meetings and departmental briefings. Stackable furniture provides flexibility to convert the space for wellness activities.
Enabling work to happen anywhere: The overall proposal provides a variety of working modes in the form of sit-down meeting rooms, phone booths, discussion pods, working pods, focus pods, hot-desks and breakout areas. Coupled with the provision of WiFi hotspots (whole office) and videoconferencing equipment (in all meeting rooms and phone booths), the staff are empowered to dictate their preferred working style and across borders and time zones with overseas counterparts.
Environmental responsibility: Dimension Data has a committed global sustainability vision and thus placed the same emphasis on the new fit out. The office was designed and built to attain the Singapore Building and Construction Authority’s Greenmark scheme Gold Award through the use of sustainable construction materials and good environmental practices.
Expression and Identity (space as branding platform): The company is portrayed as a professional business entity that is at the same time fun-loving. Front of house is decidedly corporate looking with its clean and sleek language. The Tri-Boardroom takes on the same delta shape as the company logo, reflecting a strong sense of brand imagery. Transiting into the back of house, skate scooters, swing seats, classroom furniture and live-size Vespa scooter expressed the company’s vibrant culture.
The office is now a nucleus where cross-pollination of ideas occurs freely. People communicate more at both the formal and informal level and identify more with each other. What used to be co-worker is now a colleague and a colleague has now become a friend. These intangible dynamics serve as a broader organisational goal driving the company forward in an increasingly challenging business environment.