The rise in geographical mobility, the preponderance of start-ups and emergence of mobile technology… all these have drastically changed the way workers interact within the office environment, with open-plan offices being all the rage two years ago. Yet, such seating arrangement also courts its share of criticisms – the lack of privacy and drop in productivity being two of many.

With Boston Consulting Group’s new Shanghai office, M Moser Associates has devised a working environment that combines the best of both worlds

Spread over two-and-a-half floors, BCG’s 2400-square-metre office is located in the soaring Shanghai IFC. The first thing that M Moser set about doing was do away with the window-facing seating. In place are private offices, which are located at the core instead of along the borders. Wi-Fi accessibility in every corner of the office, and the various communal spaces also allow for the free flow of ideas.

Yet what makes the space really sing is its fluidity. With the rise in staff mobility, post-80s generation workers are no longer chained to their desk 24/7. In response to this trend – and to minimise space wastage – furniture and fixtures in the ‘town hall’ space can be easily rolled or stacked away, transforming the area into a lounge, group work setting or training centre according to the need.

Having this kind of flexibility is as much a psychological as it is a practical concern. As Cynthia Chan, Director of M Moser Associates in Shanghai says, “With the post-80s generation, you have a workforce that is more open and widely connected. They are generally also great multi-taskers and value things differently, especially learning, and need to feel that their time is well spent – especially in their workplace. What it translates to in terms of workplace design is a need to make the workplace a more social, less formal environment – almost a cafe-like atmosphere with a free flow of ideas and less hierarchy.”

While the interior is dominated by neutral tones of light beige, white, brown and grey, it is also enlivened by pops of yellow, orange and green. Elongated ceiling lights and glass staircases add to the light, airy feel, while the mix of chair types injects the space with an easygoing vibe.

A minimalist design approach also encourages employees to make the place their own. “People tend to add things of their own to designs that are not in themselves adorned,” explains Ziggy Bautista, Associate Director at M Moser Associates. “The design becomes like a backdrop or a blank canvas which users can personalise. Personality doesn’t solely come from design – it comes partly from design, and partly from the people using the design. It becomes ‘their’ space.”

M Moser Associates
mmoser.com