Microsoft’s new Kuala Lumpur office is located in the prestigious Menara 3, KLCC Tower and covers 43,000sqft.

The design is based on Microsoft’s Workplace Advantage Programme, which focuses on empowering employees through new work environments that foster innovation and productivity, and that also reflect the organisation’s culture and position in the marketplace as a visionary technology leader.

This was HBO+EMTB’s third project with Microsoft, having already designed their offices in Singapore and in Manila, the Philippines.

In the Kuala Lumpur fit out, HBO+EMTB have created a sleek and high-tech environment with the use of modern and glossy finishes and materials, as well as vibrantly coloured furnishings.

The office spaces are designed to be non-hierarchical and non-territorial, while an increase in collaborative and social areas help encourage freer communication.

HBO+EMTB Director, Larissa Murphy, says that in this activity-based work environment, no one has a designated desk. “It is all about creating an office where individuals have the freedom to choose the best suited workplace setting for them to complete the task at hand,” she explains.

Staff are assigned lockers for personal belongings, which help to eliminate desk clutter.

The office also employs new technology such as Lync Enterprise Voice. All employees now use Lync software and a Lync headset to make and receive phone calls on their laptops, thus reducing the need for additional voice cabling.

In addition, staff can connect to any Lync meeting via a DECT enabled headset and be able to roam within 100 metres in the office without any audio interference – a feature that further allows all individuals to work in an environment that best suits their preferred style of work at any point in time, and increases productivity.

Like all Microsoft offices, Larissa says that the new Kuala Lumpur set up not only adheres to the organisation’s international Workplace Advantage Programme guidelines, but also incorporates local design elements. “Graphics for the Kuala Lumpur office reflect the local environment, and colour is also more in line with local preference.”

In addition, only the most sustainable furniture has been chosen for the project. “HBO+EMTB always looks for the most sustainable solution,” says Larissa. “This means products, materials and manufacturing processes, along with the distance of travel are considered.”

Following the successful completion of the Kuala Lumpur office, HBO+EMTB have now also been appointed to work on Microsoft’s offices in Guangzhou (China), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Dhaka (Bangladesh), and Brunei.

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