Collaborative work areas that promote interaction and greater staff engagement are nothing new, but perhaps not many organisations have pushed the limits quite as far as international energy recruitment firm Spencer Ogden.

Their newest office in Singapore on the 34th floor of One Raffles Place is their boldest yet. Like the firm’s previous location at Clarke Quay Central (see our story here), the new and bigger 12,000 square feet workspace features the company’s signature Astro Turf flooring, and the same large round ‘workstations’, which are capable of seating teams of up to 20 employees each. Everyone is given a wireless headset, which enhances the fluidity of movement around the office and interaction amongst co-workers.

Conceived by Bonita Spencer-Percival, Spencer Ogden’s Creative Director, and planned and fitted by design consultancy Space Matrix, the space also incorporates several firsts, like the banquette-style booths, as well as a ping-pong table, a foosball table, and bicycles to keep staff “energised while they work”.

For local context, the space features colourful rickshaws, and a Sir Stamford Raffles inspired Club Room. There’s also a warehouse-style trading floor, and a ‘Not Bored Room’, which serves as the company’s boardroom.

“It’s a play on words,” explains Bonita. “Boardrooms can sometimes be quite stuffy and restrictive, which is why we decided to do something different by adding cool art and having glass walls. This way, staff will enjoy the space, and we think it stimulates creativity and out-of-the-box thinking.”

While the office has been specifically designed as one big open environment, considerations have also been made to cater to the need for private work areas.

“We have four meeting rooms, which staff can use at any time. They all have a unique look and feel, and our consultants use them for private phone calls, meetings with clients or even just to get some peace and quiet,” says Bonita. There are, however, no enclosed rooms for management. “In this office the directors and managers are all seated at the round tables with the rest of the consultants. This is so they can lead their teams and provide support when necessary,” says Bonita.

“We have never bought into the concept of the cubicle desk and have instead always favoured large round tables because they encourage team work and foster a collaborative environment and culture.”

Spencer Ogden’s CEO David Spencer-Percival adds,” I want the team to enjoy coming to work and I strongly believe that creating a positive working environment brings benefits.”

The proof is in the pudding, as they say. According to the company, staff productivity has already increased by 30 per cent.