If you feel good about going to work, the chances are high you’ll be more productive. That’s the thinking behind coworking venture The Work Project, which has opened its second premium coworking space in Singapore designed in collaboration with HASSELL.

The Work Project aims to elevate the coworking experience with aspirational interior design as well as a strong emphasis on the hospitality aspects of its spaces. It demonstrated this well in its first HASSELL-designed space at OUE Downtown.

The second venue is located within Singapore’s iconic Parkview Square building – a mock art deco tower built in 2002. HASSELL has complemented the tower’s distinct character by combining art deco influences with contemporary elements, and building on the iconography to simultaneously satisfy the brief’s request for a front-of-house that could rival any lounge or hotel environment in Singapore.

The hospitality-inspired design of The Work Project complements HASSELL’s earlier work at Parkview Square’s lobby bar ATLAS, where an expression of the art deco period is to be revelled in. Encouraging a continuity of experience, the stone from the ground-floor lift lobby is used in the entrance to the workplace. But the references go far beyond a singular material application.

The central heart developed by HASSELL is a multi-use arrival lounge and the focal point of the whole coworking space. The starburst ceiling is a direct response to the often-present iconography of sunrays in early twentieth-century design. It also allowed for an elegant and subdued lighting solution. This is paired with custom-made lights by New Zealand-based Douglas and Bec, bespoke joinery and custom carpets.

The earthy tones of the central space give way to darker recessed spaces for quiet moments and small meetings. Bronze lighting fixtures designed by Studio Henry Wilson pop against deep blue tones. A mix of various office types and sizes, as well as hotdesking, services the high-end boutique clientele and established corporate members.

The diversification of the coworking market has been parallel to the massive growth of the industry in the Asia Pacific region. With market consolidation expected, the distinctiveness of coworking offerings is crucial for operators. The Work Project is well placed in that regard.

Photography by E. K. Yap.