4 Tips for Effective Commercial Building Interior Design in Singapore

Interior design is ignored by many business owners, but it really shouldn’t be. The right design can help your workplace function more smoothly and efficiently, guiding workflows, promoting collaboration, and motivating employees. In an ultra-competitive business environment like Singapore, every edge counts, and the right interior design is definitely one. Best of all, it’s completely under your control and doesn’t have to cost much. Here are some handy ways to make it work better for your business.

1. Understand Local Design Expectations

Commercial building interior design in Singapore, as in other developed countries, is subject to various codes and standards set by the government. It’s worth understanding these well before you start the process of designing or upgrading your space, because they place some minor limitations on what you will be able to do. For example, your design must follow fire safety codes and Urban Redevelopment Authority guidelines.

More than that, your space must also cater to the needs of the people who will work in it. Singapore’s climate is naturally very hot and humid, so it’s wise to think about air flow and factor air-conditioning units into your design. Natural light is important for employee happiness and productivity, but in a country with such powerful sunshine you will need to make sure the light inside your space is not too intense.

2. Focus on Spatial Efficiency

Property is expensive in Singapore. This is because, being a small island state, there is only a very limited amount of land. That means that space must be used as efficiently as possible. Every square metre of your building should have a clearly defined purpose, and you should look at incorporating movable furniture and partitions into your design so that spaces can be quickly adapted to serve multiple needs.

Another important consideration is storage. Ideally, this will be built into the design without making the area look cramped or untidy, for these qualities have been shown to increase workplace stress and decrease productivity. Many Singaporean businesses opt for designs that use vertical space for storage, such as by installing shelves and tall cabinets, much like how the city-state uses skyscrapers to make up for the lack of ground space.

Choose Durable and Sustainable Materials

Humidity, sweat, foot traffic, and more will gradually wear away at floors, desks, doors and other parts of your office. That’s why it’s important to choose durable materials that are easy to maintain and will last as long as possible, such as moisture-resistant flooring and anti-stain wall paints.

Sustainability should also be factored into how you manage your office space. This is an increasing concern among customers and governments, including Singapore’s. The government there operates the ‘Green Mark’  certification scheme, which assesses the environmental impact of commercial buildings. A certificate can have a strong positive impact on your brand’s image, so choose sustainable materials where possible.

4. Integrate Technology

Designs which allow for the seamless integration of technology are becoming standard in offices all around the world, but they are especially important in technologically advanced ones like Singapore. This means more than just providing some power outlets and network ports. There should be discreet channels for cables so that the visible workspace remains tidy and free from hazards, and the layout should be straightforward in order to accommodate upgrades and replacements in the future.

You should also think about including technologies that help your workplace meet other goals. For example, smart light bulbs can help with sustainability by dimming when it gets darker outside, saving energy. Also, think about how you plan to use space. If you are running a hotel, then fast check-in kiosks can make things quicker and easier for customers. Other businesses might consider technology like screens which play highlight reels in the lobby to impress clients and investors.

Conclusion

Effective interior design in Singapore and elsewhere goes beyond surface-level upgrades. It involves thinking carefully about the long-term goals of your business and the kinds of employee behaviours you want to enable and encourage. A well-designed interior is not a reflection of business success, but a driver of it.