Ride-hailing service Grab recently unveiled its two-storey research and development (R&D) centre and headquarters at Marina One.
The 80,000-square-foot centre has more than 70 meeting rooms—named after iconic places or landmarks in the region—and spaces devoted to engineering and technological research. Nestled in the 22nd and 23rd floor, the centre is clad in floor-to-ceiling glass panels that offer clear views of the bay and the now-disused Tanjong Pagar Terminal.
The design brief called for a flexible and productive workplace that fosters interaction, with a variety of inspirational spaces and abundant natural light. As business units from different regional countries will be working together here, the design concept expresses South East Asian cultures and traditions within a modern and high-tech office, using various decorative elements, such as wall designs, artwork, fabric and accent pieces, down to the floor tiles.
A clean and simple interior, using whites and light wood tones with hints of bright colours, portray a welcoming office environment. Transportation elements are used to create a fun and interactive workplace, as well as wayfinding devices. A showcase of framed photographs featuring Grab’s driver-partners is a tribute to the group’s multinational and inclusive workforce.
The main office area is home to the company’s engineering, marketing and research teams, with shared spaces and desks to encourage teamwork and small phone booths for private calls. A green walking path runs around the office space for those who want to get some steps in during breaks, while an equipped gym is available for more intense workouts. The canteen-like eating area offers wide open spaces with long tables so employees can interact freely over meals.
To save costs, the designers flew to Vietnam with the client to handpick pieces of furniture to be shipped to Singapore. Another challenge was navigating the job site during the renovation period, as the Marina One building still had ongoing construction work, resulting in space constraints and a shared cargo lift. This had to be tackled with careful time management to ensure work efficiency.
PROJECT DATA
Project Name: Grab Office
Location: Marina One West Tower, Singapore
Completion Date: 20 November 2017
Gross Floor Area: 7,432 square metres
Projects Height: 2 storeys
Owner: Anthony Tan
Interior Design Firm: Ai Associates Pte Ltd
Project Manager: Ai Associates Pte Ltd
Mechanical & Electrical Engineer: Ai Associates Pte Ltd
Quantity Surveyor: Ai Associates Pte Ltd
Interior Fit-Out Contractor: DecoFurn Pte Ltd
Images: INFINITUDE – Architecture & Interior Photography
