I miss a good office. There, I said it – the words that these days border on conservative heresy. But, as everyone who's had to work from home the past two years can probably attest, there is a propriety and satisfaction that comes from a dedicated workspace.
To say nothing of irritants outside one's control like grass cutters, neighbours with home improvement plans that never seem to end, or neighbours who've spontaneously decided to keep a crowing rooster as a pet. If that last one sounds like an exaggeration to you, count yourself lucky.
The solution, especially for remote workers, freelancers, or teams looking to return to in-person arrangements, is obvious: co-working spaces. And of the many options available in Singapore, The Work Project is perhaps the most compelling of the lot.
Unlike a lot of the earlier players in the game that were designed to cater to a younger, creative crowd, The Work Project puts forth a more premium and blue-chip proposition. Each of its 8 locations in Singapore are strategically and conveniently placed in the business district hub, housed in Grade-A buildings with a host of facilities, and beautifully designed and furnished so as to make the experience of working borderline luxurious.
The secret sauce really is in the details. There's a level of attention paid to more than just bare minimum necessities like high speed internet and a working pantry. Take, for example, its Capital Tower location which houses an exclusive business club with an all-day F&B programme courtesy of leading drinks consultancy Proof & Company. Or even its Asia Square space that actually features a vertical garden landscape designed by renowned botanist Patrick Blanc and an art installation by Gallery HUUE.
These touches may sound like fripperies, but if you're spending the bulk of your day in one place these details do indeed matter. A few others that sweeten the deal: spaces are equipped with designer furniture from the likes of Herman Miller, Steelcase, and Florence Knoll; while the more utility-focussed will appreciate features like state-of-the-art Cisco video conferencing systems set up in meeting rooms.
It helps too that The Work Project have structured their pricing plans to meet a variety of needs. Day passes start from $50, while monthly options include hot desks from $295, and private offices from $800 per person. The latter two plans also include membership with The Work Project, which entails benefits like 24/7 access to any of The Work Project's houses, unlimited access to hot desks, focus rooms and small meeting rooms, and a host of lifestyle perks and discounts from partner brands.
That means something for everyone, from a lone freelancer to small teams looking for a semi-permanent work space. What ties it all together, of course, is the quality of life upside of spending time in a considered and well-designed space. The office is (kind of) dead, long live the office.
