H A R D W A R E H O U S E
Tool-box elements get an inventive twist in the hands of the team from Poole Associates. Wing screws, aircraft bolts and wire mesh are the working palette that has been applied as design details to the interior of Dentsu, Young & Rubicam advertising agency.
The nature of raw materials is that they impart a shoddy first impression when a close tab is not kept on quality finish. The Poole team, however, has manipulated galvanized zinc plates and disused timber planks with willful aplomb. By giving Poole the go ahead to apply such rough-edged materials to their enterprise is telling of the ad agency's risk taking boldness.
The light industrial interior style is an extension of the character of the Concourse building where the office is tenanted at the 30th floor. 'I like the subtle approach to an environment that enhances creativity, not overpowering it,' says designer Ed Poole. The flooring of raw timber planks at the reception area is an element of surprise for one expecting a prim and polished office akin to such a high tech building. The timber was picked up from the recent spate of shop house renovations. They offer an alternative and economical solution to flooring.
The elongated lobby area is capped at one end with a reception counter clad in lead sheet. Behind the counter is the DY&R corporate logo cast in copper plate. It is intended for the signage to mottle with time to lend textural interest. At the opposite end of the narrow walkway are two all glass board rooms which pull in the light and the southern Singapore sea view into the narrow space. Hence, regardless of the orientation in the office, one never loses sight of the exterior.
The grid lattices of the 5m-long sliding garage door are repeated at the Boardroom glass wall. They activate the space with kinetic energy, very much in keeping with the openness and flow of ideas one expects of the work culture in an ad agency.