Here's a sneak peek at ShoreTel's open-concept solutions centre

Find out how its designer played with natural light and the gorgeous Marina Bay view.

Launched in January, Shoretel's APAC headquarters in Singapore highlights an open-plan design bound to create a harmonius ambiance among partners, employees, and customers.

Singapore Business Review interviewed a representative from ShoreTel Asia  to learn more about the design of its Singapore office.

Who was the client? What were the needs/requirements of the client for its office space outlined in the brief to the design firm?

The client was ShoreTel, the provider of unified communications platforms, including business phone systems, applications and mobile UC solutions. It is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, and has regional offices worldwide.

ShoreTel required an open-plan office to cater for 12 pax workstations, 3 managerial offices, a fully functioning kitchen, solutions centre, a training room for up to 20 students, and a breakout area to fit into the existing-fitted office space. The office also needed to have ample storage facilities for technical equipment and marketing materials from ShoreTel and third-party company products.

As the company’s head office for Asia, the space had to be a showcase for ShoreTel – for visiting partners, customers and regional employees – as well as a great working environment for ShoreTel’s Singapore-based staff.

What is significant/unique about this project/design?

Our design firm, F2D & Associates, was able to successfully manipulate the existing-fitted space, make use of the abundant natural light available and illustrate the idea of an open-concept workspace with new furniture, a new kitchen, and larger storage areas. The newly completed solutions centre showcases the full breadth of ShoreTel’s product portfolio running on various platforms and client devices including:

• Unified Communications
• Contact Centre
• Mobility
• A comprehensive selection of advanced applications like call recording and Salesforce.com integration available for customers and partners to see and experience
• Working integrations with Microsoft Lync, Polycom videoconferencing, and many others from ShoreTel's extensive innovation network

Please give us a brief description of the office space.

The office space has clearly defined front and back office areas. The front office consists of a communal space, a technical demonstration facility and the training room, and the back office consists of open workstations and managerial offices. The open workstations and the managerial offices are strategically positioned, allowing both to enjoy the spectacular view towards Marina Bay and a good amount of natural light.

Tell us about the ShoreTel team who worked on this project.

The project was coordinated by ShoreTel’s APAC Office Manager, Lesley Rahme, with direction and input from Bruce Downing, ShoreTel Managing Director, Asia and South Africa. Although based in Sydney during the majority of the project, Lesley was able to work very easily and collaboratively with local Singapore interior-design firm, F2D & Associates, to complete the project in time for ShoreTel’s official office opening in January this year.

Where is the office located?

It is located at Suntec Tower Three, #41-03, 8 Temasek Boulevard, Singapore 038988.