Feature Articles

Savings in the Workplace:
Effective design solutions during economic downturns

Current economic uncertainties mean many companies are considering ways to cut costs while potentially improving the effectiveness of their workplaces. Relocating to newly developed "Grade A" office spaces in more competitively priced de-centralised locations is a feasible way of achieving both objectives. Such a step is often seen as being a viable option when leases are up for review. M Moser has assisted several clients to fully evaluate the different scenarios available to them in both centralised and de-centralised locations.

The business case for sustainable workspace design

Sustainable design is an increasingly important, highly integrated approach to the development of workspaces. The concept leverages the principles of the "triple bottom line", an expanded spectrum of values and criterion for measuring the economic, environmental and social success of an organization. Sustainable design approaches must leverage a specific client's mission, plan and budget to achieve the best possible end results.

The Red Ribbon

A key element of the company's Corporate Identity, the curving Red Ribbon clearly connects functions and utilities within Global Sources' offices.

Driving Change in the Workplace

To maximize the opportunities arising from workplace-related Change, early dialogue sessions with workplace specialists experienced in workplace design and creation are essential. Such discussions ensure correct decisions are made before cost-binding choices, such as taking up or designing an inappropriate space, can impact the end result.

Also, the Design Process can be a highly effective mean to communicate to both management and staff, and therefore can be used as a tool to implement and communicate the Change initiative. Effective Change Leadership can help to generate crucial early buy-in and reduce staff resistance-associated risk.

Setting-up across the Pond

Increased deregulation of UK financial markets has seen many companies setting-up in London. In this article, we examine ways in which financial companies which do not have the necessary London resources can streamline the pin-pointing and fitting out of new premises in and around the UK capital.

Where the world offsets risks

Probably the world's oldest and best known specialist insurance market, Lloyd's of London has long believed in using its offices as a vibrant and highly visible expression of its brand ethos. When planning its entry into the rapidly expanding China market, Lloyd's commissioned M Moser Associates to create a workspace that would dramatize its centuries-old reputation for integrity and innovation.

A Better Place to Work

25 Approaches to a Positive Work Environment

Designing from the Inside Out

Big Dutchman's decision to create its Asian headquarters "from inside out" has proved central to the success of the project. Not only was time and cost savings achieved because the inside and the outside were conceived as a whole, Big Dutchman was also able to benefit from a strong corporate image projected through the highly integrated interior-exterior architecture. The result is no less than "a home away from home", an office space of which all staff at Big Dutchman "are very proud".

An Open Invitation

Scottish Re Limited is thrilled with everything its new City office brings to its business. The Re-insurer and M Moser worked closely together to create a fresh, open, stable and dependable image, impressing visiting clients with a visual statement of the reinsurer's business commitment, while at the same time making all the UK and international staff feel perfectly at home in their new office.

Sharpening the competitive edge in today's "Talent Wars"

A well-designed office can help enhance a company's attractiveness and loyalty levels.

There was a time when the more tempting the salary and benefits package, the more staff choices employers had. In the quest to create "added value" with which to attract new talent and hold on to key team members, businesses of the 21st Century are looking to more intangible perquisites.

Verve Centre

'Connecting People' is an apt slogan for cellphone giant Nokia's line of business. And with the recent completion of an extensive renovation of their Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore, it applies equally well to their office. The work of office design specialists M Moser Associates, the project transformed an unwieldy, dispersed series of spaces into a volume whose very architecture encourages the spontaneous, face-to-face contact that is the best stimulus for productivity.

- published article in

The Focal Connection

Consolidating four offices into one was a great opportunity for National Australia Bank subsidiary MLC to take over a multi-floor space and share it with all, regardless of rank. M Moser Associates created MLC's focal point of communication by linking three storeys with an atrium and a full length audio-visual screen.

The Great Indoors

BP asked M Moser Associates to create an environmentally progressive office and feature its corporate workplace strategy, Blue Chalk, in a uniquely Singaporean context. The result has management and staff seeing green!

Just-In-Time Offices

For Maersk's new offices in Shanghai, M Moser resolved three logistical challenges in one design solution; co-location from two buildings into one, conversion of the new premises from retail to office use, and on-target project delivery with the same high standards and reliability that distinguish Maersk.

Diversity Drives Success

Encouraging staff to innovate, communicate and learn is important in today's marketplace. M Moser's award-winning design for OMD's new offices promotes "inclusivity" and illustrates how the physical setting can help to transform individual efforts into organizational achievements.

A Ribbon Runs Through It

A curved wall winds through the award-winning offices of Keppel Energy in Singapore, linking functions, stimulating interaction and energizing business.

M Moser's award-winning design for Keppel Energy's new offices in Singapore is inspirational and functional.

Fit for Purpose

The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) "is the financial industry-owned co-operative supplying secure, standardised messaging services and interface software to 7,650 financial institutions in over 200 countries. SWIFT's worldwide community includes banks, broker/dealers and investment managers, as well as their market infrastructures in payments, securities, treasury and trade."

Flexibility Adds Value

By aligning its space allocation strategy with cultural and business activities that command revenues, The British Council in Hong Kong, aided by interior architect M Moser Associates, is improving financial performance without sacrificing quality of service or image appeal.

- Expanded from the highlight in

Office Design Supports Business Vision

"People aren't speaking with each other enough – let's change that." That was a simple observation by the new COO. He wanted his staff to be sharing ideas and developing business opportunities together, and that could be happening much more effectively. He recognised that in such a rapid business environment, more fluid communications were critical for gaining a competitive edge.

- Expanded from an article by M Moser in

Clean Lines, Sharp Pencil

M Moser's design for Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu's new office in Shanghai illustrates that time travel and good design are not necessarily expensive.

Resourceful design is good design. That's the premise behind M Moser Associates' solution for the recently completed Shanghai office of global professional services organization Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (DTT) in the Bund Centre, right at the heart of Shanghai.

- Adapted from the published article in

Think Tank

Shanghai is catching up with Hong Kong in many more than one way. During the past few years, the quality and variety of design in China have made fantastic advances. An increasing number of multinational companies are appreciating the benefits of well-appointed workspace, and are inviting world-acclaimed professionals to design their offices. Armed with 22 years of experience in the field, M Moser Assoicates is regarded as one of the luminaries in workspace design throughout Asia. Recently, they were commissioned by Dentsu, Young and Rubicam (DYR) to create the company's new offices in Shanghai - the result is a work of startling inspiration.

- Adapted from the published article