Best spaces to work: Essence Singapore

Essence is aspiring to play a larger role within GroupM, and that means expansion. So it’s not surprising that the Essence Singapore office, which began with four employees in 2013, recently had to relocate a new 14,000-square-foot space. 

Located on levels 10 and 11 at 158 Cecil Street, the new office is not exactly an architectural wonder or aesthetically stunning. But the design by Three-d Conceptwerke has a more practical ambition: give employees a space they’re happy to work in.

On entering the office, employees and visitors are met by a Happy or Not feedback machine that checks the happiness temperature of the place and at least in theory allows management to respond accordingly.

One feature aimed at keeping employees happy is a play room with a pool table, dartboard and foosball table that is reportedly the busiest place in the office. There’s a ‘chill zone’ called Nasi Padang common rood used for unwinding and brainstorming while the kitchen pantry boasts “exotic snacks”, drinks and *cough* alcohol, handy for monthly office meeting after-parties.

Note: 'Best spaces to work' merely highlights new and cool workspaces; it should not be interpreted as an endorsement of a company's overall work experience.