Cave of Charlton

A Cosy and Tasteful Modern Office Design in Singapore

Awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in 2018, the Cave of Charlton is a 1700sqft office space located in Northern Singapore. Designed by Gary Ong, this office aims to create a placid yet rigid workspace where staff can receive guests in either a formal or informal way, providing comfort and warm hospitality like home.

The inspiration for the design came from the concept of an Urban Forest, where a forest is created within a modern industrial building. This idea evolved into clean lines, forms, and neutral color palettes, incorporating various materials such as timber, glass, ceramic tiles, and leather to showcase the impact of different materials on the mood of the interior.

The office is set up in a family-like environment, allowing staff to work and improve their relationships with the option to greet customers formally or informally. The space features comfortable discussion areas, formal meeting rooms, as well as informal discussion areas and a kitchen for staff to prepare their meals.

One of the challenges faced during the design process was the location of the office within a busy industrial building. The design team met with various building material suppliers to discuss how to customize and display the materials neatly, ensuring they were easily accessible without compromising the desired mood of the space.

The Cave of Charlton project started in June 2016 and was completed in February 2017. It showcases the harmonious combination of different materials, resulting in a refined urban interior that guests can explore and experience. For the staff, it serves as a second home, providing a comfortable and productive work environment.

With its unique design and focus on well-being and productivity, the Cave of Charlton demonstrates the creativity and resourcefulness of Gary Ong's design approach. It exemplifies how incorporating best practices in art, science, design, and technology can contribute to quality of life improvements, making the world a better place.