Writer: Suwit Wongrujirawanich
An ideal place to get your job
done? On a couch, in your slippers, a bowl of cornflakes in hands and laptop on
your lap? Probably not. A report in Harvard Business Review conducted by
Ben Waber, Jennifer and Greg Lindsay has shown that a productive space is often
related to a common ground where different people meet and ideas are freely
exchanged, rather than a quiet corner in your apartment. Some of these creative
spaces in and around Bangkok draw on these elements to bring about a work place
where employees are (almost) always happy to arrive at the office:
Rabbit Digital Group - Welcome to the Burrow, a working space that
sourced its concept from the manifold structures of a rabbit hole. Designed by
MUN Architects, this unusual office located in a former warehouse in
Bantadthong is a place where the employees can unleash their own style and
sense. It still retains the old container facades with natural light coming
from the glass roofs. Plants abound in the common area, giving a fresh ambiance
to the place, and a big slide board connects the upper and lower floor. Couches
line “the Cat Walk” corridor
as the place generally favours open area where people can exchange limitless
ideas and imagination.
DTAC - DTAC wants to become the second home to its
employees. DTAC House, designed by Hassell Studio, is an interchangable area of work and play, which goes in line with the company’s philosophy of “Play
and Learn”. The telecom giant headquarter also houses a fitness
center, an aerobic room, yoga space, a karaoke room etc. Attention, new mums:
you are allowed to bring your kids to work! There is the mother room where you
can have your breastmilk pumped, and the the Play Room where your kids can hang
out for the day. The walls of the office area are glass panels instead of dull
concrete, creating an active and airy ambiance for those at work - and here
employees can choose to bring their personal laptop to work instead of typing
away on the boring corporate-owned!
DBALP - Transformed from a former warehouse near Klong San, Duangrit Bunnag Architect Limited (DBALP) or the Jam Factory was founded by the same Duangrit Bunnag who styled Candide Books, The Never Ending Summer Restaurant, Library Cafe and Any Room furniture house. DBALP brings the vibes back to the sunset industrial quarter, connecting history, culture and life of the past with the present and waking the area from its decades long slumber. Situated right on the bank of the Chao Phraya River, the building is fronted by a green yard and a century old Banyan tree - a perfectly calm place with enough shades for employees to work in a relaxed atmosphere. DBALP also rents out its space for hip events such as the Knack Market, Art and Craft fairs, Street Food gatherings and Siamese Twins exhibition by Freak Show, to say the least.