James Dyson Explains How Dyson Designed Its New Singapore HQ | WSJ Open Office

Dyson's Singapore Headquarters: Reimagining St. James Power Station

Key Concepts:

• Reversible Design: Architectural additions that can be removed without damaging the original structure.
• Building within a Building: Constructing new structural elements independent of the existing building's framework.
• Form Follows Function: Design principle where the shape of an object should be primarily based upon its intended function or purpose.
• Biophilia: Incorporating natural elements into the built environment to enhance well-being.
• Acoustic Management: Strategies to control and mitigate sound within a space.

Overview

The video explores Dyson's renovation of the St. James Power Station in Singapore, transforming it into their global headquarters. The project emphasizes preserving the building's historical significance while creating a modern, inspiring workspace. The design prioritizes open space, collaboration, and employee well-being, all while adhering to strict guidelines for national monuments.

Historical Context and Preservation

• St. James Power Station: Originally built nearly 100 years ago to provide electricity for Singapore. Later served as a nightclub and other venues. Designated as a national monument in 2009.
• Reversible Design Mandate: Due to the building's status, all additions had to be reversible, ensuring the original structure remains intact for future generations.
• "Building within a Building": A new structural system and foundation were built to support new floor slabs, independent of the original building's structure. This allowed for modern amenities without altering the historical fabric.
• Highlighting Old and New: The design intentionally differentiates between the original riveted beams and steel girders and the new white columns, showcasing the building's dual character.

Architectural Transformation

• Original Structure: St. James was divided into the boiler house, turbine hall, and switch gear house.
• Boiler House and Turbine Hall: Transformed into open-plan office space and social areas, including a cafe and auditorium.
• Switch Gear House: Converted into labs due to its pre-existing divisions.
• Atrium: The former turbine hall is now a central atrium featuring a massive helical staircase.
• Helical Staircase: Designed with form following function, the staircase has drawn parallels to Dyson products like drill bits and cyclonic separators. It symbolizes the company's design ethos and the idea that functional objects can be beautiful.
  • "[Anna] What I love is that people have drawn a lot of parallels to the stair with things that are related to our products."
  • "[Anna] When you look at it straight on, it has the look of a drill bit."
• Campus Quad Inspiration: The atrium's design was inspired by a campus quad, aiming to create a central community hub.

Materiality and Ambiance

• Concrete vs. Timber: Concrete flooring is used in main thoroughfares, while timber flooring is used in areas designed for lingering, creating a sense of intimacy.
• Open Space and Height: The design emphasizes open space and height to create a liberating feeling and encourage creativity.
  • "You're not limited by a ceiling here, you can dream here."
• Acoustic Management: Challenges posed by the open nature of the building were addressed through hidden soundproofing measures.
  • Solutions: Walls as buffers, ceiling baffles, micro-perforations in timber paneling, and trees.
• Biophilia: Trees were incorporated to provide a sense of softness and well-being, while also contributing to acoustic control.
  • "When you look up here, what they provide is a sense of softness, is a sense of biophilia, which helps with wellbeing."

Unique Spaces

• Auditorium: Located within the atrium, the auditorium is designed for large-scale events and is adjacent to the cafe.
• Dyson Cafe: A vibrant and lively space with micro-perforated timber baffles and paneling for acoustic absorption.
• The Chimney: The former chimney, added in the 1950s, has been transformed into a unique dining room.
  • Minimalist Design: Acoustic paneling is used sparingly to preserve the beauty of the brickwork. Lighting is discreetly hidden.
  • "[James] I'd love to have fitted more tables in the chimney, but there's only room for one. So it's first come, first served."

Dyson's Presence in Singapore

• Expansion: Dyson has expanded its presence in Singapore beyond St. James, with approximately 2000 employees across multiple locations.
• Strategic Location: Singapore is seen as a technology hub with a strong engineering talent pool and a strategic location in Asia.
  • "[James] Well, Singapore is a wonderful place for people like us to be... it's a sort of the center of Asia, so it's a very good springboard for us."
• Shift to Singaporean Company: The move to Singapore marks a shift from an English company to a Singaporean one.

Conclusion

Dyson's headquarters in Singapore represents a successful blend of historical preservation and modern design. By reimagining the St. James Power Station, Dyson has created an inspiring workspace that fosters collaboration, innovation, and employee well-being. The project demonstrates a commitment to respecting the past while embracing the future, solidifying Dyson's position as a global technology leader.