Conexus Studio | Inside a landmark Singapore office where maritime heritage informs every gesture, AET and MISC Group pair sustainable thinking with flexible design to redefine the contemporary workplace.
Conexus Studio | At the harbour-facing heights of Labrador Tower in Singapore, two maritime companies have translated the language of the sea into an architecture of work. After 15 years in their former premises, AET and MISC Group sought a joint office that would signal both continuity and change — rooted in seafaring history yet aligned with decarbonisation ambitions and a shifting global workforce.
Evoking tidal rhythms, the TV wall design and rippled floor textures initiates staff and visitors on a maritime voyage.
Designing the Journey
Conexus Studio approached the commission as narrative architecture. Rather than impose an overt theme, the designers distilled maritime references into subtle gestures: curves echoing hull forms, lighting recalling navigation beacons, and material palettes drawn from water, steel, and sky.
The reception sets the tone. A luminous ceiling feature suggests a lighthouse beam, while sculptural shelving—its profile reminiscent of a tanker’s hull — displays company accolades with museum-like restraint. Nearby, the boardroom’s gently contoured walls soften the formality of executive meetings, concealing advanced audiovisual systems behind meticulously crafted joinery.
Anchored in legacy, a dedicated history wall charts the rich maritime heritage of AET and MISC.
Throughout the workspace, circulation follows a calm, intuitive logic. A deep-blue carpet trail traces movement through focus zones and collaboration areas, while floor-to-ceiling glazing frames Singapore’s working harbour — a constant visual link to the companies’ global operations. The effect is composed rather than theatrical, with the maritime narrative present yet understated.
A spiral staircase forms the project’s architectural fulcrum. Linking the 26th and 27th floors, its sculpted geometry encourages informal encounters between departments, a reminder that innovation often happens between scheduled meetings. Social spaces nearby — pantries, lounges, and breakout terraces — continue the theme of gentle connection, prioritising conversation over spectacle.
Tucked behind the staircase, a quiet nook offers harbour views and an unhurried moment of peace.
At the centre of the plan sits an adaptable forum with tiered seating, able to host town halls, training sessions, or quiet morning coffee. It reflects a broader recalibration of corporate space: offices designed less for hierarchy and more for exchange.
Sustainability as Compass
If maritime history provides the narrative thread, sustainability is the project’s North Star. Low-emission materials and Green Mark–aligned finishes were selected throughout, while bespoke furnishings incorporate recycled plastics without aesthetic compromise. Occupancy sensors and daylight harvesting systems quietly reduce energy use, and workstations are positioned to maximise natural light and external views.
The staircase’s sweeping spiral shape mirrors a whirlpool, carrying the fluid water-inspired narrative through every floor.
The strategy is pragmatic rather than declarative. Sustainability here is embedded in detail — the specification of materials, the efficiency of systems, the longevity of joinery — mirroring the companies’ own efforts to modernise fleets and explore cleaner fuels.
The result is a office that feels both anchored and forward-looking. There is a calm confidence in its spaces: restrained forms, thoughtful proportions, and an emphasis on light and movement. It reflects a wider truth in contemporary workplace design — that culture is shaped as much by environment as by policy. Through thoughtful design, AET and MISC Group have built a place that navigates the future — guiding their people toward a horizon that is greener, more connected, and anchored firmly in meaning.
Conexus Studio is proud to have worked with AET and MISC on this transformative project. Their openness to exploring creative ideas was instrumental in fostering a truly collaborative and productive journey. Given the compressed timeline, intricate curves in the carpentry, and expansive two-story space, this project posed an exciting challenge for our design and build expertise. AET and MISC’s inspiring new headquarters stands as a benchmark for the high-quality, transformative workplaces we are excited to create with our clients.
Brendan Khor, Group Managing Director, Conexus Studio
Project: AET & MISC
Location: Singapore
Size: 42,175 sqft
Design Studio: Conexus Studio
Photo Credit: Kelvin Cuff and Conexus Studio
Website: conexus.sg
