The three projects underscore Woods Bagot’s consistent design philosophy: to create total place design. By fostering community in Shanghai, balancing work and well-being in Singapore, and pioneering a sustainable future for banking in Hong Kong, the studio demonstrates a powerful and versatile ability to shape environments that enhance human experience.  

The Livat Shanghai complex, Ingka Centers’ largest investment in China, combines a 210,000 sqm Livat (meeting place) with five mixed-use office towers offering 65,000 sqm of workspace, including its self-office. The interior design for this project rethinks workplace communal areas through a Shanghainese-Scandinavian fusion. 

“The project was built on a shared vision for a great meeting place – a space that fosters trust, fulfills desires, and positively impacts the community. The outcome is a harmonious environment where Nordic sensibility finds its natural expression in Shanghai, demonstrating how purposeful Scandinavian design remains both accessible and enduring.” shared Principal Billy Ip.  

Central to this vision is a cascading, five-level oak staircase that acts as social infrastructure. More than just circulation, this dynamic amphitheater forms the project’s social nucleus, connecting people and activities across multiple levels. It is surrounded by flexible FIKA zones, libraries, and modular lounges.  

By transforming atriums into vibrant social plazas with warm materiality, the project creates a replicable model where functionality and urban vibrancy merge to genuinely enhance the daily work experience. 

Located in Marina Bay, the Macquarie Singapore office extension on Level 20 of Marina One is a dynamic community hub designed to balance work and well-being. Space fosters connection and fun, reflecting the corporate ethos. The design incorporates Singapore’s “Garden City” theme with lush planting, creating an intimate, garden-like atmosphere. 

Regional Workplace Interior Design Sector Leader Elena Ma notes, “We crafted comfortable upholstered nooks with terracotta quilted fabric, rattan finishes and warm light fixtures. The result is just what we hoped for: fun and work naturally coming together, reflecting the company’s genuine commitment to employee well-being.” This philosophy comes to life in the communal area – the social heart of the extension that blends work and leisure. It features a shared pantry, informal collaboration zones, and playful touches like a dual-purpose ping pong and pool table. The connecting staircase encourages interaction between floors, transforming the space into a vibrant hub for connections and collaboration across teams. 

Through this thoughtful and flexible design, the project transforms underutilized space into a purposeful environment that elevates the workplace experience by supporting performance, community, and joy. 

Woods Bagot transformed Hang Seng Bank Headquarters Main Branch, a Hong Kong landmark reimagined for the future of finance. Our work included the entrance & podium façade upgrade and interior design from B3 to L3. 

The design supports Hang Seng’s “Future Banking 2.0” vision with flexible spaces across three thematic zones: the dynamic ‘City Vibe’, serene ‘Bamboo Retreat’ lounge, and multifunctional ‘Harbour Flow’. 

Aligned with client’s 2030 net – zero commitment, we pioneered sustainable innovation by upcycling existing granite and glass, diverting 160,000 kg of waste, and integrating an Energized Panel that converts footsteps into electricity. 

As Regional Workplace Interiors Design Leader Isaac Chow, stated: “This project was about honoring a legacy while building for the future. We created a space where finance meets culture, and sustainability is woven into every detail – from the upcycled materials to the kinetic energy floors. It’s a testament to how banking can be both profoundly human and technologically advanced.”  

Media enquiries
Shirley Hao
Content and Communications Leader (China)