Editor’s Note: We’ve added two photos from Google and a link to their official announcement since this article was first published.
It is no secret that Google’s Singapore office is an important part of their global network.
From a typical small office space located in Collyer Quay made up of 24 pioneering staff in 2007, the Google Singapore of today has become the company’s headquarters for the Asia Pacific region, with some 1,000 Googlers right here in Singapore, working on new products and projects across Asia.
Earlier this year in August, Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin even made a visit to Singapore, to learn of our history and to find answers to Singapore’s modern development.
A week after reporting the Google founders’ visit, we let loose a rumour that Google has since vacated their old office located at Asia Square, and taken up a swanky new campus in Mapletree Business City II.
Three months later, they are finally ready to show it to the world.
Google Officially Unveils Their New Campus
Today, Google invited us over for a short tour of their new place, with Minister of Trade and Industry S. Iswaran and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong being the guests-of-honour.
Being the Asia Pacific headquarters, Google spared no expense to have only the best environment for their Googlers.
Like many tech giants who set up shop in Singapore, their offices too have a very open concept.
The main stairwell cuts from the 3rd, all the way up to the 7th floors.
Beyond the reception, you will be greeted with a media wall which shows the best content from local creators.
High ceilings and open spaces are also aplenty.
Away from all the usual office desks, there are some quiet corners. In a presentation, Google also showed off rooms for their project teams which are inspired by kampungs, to foster better co-working between Googlers and the creation of a neighbourly community.
Too bad we didn’t get to see them.
Edit: Here’s a look at two of the kampung inspired rooms through some photos provided by Google.
Meeting rooms take inspiration from some notable places from around the region, with names such as Borobudur and Chocolate Hills.
Refreshment pit-stops are everywhere too, with cafes serving up freshly brewed coffee throughout the day (up until 4:30PM), snack bars full of food, and fridges stocked full of drinks.
To feed a group of a 1,000 strong Googlers, they have an entire floor just for the main cafeteria. It also comes with a local twist, and is inspired by hawker food.
Googlers can get their fix of flavours from every ethnic community in Singapore – everything from chicken rice, tandoori, prata, and much more are available.
To accommodate as many diners as possible, there’s even a second sub-level with more seats (and a cafe). Google also takes Fridays seriously, holding TGIF events at the cafeteria holding events, fun sessions, or even just sharing sessions.
Unfortunately, the tour today only covered the common areas – understandable, considering the many international media congregated here. That, along with the tight security due to PM Lee’s presence made moving around the office a tad restrictive.
You can bet that this will not be our last time here. We’ll definitely add in more photos if we have the opportunity to visit again.
Edit: Here’s Google’s full blog post regarding the launch of their new Singapore campus.