Australian firm Geyer was recently awarded Best Office Interior, Singapore, at the Asia Pacific Property Awards 2011 for the recently completed American Express environments at Marina Bay Financial Centre and Mapletree Business City.

Geyer designed the American Express Sydney Headquarters in 2005 and was invited to work with the organisation in Singapore to assist with the consolidation of three existing offices into two new locations.

The firm’s aim in consolidating American Express was to increase the flexibility and responsiveness of its portfolio and create a "1AXP" environment available to all staff and company visitors.

Both locations drive further development of the American Express ‘Bluework’ program, which aims to combine property, human resources and technology to achieve a workplace that is more responsive to the demands of workers.

The 75,000 square feet Mapletree Business City (MBC) suburban office and 25,000 square feet Marina Bay Financial Centre (MBFC) city hub have reduced the organisation's footprint by 20 percent, but space is better optimised and is able to accommodate a much higher headcount as Bluework flexible workers gradually increase from the move-in number of 27% of eligible staff.

Geyer was also engaged to take a major role in driving the Communication and Education Program in partnership with Bluework and Change advisers in the US and HR locally.

Details on other Australian success at the Asia Pacific Property Awards were recently published on Architecture & Design.