Workplace Living

What if workplace boundaries were smashed and employees could work in an environment resembling more of a resort than an office? Stephen lyon, heading m moser associates in singapore, asks, ‘what if indeed?’

- Wendy Kay

What if? It’s a simple question Stephen Lyon often asks, sometimes pondering on his own, other times collaborating with his M Moser team in Singapore. The ‘what ifs’ are what inspires the workplace design company to go beyond the imagination to create stunning and unique working environments across the world.

Then, of course, there’s the dissertation Stephen completed in 1996 for his master’s in project management. A paper that peeked into the future with extraordinary insight. Stephen’s hypothesis centred around the office of the future. His theory was that people would stay at home to work and go to the office to socialise. Considering it was the 90s, when working remotely wasn’t common practice, Stephen’s conclusion was bold. Not to mention right on target.

“Yeah, I don’t know why I came up with that idea, but many of the things I researched then have come to fruition,” he says. “People are finding other places to produce what they have to and offices are becoming more social environments.

“I look at my kids. They’re either at their desks in their rooms or sitting at my bar in my living room doing their homework. Then they may be lying on the sofa watching a movie on their iPad. They’re used to choosing the environment that suits them best for each activity. As long as they’re connected to the internet, they can work or relax anywhere.”