The Frontiers Woman

Ms.ApurviSheththrives on challenges and revels in ambiguity with thelie where the ground is not even

The reception area at the Diageo headquarter in Singapore clearly belongs in a boutique hotel. The reception desk is a tall escritoire that hides nothing; you can see its legs as well as those of anyone standing behind it. It faces a long cocktail table on the other side of the the reception desk is a neon sign that reads “Celebrating Life Every Day Everywhere” – in case the Diageo goal is not clear to anyone who saunters in – and on the opposite wall are bottles of Diageo liquors massed in specially lit recessed shelves.

In front of the reception desk are two tablets where visitors can leave their particulars in exchange for a pass that will allow them inside – although there really is no barrier, just a pair of permanently parted heavy drapes indicating the passage to what is beyond.

This foyer is the threshold.

Standing behind the desk is a young woman. She cheerily greets visitors as she receives deliveries from messengers, gliding from the desk to nudge a frozen keyboard back to life, and then to the table opposite to sign a delivery slip.

As far as modern hubs of efficiency and productivity go, Diageo’s office is up there with the best of them. As APAC headquarter, it houses 174 employees in flexible spaces that total 17,000 square feet. Although not in the whimsical Pee-wee Herman style of cheery colors and toy-like furniture, it has a sense of fun all its own.