Iron Interior Space and Exhibition Design · 2025
Sime Darby Kia Office
by Stephy Teng
- A' Design Award 2025 Iron Winner in Interior Space and Exhibition Design
- Awarded April 15, 2025
- CLIENT: Star Interior Design Limited Company
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 9,200
- Verification code 85FC46443E · Verify this award
About Sime Darby Kia Office
Sime Darby Kia is an office interior in Taiwan. The design covers 859.5 square meters on two floors, with sales on one floor and administration on the other. Each floor has a pantry and a window-side lounge with seating for six to eight people, used for breaks and informal meetings. Low partitions replace standard dividers to support open communication between six departments. Glass partitions bring natural light into offices and meeting rooms. A meeting room for 34 people has adjustable partitions. Wood tones and white finishes reflect the company identity.
Stephy Teng's Sime Darby Kia Office demonstrates accomplished spatial design rooted in the enduring principles of contemporary minimalism, a design philosophy that emerged from mid-twentieth-century Scandinavian functionalism and Japanese aesthetic restraint, gaining renewed prominence in twenty-first-century corporate environments seeking to balance efficiency with human-centered environmental quality. The interior evidences sophisticated understanding of proportion and material specification, particularly in the selection and arrangement of the central dining ensemble, where the commanding elongated table in richly-toned espresso wood establishes both literal and metaphorical gathering space, its substantial presence suggesting permanence, collaboration, and shared purpose within the organizational culture. The designer's chromatic restraint—limiting the palette to warm neutrals, cool grays, pale blondes, and strategic metallic accents—creates an environment of visual tranquility that supports concentration and conversation without sensory distraction, a compositional strategy that recalls the spatial philosophies of Scandinavian designers who understood material simplicity as enabling rather than limiting human experience. Technical merit emerges in the thoughtful orchestration of illumination: recessed ceiling fixtures provide functional ambient light while concealed linear strips beneath cabinetry introduce warmth and vertical emphasis, the layered lighting strategy creating spatial depth and surface articulation that would otherwise risk flatness given the minimal color variation. The integration of floor-to-ceiling glazing along the primary wall transforms the urban prospect into a dynamic compositional element, introducing atmospheric perspective through the misty high-rise vista while flooding the interior with natural luminosity that shifts throughout the day, connecting interior occupation to temporal and meteorological rhythms beyond the building envelope. The selection of molded shell seating in pale tones provides ergonomic support through organically sculpted forms while their bentwood legs introduce warmth and craft tradition into an otherwise contemporary material vocabulary, suggesting the designer's awareness of precedent and continuity within furniture design history. The service zone cabinetry in pale blonde timber with horizontal grain figuring demonstrates material honesty and constructional clarity, the visible wood patterns animating otherwise planar surfaces while maintaining the overall tonal restraint, while brushed stainless appliances introduce functional necessity without visual disruption, their metallic sheen providing textural counterpoint to surrounding matte and wood surfaces. This interior environment invites consideration of how contemporary workspace design negotiates between corporate efficiency and human psychological needs, between minimalist formal discipline and sensory warmth, between transparency and enclosure, and between timeless restraint and contemporary material innovation, offering occupants a setting that honors both functional demands and experiential quality.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The office spans two floors: one for sales and the other for administrative functions. Each floor has a dedicated pantry with essential appliances, window-side lounging areas, and seating for 6-8 people, serving as both relaxation and informal meeting spaces to encourage team interaction. Lower partitions replace typical 140-150 cm dividers, fostering open communication. Wood grain and white finishes reflect the company's identity. A 34-person meeting room with high-speed connectivity and adjustable partitions ensures flexibility and functionality.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The site is 859.5 square meters and consists of two floors. There are offices, conference rooms, manager's rooms, nursing rooms, lounge areas, and pantries. The designer emphasized the fluid connection between different functional areas. The office space is divided into two floors. Each floor is designed with a dedicated pantry and discussion area to promote teamwork among the six departments. Glass partitions were installed in the meeting rooms and office to ensure that natural light is maximized.
- Tags
- Eco-friendly, natural light, wood grain, openness, teamwork.
- Production Technology
- The primary materials used include system cabinets, woodwork, light steel frames, glass, and carpet, all of which meet fire and flame resistance standards. Low-formaldehyde materials ensure safety and environmental friendliness. The office features the company's corporate identity colors, combining wood tones and white to create a warm and bright atmosphere. Specific areas such as the pantries and meeting rooms are covered with gradient carpets, adding a layer. The gradient color scheme, combined with the wood tones and bright style, injects vitality into the office space.
- Design Challenge
- With the brand planning to expand in Taiwan over the next decade, the project must account for potential increases in workforce requirements. The designer had to creatively plan within the limited space to ensure that the office meets current needs while maintaining sufficient flexibility for future growth. Furthermore, to achieve optimal work efficiency and employee satisfaction, the designer carefully planned the specific locations and functions of each department to balance 'maintaining openness' and 'facilitating smooth communication.'
- Project Duration
- The project finished in February 2024 in Taiwan.
- Operation Flow
- The new design has created a more comfortable and inviting work environment, significantly enhancing employee satisfaction compared to the previous open-plan layout. The upgraded natural lighting and ventilation conditions, in particular, have been highly praised. Natural light not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the office but also boosts work efficiency and overall atmosphere. The client also noted that the new office space contributes to a better company image, providing a more professional appearance during client and partner visits.
- Research
- To align with the brand's vision, the designer blended the company's culture with international trends, carefully planning for six departments. The initial design focused on wood textures and light tones to define the atmosphere. However, a deeper understanding of the company culture was key to meeting users' needs. The open layout fosters close collaboration, reflecting core business values. Employees engage in ongoing exchanges in an environment filled with natural light and wood textures. The lighting design prioritizes natural light, with indirect lighting enhancing openness and brightness.
- Inspiration
- Sime Darby, originally from the UK and later expanding into a Malaysian enterprise, is now re-entering the Taiwanese market. The brand seeks an office design that balances international appeal with Taiwanese cultural elements. After understanding the company's structure, the designer carefully planned the space to accommodate six departments, ensuring functionality for all users. With wooden tones and a bright style, the office fosters a fresh atmosphere while emphasizing team collaboration, interaction, and respect for each department's workspace.
- Image Credits
- Star Interior Design Limited Company