An award-winning workplace hub that transforms an existing space into a collaborative environment designed to encourage connection, creativity, and new ways of working.

Client: Sentosa Development Corporation

Main Contractor: Aspacio Design Associates

Sector: Institutional

Location: Sentosa, Singapore

The Discovery Den Workplace Hub at Sentosa represents a considered approach to workplace design, transforming an existing space into a flexible and engaging environment that supports collaboration, interaction, and employee engagement. Recognised under the SG Mark Spatial Design category, the project demonstrates how thoughtful design and adaptive reuse can create workplaces that respond to changing organisational needs while making effective use of existing spaces.

The project involved the conversion of a former kitchen space into a multi-functional workplace hub comprising areas for meetings, informal gatherings, cultural activities, and focused work. Drawing inspiration from Sentosa’s identity, the design incorporates elements that reflect the island’s character while establishing a contemporary workplace environment centred around connection and collaboration.

Rather than treating the project simply as an interior transformation, the development required careful consideration of how design, functionality, cost, and operational requirements could work together within an existing space. We were appointed as the Consultant Quantity Surveyor to provide quantity surveying, cost management, and contract administration services throughout the project lifecycle. Our role extended beyond cost estimation to include ongoing commercial assessment, procurement support, cost monitoring, variation evaluation, and contractual advice.

Transforming an existing space into an award-winning workplace environment required a careful balance between design ambitions, technical requirements, functionality, and commercial considerations. With distinctive design elements and specialised workplace requirements incorporated into the project, cost planning played an important role in assessing design options and understanding their financial implications. Early cost assessments helped establish a clearer basis for decision-making while allowing the project team to consider the relationship between design intent, construction requirements, and available resources.

As the design developed, we provided ongoing cost advice and commercial reviews to help monitor changes and maintain alignment with the project’s requirements. This included assessing the financial impact of design developments and supporting the client and project team in making informed decisions.

The approach reflected the broader role of the quantity surveyor in supporting design development while maintaining financial discipline. Cost management was treated as an ongoing process rather than a one-off exercise, with regular reviews helping stakeholders understand the commercial implications of project decisions.

Effective cost management required close coordination between the client, consultants, contractor, and other project stakeholders. Our role involved monitoring project costs and identifying potential financial implications arising from design changes, evolving requirements, and construction activities. Where potential cost increases or changes emerged, commercial assessment helped provide the project team with a clearer understanding of the available options and their implications.

This approach enabled design decisions to be considered alongside cost and contractual requirements, supporting greater transparency throughout the development and construction process. The project also required careful administration of changes during construction. Variations and additional requirements were reviewed and assessed to ensure that changes were properly documented, valued, and managed in accordance with the relevant contractual provisions.

The Discovery Den demonstrates the potential of adaptive reuse to create meaningful workplace environments without relying solely on new construction. By converting an existing space into a multi-functional workplace hub, the project introduced a new purpose to an underutilised environment while responding to the evolving needs of the organisation.

The workplace was designed to accommodate different activities, from collaborative discussions and team gatherings to informal interactions and individual focused work. Adaptable layouts and multi-purpose areas allow the space to support different patterns of use while creating a more connected workplace experience.

The design also reflects a growing emphasis on making better use of existing spaces. By extending the usefulness of an existing environment and incorporating design solutions that improve functionality, the project demonstrates how workplace transformation can combine practical requirements with thoughtful spatial planning.

Our team provided comprehensive quantity surveying and commercial consultancy services throughout the project lifecycle, working closely with the client, consultants, and contractor to support cost control and effective project delivery.

Our responsibilities included monitoring project costs, providing commercial advice, supporting procurement activities, administering contractual matters, and assessing changes throughout the project.

Our services included:

Quantity surveying

Cost planning and cost management

Cost estimation and reporting

Procurement and tender support

Contract administration

Variation assessment and valuation

Commercial advisory services

During construction, effective commercial management remained important as the project moved from design development into implementation. Progress valuations and payment assessments required ongoing review of the works undertaken, while variations and changes needed to be evaluated against the relevant contractual requirements. The QS role therefore provided an important link between physical progress on site and the financial position of the project.

The project approach was aligned with the wider responsibilities expected of a consultant quantity surveyor, including monitoring budgets, tracking changes, providing cost information, assessing variations, and advising the Employer on contractual and payment matters. Where potential cost overruns, design changes, or programme-related impacts arise, the QS is expected to bring these matters to the Employer’s attention and recommend appropriate mitigation measures.

For Discovery Den, this commercial oversight supported a structured approach to managing design development and construction requirements while keeping financial considerations visible throughout the project.

As a workplace project with distinctive design requirements, effective commercial management was essential to balancing creativity, functionality, and budget considerations. Through detailed cost planning, tender analysis, budget monitoring, payment assessment, and variation evaluation, we supported the project team in understanding the financial implications of key decisions. This provided greater cost visibility as the project progressed and helped stakeholders assess options against the project’s objectives.

Our contract administration role also supported the proper management of changes during construction. Variations were reviewed and valued based on the relevant contractual requirements, while progress assessments provided a structured basis for payment recommendations. The wider QS scope for projects of this nature includes establishing procedures for progress valuations, assessing completed works, recommending appropriate payments, maintaining financial records, and providing advice on the Employer’s contractual rights and obligations.

By bringing together technical quantity surveying expertise and practical commercial advice, our role helped create a clearer connection between design ambition and financial control.

The completed Discovery Den at Sentosa demonstrates how an existing space can be transformed into an engaging workplace environment through purposeful design, adaptive reuse, and considered planning. Recognised under the SG Mark Spatial Design category, the project reflects the importance of creating workplace environments that encourage collaboration, creativity, and connection while responding to changing organisational needs.

The project also illustrates the value of integrating commercial considerations into the design and delivery process. From cost planning and procurement through construction-stage administration and variation assessment, effective cost management helped support the realisation of the project’s design objectives while maintaining financial oversight. Through close collaboration among the client, consultants, contractor, and project team, Discovery Den demonstrates how thoughtful workplace design and disciplined commercial management can work together to create a functional and engaging environment that delivers lasting value.