A home away from home is the standard for the migrant worker dormitory of the future, which is why local consulting firm Agency produced a playbook of principles, zonings, and interior designs that included furniture considerations after being tasked by Dormitory Association Singapore to update the living spaces of the men who build our city.
The initiative has two goals: foster in the workers a sense of belonging and community, and enable them to develop a sense of ownership of their accommodations so that they’d be more amenable to maintaining them. The combination would in turn reduce cleaning costs and benefit dormitory operators.
“A conducive living environment for migrant workers not only keeps things sustainable, but also supports the long-term growth of Singapore,” says Peter Overy, who moved to our shores from the UK in 2009 and co-founded Agency in 2016. The literal naming convention, he explains, is multilayered. “We are an agency, but our passion is unlocking Singapore’s only natural resource—its people and their ingenuity. We are about creating agency, so less talking and more doing.”
In advancing the project, a prototype was built and migrant workers were invited to reside in it for a month. Three types of enhancements were exacted for the model. First, a storage system—which Overy emphasises is a non-negotiable—that includes lockers, pegboards, and personal wardrobes.
Second, a clear distinction between private and shared spaces. Storage spaces also serve as bed dividers and a dining area encourages communal living without invading occupant’s private spaces.
“Boundaries are crucial for collective well-being when eight or more people share a room.”
Peter Overy on the urgent need to update the living spaces of migrant workers
Third, a dormitory restructure that lends homeliness. This equation, explains Overy, does not have a straightforward formula because it is the sum of many factors. For instance, hanging up a clock that displays the time back home can make workers feel closer to their families. A sound-insulated corner that allows them to make calls privately without having to go downstairs also helps.
Agency takes pride in being a human-centred design practice and operates with a straightforward approach. When partnering with organisations, it first identifies the elements that are stumbling blocks to their creation of impact, then brings them up with key stakeholders to gauge their appetite for change. “If sufficient appetite exists, we work with them to nullify the organisational challenges,” says Overy.
Given that the core principles of humancentred design—empathy, ideation, and iteration—have become deeply integrated into various industries worldwide, Agency is striving to propel Singapore forward as a distinguished human-centred innovator. “We believe we’re not far from achieving this, and we’re humbled and honoured to play our part in nurturing the next 50 years of Singapore’s resilience,” he adds.
In his experience, Singapore’s design thinking and innovation strategy hold a commendable position internationally, characterised by a harmonious blend of cultural richness, technological prowess and forward-thinking policies.
But there is always room for improvement, like reinforcing cross-disciplinary collaboration and providing platforms for international knowledge exchange. A design ecosystem that is accessible to diverse voices would be a good start.
“This is why awards such as SG Mark are more than just awards. They are a benchmark of design quality and elevate the best designs in business that bring tangible change into the everyday lives of communities.”
Style director: Chia Wei Choong
Videographer: Alicia Chong
Photographer: Mun Kong
Photographer’s assistant: Renjie Teo
Makeup: Keith Bryant Lee using Shiseido
Hair: Aung Apichai
