Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, most of us have spent our days working from home.
While working from home was welcomed by many at first, the monotony of it has quickly become unbearable for some.
However, working at traditional working spaces have also become less feasible. For example, public libraries now have a 30-minute time slot for visitors in view of the current situation.
Cafes also have lower capacity due to social distancing measures, which might render it less feasible for someone to spend a day working there.
This has led to the popping up of a whole plethora of new and creative working spaces around Singapore.
Here are five unconventional places you can work remotely from, and escape the dreariness of working from home:
1. SWITCH Work Booth
Fancy working in your own personal booth in a shopping mall? The Switch work booths allow you to do just that.
Owned and operated by REinvent, Asia’s first PropTech Innovation Studio, Switch offers a pure on-demand, pay-per-minute service.
The Switch work booths can be found in nine locations islandwide, such as Waterway Point in Punggol and The Centrepoint at Orchard, with prices starting from S$ 3.60 per hour.
Besides the work booths, the platform also has over 2,000 workspace desks across 25 different locations in suburban and downtown areas of Singapore.
Simply download the Switch app, go to any Switch booth or its co-working partners such as JustCo, and check in using the application.
Users will be charged by the minute, with a minimum charge of S$ 1.
Booths come fitted with a table, chairs, Wi-Fi, power sockets and other amenities. Users can also choose between the one-seater booth to work alone in, or the four-seater ones to work with companions.
If you are looking for an affordable and novel place to work in, the Switch booths definitely make the cut. However, privacy could be an issue, depending on which part of the mall the booth is placed at.
2. Golden Village Gold Class Lounge
If you are bored of working from home, you can now choose to work from a cinema lounge instead.
Entertainment venues have been pivoting quickly and furiously due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Even though cinemas have been allowed to operate for a few months now, the decreased capacity might not be enough to keep Golden Village (GV) afloat.
To overcome this, the cinema exhibitor launched its latest step in its innovation journey: Z.E.S.T. @ Gold Class, which is a first-of-its-kind work-from-lounge concept.
This new concept allows patrons to enjoy a conducive space to work or study in without the long-term commitment required by conventional co-working spaces, or the time limitations that are often in place at local cafes.
Besides having a conducive space to work in, Z.E.S.T patrons can also recharge themselves with Golden Village’s signature Zen Zone programme.
Perks of the programme include enjoying a quick power nap on Gold Class’ recliners between 12pm and 1:30pm, or 2pm and 3:30pm when you top up S$ 5.
Patrons will also be given free popcorn, a complimentary cup of tea or coffee, as well as movie discount vouchers.
From now until December 31, GV is offering a special introductory price of S$ 15 for a six-hour access to the co-working space.
3. Jewel Changi Airport
Even though leisure travel is not permitted yet, you still have a reason to head on down to Changi Airport.
Located within the highly lauded Jewel Changi Airport, the Changi Lounge offers an exclusive and comfortable remote working environment.
Patrons can enjoy drinks and snacks, free Wi-Fi, ample seating and power points.
Two hours of lounge usage will set you back by S$ 15, or you can choose to book a meeting room for S$ 80 an hour.
4. Hotels
Before the pandemic happened, we would never have expected to book a hotel room to spend the day working there.
Now, many hotels in Singapore are offering various work-from-home packages. Options include working from the hotel lobby and shared spaces within the hotel, or a private room to yourself.
At the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, patrons can choose from indoor or outdoor spaces to work at. Perched along the Singapore River, patrons can enjoy a full day of tranquility while being surrounded by foliage.
For S$ 16 a day, you can enjoy complimentary beverages, high speed internet, and printing services.
Privacy lovers also have options available for them as well. The One of a Kind Studio (single occupancy only) at lyf Funan is priced at around S$ 70, and guests can use the room from 9am to 7pm.
Other options include Hotel G’s Hustle and Grind Package and one of Singapore’s most iconic properties Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel.
5. Teo Heng KTV Studio
Founded in 1989, Teo Heng KTV Studio has been around for over 30 years.
The karaoke venue is a favourite amongst Singaporeans, and is known for its cheap rates and family-friendly services.
However, Teo Heng has been closed for seven months now, since the government released the advisory in March for karaoke outlets and other entertainment venues to close as part of COVID-19 safety measures.
Despite the government announcing a pilot reopening programme for nightlife businesses recently, Teo Heng will not be applying for it.
Instead, it is is considering turning its existing outlets to working and studying spaces with free Wi-Fi.
Though the plans are not set in stone yet, it is likely that you can soon work from what used to be a karaoke studio.
Switch Up Your Workspace
Working from home is likely to persist for even longer than ever, and looking for alternative working spaces might help to increase productivity and efficiency.
Occasionally, a change in environment is also important in preventing burn out.
As we transit into pandemic recovery, the question about the future of work is sure to be on the top of everyone’s minds.
Many entertainment venues are taking this opportunity to pivot into co-working spaces to keep their businesses afloat, while serving a larger market need at the same time.
Featured Image Credit: Singapore Motherhood
