The former Tampines Regional Library on Tampines Avenue 7 has been transformed into a secure satellite office under the Ministry of Defence’s “work-near-home” scheme. This facility, one of four, provides shared working spaces exclusively for Mindef and Singapore Armed Forces employees. These remote facilities are equipped with the necessary security measures to ensure the safety of the networks and systems that employees need to access for their sensitive work.
The M-Works scheme, which started as a trial in April 2021 at the former Spring Singapore building and Chong Pang Camp, has since expanded to two sites, including the Defence Technology Tower B in Depot Road and the Tampines Regional Library. The four facilities together hold up to 400 people. On average, the usage rate for the four sites is around 75%, with the Defence Technology Tower B being the most popular, with an average rate of between 80% and 90%.
The M-Works initiative is designed to cater to the needs of employees who prefer working near their homes. It aims to reduce commuting time and provides hot-desking spaces for staff who seek a conducive space to work after attending meetings in nearby areas. The Tampines Regional Library facility, strategically located in the east, is an excellent option for those who wish to work in this part of Singapore or complement work-near-home spots located in the central and northern regions.
The library opened in 1994 and was the country’s first regional library, with a floor area of around 6,000 sqm. It closed its doors in June 2017 and moved to its current location at Our Tampines Hub, which spans a floor area of 10,900 sqm.
The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) said that after the library was returned to the state in January 2018, several government agencies studied and explored potential uses for the site before it was allocated to Mindef in October 2021. Mindef signed a 10-year lease that began in 2022 and will end in 2032. The facility’s refurbishment commenced in 2022, transforming open areas into offices, collaborative spaces, and meeting rooms. The newly renovated facility opened in October 2023.
The Tampines satellite office can seat about 100 people and offers individual workstations, quiet pods designed for calls, four-seat work booths, enclosed discussion rooms, enclosed meeting rooms for group discussions and training sessions that can fit groups of 10 to 20 people, and large tables for group discussions. The workspace is configurable, with collapsible walls separating selected meeting and discussion rooms and moveable furniture.
Mindef and SAF employees can book seats or rooms for work through a dedicated website for anywhere between half an hour and an entire day. The ease of use and convenience appeal to many, including Ms. Kelly Sim, an assistant director at Mindef’s corporate finance management branch. As the commute to her office takes over an hour via public transport, she works from the Tampines facility once or twice a week. This reduces her commuting time, enabling her to spend more time with her kids.
Lieutenant-Colonel Adam Lim, Deputy Director of People Operations at Mindef, emphasized that the M-Works initiative, especially the work-near-home arrangement, empowers employees with flexibility. He noted that the pandemic’s circuit breaker measures have led to a shift towards flexible work arrangements, particularly for those in administrative jobs. This arrangement could improve productivity, reduce commuting time, and ensure that workplace relations and team collaboration are not compromised with such flexi-work practices.
Mindef’s lease at the former Spring Singapore building will end in March 2027, while Chong Pang Camp and Defence Technology Tower B sit on Mindef-owned land. The ministry observes a high demand for work-near-home facilities. It examines factors, such as usage rates and the general distribution of employees’ homes, before considering the launch of additional sites.
