A black sofa provides a visual counterpoint to the room’s vertical and horizontal lines.

Offices should no longer be the staid, no-fun zones they have been thought to be. Seriousness in terms of color, décor, and atmosphere doesn’t necessarily translate to a productive workload. In fact, IT giants (Google and Amazon, among others) have noted that spaces of bold colors and organic shapes lift the pressure off among their employees, encourage them to think out of the box (because they are literally out of the box) and make them more eager to contribute their ideas and feel more united to the lofty visions of their company.

Turning the office into an adult playground makes sense, but making it look like a bar? Founding partners of Brand WorX—an across-the-line PR and advertising agency—Jav Villaruel and Nikky Nicandro thought, “Why not?” That’s why when they felt compelled to transfer to a bigger office (three times larger to what they had previously occupied), they pulled all the stops in making the 200 sq.m. space feel like an upscale bar with chill-out music and overflowing cocktail drinks.

The move, which took place a couple of months back, was propelled by the company’s growth. From a boutique agency of about two people six years ago, Brand WorX has become a powerhouse of creative individuals working on an array of accounts. “We were looking for an environment that will inspire creativity among the team,” says Jav.

To realize their vision of an office-cum-lounge bar, Jav and Nikky consulted with interior designer Pixie Olivares to do the job. Pixie is no stranger to the company; aside from being friends with the two, she also designed their first office, working with the bold colors of red and black as the overarching theme. Working with a bigger cut of space, Pixie this time used strong graphic elements, trendy colors, and classically shaped furniture. She tempered the sleek modern lines with shots of texture (shrug, velvet and leather) and globular lighting fixtures that upped the stylish quotient of the office. “It was easy to work with Pixie,” mentions Nikky. “Having designed our previous office, she already knows our interests in terms of color, look and furniture.”

Despite the evident lounge look, the space still conveys that it is an environment for work with the island counter of work stations at the center of the space. Rather than divided by cubicles, staff members are cozy within arm’s reach, separated only by frosted glass (the countertop, adding to the chic factor, is granite). They are, however, free to move around with their laptops and sit in any of the bar stools or sofas. The offices of Jav and Nikki, on the other hand, are streamlined affairs of metal desks and ergonomic chairs, separated only from the main area with a sheet of tempered glass. If they need to have some privacy, they only need to pull a purple velvet curtain as instant divider.

For some intense level of zoning out, a Zen space has been accommodated into the master plan, characterized by panels of warm wood, white curtains, a bed of pebbles from where a row of scented candles burn.  A coffee table reveals a spherical wire vase with a shoot of long leaf. This is where the staff can quietly take a nap or simply blank their mind before mulling over a concept for an advertising project.

Fueled by a sense of experimentation and wild creative outburst, Jav and Nikky say that realizing the office concept was a move in the right direction. Their clients who attended their office warming took note of its refreshing atmosphere and remarked that the design idea (as evoked by the still-filled red wine and vodka bottles, cocktail glasses, iPod dock, espresso machine, bar stools, statement mirrors) was inventive. “Our work is stressful as it is,” says Jav. “At the end of the day, when are sorely in need for an R and R, we don’t have to leave the office. We just have to dim the lights, turn on the iPod and have some cocktails to cap the night off.”

Though the office may seem like a huge temptation for employees to simply kick off their shoes and let their hair down on a daily basis, the space actually makes them focus on their work more, surrounded as they are by things to inspire them to think their best thoughts. ”I really look forward to coming here as it makes me feel safe from the outside world,” says Jav. “Every day I feel that I’ll be OK here and I can work.”