ministry of design pays homage to ad mastermind leo burnett in singapore

universally considered as one of the pillars of modern advertisement, leo burnett, author of the ‘marlboro man’ and ‘tony the tiger’, is being honored in his ad agency’s newest ministry of design office in south east asia. located in a recently restored building in central singapore, the journey forms a continuous loop around the exceptional office.

a wheelbarrow full of trophies won by the agency is illuminated by a single vintage studio lamp

singapore based firm, ministry of design, has completed the ‘leo burnett office’ with unique design features. as visitors and clients arrive at the doors of the office, a larger-than-life portrait of the ad agency’s founder greets you. this representation of leo burnett, which forms the centerpiece of the reception, is a three-meter-high line drawing which depicts the type of work an art director would do while sketching. it has been painted directly on to the floor, wall, windows, and ceiling, as if burnett were working on an idea. a giant version of the agency’s logo — a pencil bearing leo burnett’s signature — stands the full height of the room, as if, having drawn the portrait itself.

banquette seating, upholstered in green, and a selection of white hanging chairs and loose furniture

this project has been awarded in various competitions spanning several categories and countries such as USA, UK, china, and hong kong. there is a series of themes around the office that vary, including distinct expositions, apart from the gigantic portrayal of leo burnett, such as anamorphic art and gold-gilded wheel barrows overloaded with trophies. the richness in features and materiality is found in the concrete floors, bespoke desks forming a checkered pattern of plywood, and milky white mirrored epoxy resin flooring.

the rooms are green from floor to ceiling and the light coming though the holes glow green in the corridor.

optical illusion painting

distorted optical illusion

ministry of design’s ‘leo burnett office’ is situated in a restored conservation building in central singapore

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: apostolos costarangos | designboom