Gensler completed the Catapult @ Rochester Commons with eye-catching architectural installations in Singapore.

Catapult is a groundbreaking executive learning center in Southeast Asia that aims to cultivate the next generation of leaders. Designed by Gensler, Catapult stands out as a hub of innovation and knowledge, catering to universities, corporate organizations, and executive business schools seeking to train high-potential leaders at local, regional, and global levels. Leveraging cutting-edge learning technologies, Catapult offers unparalleled educational experiences that captivate and enrich learners, ultimately preparing them for future leadership roles.

The primary objective of Gensler was to create a space that fosters the development of next-generation leaders through technology-led learning while providing a dynamic and community-focused environment for industry experts and knowledge-sharing professionals to host conferences, talks, and learning sessions. Catapult goes beyond traditional courses; it aims to build resources that enable learners to join at any point, with each stage building upon the previous one.

Gensler’s design team drew inspiration from the metaphor of bees spreading pollen, envisioning the learning environment as a series of interconnected nodes and steps that adapt and evolve to meet learners’ needs. The ultimate goal is to attract a diverse community of learners who share knowledge and generate new ideas.

To ensure that the space fully caters to learners’ needs, the design team extensively consulted potential end-users and assessed various executive learning spaces for their strengths and limitations. Based on this valuable feedback, they developed a design concept that incorporates key requirements, including versatile rooms capable of accommodating up to 50 participants, breakout rooms near the main teaching area, ample natural light, and comfortable networking spaces. Other considerations encompassed acoustics, movable furniture, and advanced technologies such as video conferencing facilities.

Beyond technology, Catapult’s design concept aims to foster a culture of innovation and creativity. Gensler acknowledges that creating such a culture requires more than traditional learning spaces or work environments. Therefore, the design team sought to cultivate behaviors that encourage initiative, risk-taking, and purpose through innovative designs.

To achieve these goals, Gensler designed a space that enables prototyping, influence, and play. It actively focuses on unlearning fear, passivity, and bias while cultivating behaviors that instill joy, fun, and purpose. This is accomplished through dynamic architecture, personalization, and control of space, as well as a culture that encourages experimentation and the challenging of ideas.

Overall, Catapult distinguishes itself as a well-designed learning center by offering a holistic approach to learning. The combination of flexible learning environments, state-of-the-art technology, and a strong emphasis on innovation and creativity creates an immersive and engaging experience for participants. Through this approach, Catapult empowers individuals to enhance their global leadership capabilities while providing a supportive environment for reflection, recharging, and continuous growth.

Design: Gensler
Design Team: Yvette Koh, Angela Spathonis, Angeline Lee, Jingyi Chen, Sreoshi Sinha
Photography: Owen Raggett