FIT-OUT COST CRISIS: THE SOLUTION THROUGH RAISED FLOOR SYSTEMS AND COLUMN-FREE DESIGN

1. The Growing Pressure of Initial Office Fit-Out CAPEX

For Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) and Corporate Administration teams of multinational corporations, establishing a new workplace is often accompanied by significant pressure from initial capital expenditure (CAPEX). Amid rising construction material costs and ongoing supply chain disruptions, office fit-out budgets have reached record highs.

According to the Asia Pacific Office Fit-Out Cost Guide 2023 published by CBRE, average office fit-out costs across the region increased by 18% year-on-year. In Hanoi, particularly for technology-enabled agile workspaces, fit-out costs typically range between USD 800 and USD 1,200 per square meter.

These figures highlight a critical reality: selecting a conventional bare-shell office space often leads to escalating and difficult-to-control fit-out expenses. Businesses today require a physical infrastructure solution capable of mitigating technical and construction costs from the moment they take possession of the premises.

2. Raised Floor System: Reducing IT Infrastructure Costs by Up to 30%

For technology-driven sectors such as IT, software development, semiconductors, and R&D, one of the most time-consuming and costly aspects of office fit-out is the installation of data cabling, power distribution systems, and server cooling infrastructure. Traditional concrete flooring requires extensive drilling and modification, increasing both costs and complexity while limiting future flexibility.

To address this challenge, Oriental Square offers a premium delivery standard featuring a fully installed 100mm raised floor system throughout the leasable area.

Financial Benefits

The raised floor system can reduce MEP (Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing) material and labor costs by approximately 20–30%.

Operational Benefits

Tenants can deploy workstations, server rooms, and technology infrastructure more efficiently. As organizational requirements evolve, network nodes and power connections beneath the raised floor can be reconfigured within a single day, minimizing operational disruption and ensuring long-term adaptability.

3. Column-Free Design: Maximizing Space Efficiency

Office floors interrupted by dense structural columns often result in lower space utilization and reduced efficiency ratios. According to analysis by JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle), column-heavy floor plates can waste approximately 10–15% of rentable space, forcing occupiers to pay for areas that contribute little to operational value.

Oriental Square addresses this issue through a large-span structural design that positions columns along the building perimeter. With expansive column-free floor plates ranging from approximately 912 to 992 square meters, complemented by an impressive 2.85-meter clear ceiling height, tenants are provided with a true “blank canvas” for workplace planning.

This design is particularly well suited for:

• Open-plan workplace environments
• Large-scale town hall and collaboration spaces
• Research laboratories and secure operational facilities
• Flexible workplace concepts requiring unrestricted layouts

Without physical obstructions, businesses gain greater freedom to optimize space utilization, employee experience, and future workplace transformations.

4. Conclusion

Office fit-out costs are more than just numbers on a construction budget—they reflect the efficiency and adaptability of the underlying building infrastructure.

With its 100mm raised floor system and column-free floor design, Oriental Square delivers more than premium office space. It provides organizations with a practical financial safeguard against rising CAPEX costs while enabling long-term operational flexibility and workplace efficiency.

📞 To receive detailed CAD/PDF floor plans and a customized office fit-out cost optimization analysis tailored to your organization, please contact our Leasing Department Hotline at 0932 038 666.