Meet Gavin Woo: Redefining Workspaces Through Design, Sustainability and Innovation

For nearly three decades, Gavin has been transforming the way people think about the workplace. As the founder of Office Planner, he believes that great offices are not built by furniture alone, but by creating environments that inspire collaboration, creativity and well-being.

From becoming Singapore’s only Green DNA-certified office furniture company to launching Asia’s first official Peanuts™ commercial furniture collection, Gavin continues to challenge industry norms. His journey reflects a commitment to thoughtful design, sustainability and helping organisations build workspaces where people can truly thrive.

Office Planner was founded almost three decades ago. What inspired you to enter the office furniture and workspace industry?

When I graduated from university, I received two job offers—one from UOB and another from a local furniture company. I chose the furniture company and worked there for about two and a half years before deciding to start my own business.

That led to the incorporation of Office Planner in 1997. Looking back, it was a decision that shaped the rest of my career.

Office Planner became the first office furniture company in Asia to launch an official Peanuts™ commercial furniture collection. How did this opportunity come about, and what does it mean to you?

The idea came after my family and I saw Peanuts™ products while travelling in Korea and Japan. Initially, I did not think much about it.

Later, the founder of ActionCity, encouraged me to explore the licence because no one had created commercial office furniture around the Peanuts™ brand before. After several discussions with the licensor, we decided to move forward.

Peanuts™ represents nostalgia, emotional connection and positivity, which aligns with our vision of creating more energetic workplaces. I was also surprised to discover how popular the brand remains among younger audiences.

This collection differentiates us from competitors and marks the first step in bringing more personality and energy into office environments.

You often talk about creating workspaces rather than simply selling furniture. Why is this important?

Furniture is only one part of the solution. The workspace itself has a much greater influence on how people behave, collaborate and perform.

Our goal is to create environments that bring out the best in every employee. We think about how people work, interact and contribute, then design spaces that generate the right energy for different activities.

Today, we are no longer just designing furniture. We are designing workplaces that help people feel engaged, productive and relevant.

If budget were not a constraint, what would the ideal workplace look like?

Furniture would not be the biggest investment. The focus would be on designing different zones that support different ways of working.

Every ideal workplace should include quiet areas for focused work, collaborative spaces for teamwork and environments designed to suit different levels of energy and interaction.

If budget is limited, the key is identifying the essential elements each space requires rather than trying to do everything at once.

Office Planner is Singapore’s only Green DNA-certified office furniture company. Why has sustainability become such an important priority?

Initially, sustainability was not a major priority. It became essential when government projects started requiring recognised green certifications.

At that time, Singapore did not have an equivalent certification, so we obtained one from Australia, where our factory and operations were audited over nine months. Later, we also achieved Singapore’s Green Label certification.

Green DNA goes beyond product certification. It evaluates the entire business. Although sustainable materials often cost more, we believe the long-term value makes the investment worthwhile.

Do you believe expanding overseas is now a necessity for Singapore companies that want to remain competitive?

The answer is both yes and no.

The more important question is whether the Singapore market is large enough for your business. For example, while there is strong interest in our Peanuts™ collection locally, the market size naturally limits sales volume.

Expanding overseas can create economies of scale. Higher volumes lower production costs, making businesses more competitive overall.

So, overseas expansion is not simply about staying competitive. It is about accessing larger markets that allow businesses to grow more efficiently.

What is your vision for Singapore in the next five years?

I hope Singapore becomes truly AI-efficient. Artificial intelligence should be viewed as a tool that enhances productivity rather than something that replaces jobs. Businesses should already be investing in AI capabilities so they are prepared for the future.

If we fail to embrace AI while the rest of the world advances, we risk falling behind.

If you could have one superpower for a day, what would it be and why?

I would choose teleportation.

Travelling consumes a significant amount of time, and being able to move instantly from one place to another would allow me to be far more productive and effective.

Connect with Gavin: OXO, OfficePlanner and LinkedIn.