No men allowed: The 'women only' workplace

In an old shophouse on Singapore's Joo Chiat Road, a new type of office has taken shape.

A co-working space, or 'third place' office, provides a unique and collaborative location for people from various businesses - either working for themselves or working remotely - to come together in one place.

But it's not the co-sharing that makes this place different - it's the fact that no boys are allowed.

Michaela Anchan, founder of the all-female working space Woolf Works, decided to create the women-only workplace after finding nowhere else in Singapore that addressed her need for a creative space which allowed her to work effectively.

"I found it hard to put my own work (writing) first when I was at home – I was easily distracted by the other needs of the household. I felt like if there was somewhere I could go each day for set work hours I would be much more productive. I wasn’t looking for a corporate space and I wanted somewhere quiet yet inspiring," she said.

But despite its concept, Anchan said the women only space really has nothing to do with being "anti-men".

"I am not anti-men nor feel there’s any ‘problem’ with men in the workplace, but I wanted my space to directly address the idea that women need to value their work, their ideas and their needs more.

"There are many ‘mumpreneurs’ and freelancing or remote working women in Singapore working from home offices, and it is really, really hard. Women are often very connected emotionally to everything else going on in the household and it’s hard to switch on and off between work and home life, especially if there are small children at home."

The space, in Singapore's east, has built to around 10 regular members after opening in July 2014. These include writers, photographers, a company executive, personal trainers, and a few entrepreneurs launching new businesses in Singapore.

One of the members - a writer and marketing coach - has also taken on the role as the workspace's in-house Pilates coach for members.

It's this collaborative environment, as well as a neutral and comfortable space, which Anchan said is hugely important for helping those who work from Woolf Works achieve success in their businesses.

"I was very aware that the aesthetic of the space would be crucial in its success. The whole concept of the space is about having the right environment to work productively," she said.

"I really wanted something that wasn’t corporate, but still felt professional, and that was calming and serene without being bland. I had quite strong ideas about how I thought this could work and Barbara Fritchy of Make Room helped me bring it all to life."

In order to maintain an easy and effective design, Anchan designed the furniture in the office in such a way that it can be moved and switched around easily.

"We took flip-up conference table legs and put sanded plywood tops on them. They look great and are really functional. All the tables can be flipped up and rolled away to the side in about five minutes."

Anchan believes Singapore will increasingly start to utilise and seek out co-working spaces, as office rents continue to increase and workers look for different flexible working options.

"Flexibility is key," she said. "As well as providing little corners and spaces to encourage 'water cooler' chats."