A futuristic design scheme merged with an industrial aesthetic.
Today’s fast-paced, career-driven dynamic has led to one spending an average of 40-45 hours per week in their workplace. It is therefore, imperative to create spaces that address the physical as well as mental welfare of the workforce. The key intention of a company is to be able to retain talent and ensure that its employees are contented – a substantial factor being the design and layout of the workplace. The design of the Corporate Office for Sterlite Technologies Pvt. Ltd. incorporates these considerations and aims to characterize a sleek, futuristic design scheme with an industrial aesthetic for a contemporary corporate office – an office that constructs a pleasing and favourable environment.
With a design intent to facilitate an open layout with characteristic zones, each of these zones is conceptualised as a consolidation of workstations, cabins and social spaces. To facilitate engagement and interaction, the layout is largely designed as a central open sea of workstations with minimal number of closed spaces. An open-plan format enables employee well-being and efficiency, and collaborative spaces are planned at intervals in order to break the monotony and allow for employees to work away from the desks. The shared environment enhances productivity of the employees and expedites positivity within the workspace. The open, linear positioning of the workstations proffers a sense of belonging as well.
As one enters the office, they are greeted by the reception area which tends to seamlessly merge into a social lounge that acts as a buffer between the workstations and the adjoining zones. The material finishes used in the reception area are exposed concrete, wood, and metal – authentic, and coherent to the brand’s ethos. The reception table is crafted with concrete texture, metal and brass strips. The metal baffles used in the ceiling are incorporated to demarcate the entrance, whereas the rest of the space is kept exposed. The walls are augmented with graphic design, and created with optic fibres – the primary business component of the company. Each graphic on the walls represents a different value of the brand. The social lounge is designed to culminate into a customer experience centre, where the patrons can walk in, to interact visually and physically with the digital exhibits.
The interiors of the office are kept slightly unfinished with exposed services emulating a rather industrial expression. The workspace is finished with wood textured laminate, concrete and metal – providing a sense of warmth and comfort. The flooring is complete with carpets retaining acoustical qualities. The breakout zones are highlighted with large-format vitrified tiles and vibrant fabric, doing away with the monotony of the grey and white interiors. Suspended furniture is placed at intervals within the breakout zone. The columns within the space are kept bare and exposed to echo an industrial character while simultaneously contrasting with the elegance of the wood and metal used. The concept of Biophilia is integrated in the interiors with a judicious use of planters and foliage. The planters are effortlessly blended with the storage system in order to optimize area for workspace. The cabins and meeting rooms are designed to manifest a subtle, unassuming expression., wherein the walls of meeting rooms are designed with graphics, where one wall is provided as a surface for writing. The industrial character is carried forward in the lighting scheme – typical industrial down lighters are provided. The meeting rooms terminate with a grid of glass and metal square panels, creating a modish ambience. The design of the cafeteria promotes a sense of continuity and ease. Crafted within an informal setting – it comprises of bar tables, lounge chairs and game rooms. Conceptualised as a casual, trendy space with suspended seating, communal seating, vibrant hovering light fixtures, the cafeteria is designed to exude a sense of relaxation to the employees. The raised floor at the end wall doubles up as a podium for small gatherings, with provision for a drop-down screen.
The company’s vision, mission and beliefs are represented ingeniously through various artwork, murals, and three-dimensional graphics. The overall design identity resonates with the character of the brand while establishing a calm and avant-garde workspace for the employees.