Can you share a brief overview of your career journey in architecture and design? What has been the most defining moment in your career, and how has it influenced your design philosophy?
As a professional, my journey started in 1995 in a Kolkata-based multi-disciplinary Consultancy firm designing thermal power plants, educational institutions, industrial compounds and high-end residential across the globe. Soon I found myself in Delhi to be part of an international development management firm engaged by a globally renowned Fund house to manage their real estate investments in India.
The five-year stint in that firm helped me to develop a holistic approach to design and execution. In 2003 I shifted base to Bangalore to be part of Synergy, an Indian project management firm with a vision. Within a decade we became one of the largest Indian project management firms delivering projects across all asset classes. In 2019 we became part of the Colliers India family, and the story continues.
In the last two decades, I have had the privilege to deliver a substantial volume of built environments for our esteemed clients. The journey of designing and managing delivery for Clients with different needs has been exciting, fulfilling, and inspiring. One of the most defining moments in my career was when we delivered a 2.5 million sqft workspace for Cognizant in 120 days from design to delivery.
The design won accolades from industry peers and was much appreciated by the end users. Our commitment to deliver the space within the agreed time and budget was also hugely recognized and acknowledged. The project showcases that when the right team is in place with the right intent, then nothing is impossible. Time is also not an enemy when you are able to do the right thing at the right time.
What are some of the most significant challenges you’ve faced in designing office spaces, and what strategies do you think the industry should adopt to overcome them?
Designing workspaces is difficult when you need to balance priorities in a finite floor plate. The requirements are always more than what is available as a space. The best strategy is to fit in what is maximum possible but not compromise on wellness, circulation, and functionality. A well-planned layout is the foundation on which an efficient and functional workplace is created.
The creativity required to give the desired aesthetics is in our control and can enhance the workplace ambience. However, if the layout or the space planning goes wrong we will be left with a dysfunctional office and disgruntled employees. So please ensure the space flow is right in order to achieve the design intent. All Clients will not be equally sensitive to the needs of a workplace. As the designer, it is our responsibility to slowly nudge the Client towards the right workplace design.
The best way to convince the Client is to highlight the benefits of the proposed design in real metrics. In order to do the same, we need to understand the Client business model and the reason why the office is being built.
How do you integrate sustainability and eco-friendly practices into your office design projects? Could you share some examples where these principles have been successfully implemented?
In order to help you and your organisation to quickly adapt to a more sustainable workplace here are a few ideas to embrace and implement while designing workspaces today
#1: Design Outside Inside The new-age office design brief should begin with bringing the outside inside. It is now proven that biophilic design can be equated with more productive, less stressed and healthier employees. Lots of natural light, open space and community areas with nature is the key to unlocking the green potential of your workplace.
#2: Encourage Hybrid Working as a work philosophy has gained ground rapidly post-pandemic. Encouraging employees to stay home and work twice a week is essentially good for the environment. You save on office costs, and your employee saves on their carbon footprint. Flexible work as and when possible should be encouraged wholeheartedly.
#3: Conscious Consumption of Power It is extremely important today to know and identify the primary energy sources to run an office. In all probability, the HVAC load will be fifty percent of your total load. There is definite merit in understanding the solutions available in terms of energy sources, equipment and design before making the final decision. Think long-term (at least 5 years) while comparing capex and operational costs.
#4: Choose Materials Wisely Choosing the right materials while building a new office is critical with respect to sustainability. A responsible architect will choose materials which are locally available, have a low carbon footprint and can be easily recycled. As the End User, it makes sense for you to do a detailed green analysis of all construction materials chosen to build your office.
#5: Energy Accreditations As an organisation you may or may not have a mandate to opt for Energy accreditations or certifications. But that does not stop you from requesting Designers to design your office based on a standard Energy rating checklist. It will help you to make your office future-ready and also send a clear message to your employees and customers.
All the above measures can be implemented with minimum cost and effort. The real need is awareness among End Users and responsibility among Designers. The future of the planet will be decided by what we build for tomorrow, today.
“Sustainable development is a fundamental break that’s going to reshuffle the entire deck. There are companies today that are going to dominate in the future simply because they understand that.” – Francois-Henri Pinault
We have successfully implemented the above solutions for all our new offices in India and across the globe. Whenever we have been part of the design development process for our clients, we have underlined the need for offices to be sustainable and future-ready. Recent examples include large workspaces managed and executed for Google, Northern Trust, Voya, Boeing, and Cognizant by Colliers.
What innovative technologies or design processes have you utilized to enhance the functionality, efficiency, and user experience of office spaces?
Technology is evolving faster than the speed of thought today. In our field, innovation is connected to the changing nature of work. The concept of hybrid work is pushing all corporate real estate professionals to monitor their workplaces for occupancy and efficiency. We now utilize various types of sensors to detect temperature, humidity, air quality, daylight, and occupancy across zones and floors.
The data collected from the sensors are analyzed in proprietary software and shared in real-time with the users. At Colliers, we have developed an AI-based remote monitoring tool named CoGence, which is already implemented in certain key sites. It allows the client to view their site from a remote location and also map the actual execution with virtual BIM models. Our REMS team is at the forefront of selecting new-age technology tools to make offices safe, secure, and efficient.
Colliers’ design team today is actively involved in workplace study, change management, and the actual design of the new age workplace. As an organization, we are always observing how work in the office is evolving and what needs to be addressed today to ensure offices are future-ready. Interacting with the majority demography in an office is essential in the design process. The designer must understand the purpose of the office before the design is initiated. We cannot impose the designer’s thought process on the users. Empathy is the key ingredient in the design process to deliver an office that appeals to all.
In your opinion, what are the key qualities and skills that have contributed to your success in architecture and design, particularly in creating office environments? What advice would you offer to aspiring architects and designers entering this field?
If I had to list the key qualities that have contributed to my success, I would select empathy and patience as the two most important factors.
As a professional entrusted to deliver offices to clients with varied needs, it is important that we first understand the client in a holistic way. Initial conversations about the client’s business, culture, aspirations, budget, and timelines help us understand the direction in which the design and later the execution strategy need to move. It is extremely important to align ourselves with the client’s objectives to deliver a successful project. In this phase, I prefer to listen more and talk less.
Once we are clear about the reason why the office is being created, the process of designing it and then selecting the right set of people to execute it begins. Patience is the only attribute that will help you in this journey. We must be patient as the design takes shape. Once approved, we must agree on a procurement strategy with the client team to ensure we get the best vendors who can deliver exceptional quality within an agreed budget.
As construction commences, the real task of managing vendors and suppliers requires immense patience and empathy. We should focus on what is in our control and not get stressed by imagined troubles. Be tough on yourself and understanding with others. Only then can you motivate a diverse set of people to deliver to your expectations.
For all aspiring architects and project managers, my advice would be to:
a) Be confident, which comes through knowledge.
b) Be adaptable, which comes through observations.
c) Be humble, which will come with age.
The planet is changing very fast, and the new generation of professionals will face new challenges and obstacles in the coming decades. The key to overcoming such hurdles is to remain positive and deliver without excuses.