The client: India’s largest and premier air-conditioning company

The client is a giant in the air-conditioning industry with customers across the full spectrum – from large industrial applications to homes and every need in-between.

The company offers a comprehensive range of products that are not only technologically advanced but also sustainable, energy-efficient and intuitively designed.

The company’s investments in research and development are primarily responsible for its success and enviable reputation across the globe. 

To accommodate its growing workforce and new ideas, the client intended to set up an Innovation center at Thane, Maharashtra and signed up Elements Architects to do up the interiors. The client wanted the new office to reflect its eco-friendly personality and industry leadership. 

Design framework: The workday isn’t 9 AM to 5 PM anymore

The GenZ office isn’t conventional. It is completely fluid. The work can happen from any place that has Internet access. It could be the office desk, couch, coffee shop, cafeteria, or even the staircase.

The bottom line is productive output.  The workplace design had to be dynamic and agile. The post-Covid workplace patterns also led to the company dividing its staff strength into two distinct categories; Work from Establishment (WFE) and Work from Home (WFH). The workplace layout had to facilitate this convenience.

The high real estate costs also had to be factored in to ensure optimal utilization of space.

Being an air-conditioning company, the overall emphasis had to be on energy conservation and carrying a green outlook. The plan that Elements Architects came up with lived up to the expectations.

Execution: Foliage as the design theme

The design took shape as per the plan which was arrived at to reflect the client’s brand personality.

The theme revolved around natural elements depicting green foliage in various stages of growth (plants in fully grown form, in branch form, and in foliage form). 

The three themes, varied colors, and eco-friendly materials represented different floors and functions, all evolving into one integrated green form. This is further reflected in the ceiling, furniture, and upholstery.

The layout was designed to be flexible to accommodate more people, co-work spaces, break-out spaces, and private spaces.    

Flooring: Shaw Contract’s Color at Work II collection

The design team chose the Color at Work II collection from Shaw Contract as they matched the theme of collaborative zones within the spaces of working, learning, healing, and play.

The Color at Work II collection is a flexible system of colors that maintains a neutral base enhanced by multiple accent colors that work individually or built together in unison. The colours include yellow, blue, and green that boost the mood, concentration, and creativity of the space.

Just as people see color differently, the Color at Work II collection, with its vast array of design possibilities is ideal for wayfinding and zoning.

Net result: Relieving, rejuvenating, and rehabilitating tired minds

The innovation center lived up to its objective of being a truly flexible workplace and provided an opportunity for an employee to choose and pick his/her desired place to work.

The ambient set-up also helps in relieving, rejuvenating, and rehabilitating tired minds. The overall experience lives up to the client’s brand personality and intended objectives.

• Design: ELEMENTS Architects

• Project Location: Thane, India