Embellishing innovation spaces

With advancing technology, workspace productivity can be enhanced through creativity, flexibility, and innovative ideas.

Workplace means a space that provides freedom for work. Traditionally, the typology was different for the way work is done in banks, shops, offices, etc. Also, after a decade of information technology, modern trend emerged this century in working professionals and employees, and even business environment changed drastically in terms of its processes evolved, reformed outreach and communication, cycles, longevity and improved processes.

Ergonomics and workplace design must
The workspace needs to be an ergonomic and well-connected location, designed to ease interaction and connectivity, says Ar. Er. S. P. Anchuri, Chief Consultant, Anchuri and Anchuri.
Workspace design inclusive of elements like colours, textures, air quality and ergonomics can add to human comfort. Lighting that mimics sunlight and is time- or season-sensitive, allows bio rhythms to be maintained. Finally, the interior design and choice of colour, texture and decor is changing and there is an active interest in making spaces feel free, he adds.

Latest design trends and evolving ideas attract the most eager and seasoned experts into the team, according to Ar. S.K. Goel, Conarch Architects.

“Segregation of space planning like workstations, conference rooms, waiting lounges, offices, accounts and other ancillary areas, furniture, space partitions and ceilings should be designed such that they could be integrated within to re-create the subtlety of ambient day lighting,” he adds.
Optimum space utilisation
While the basic design stays lifelong, current trend is to keep it minimalistic, and space planning has also got much sleeker with the costs of commercial spaces skyrocketing, says Ar. Prem Nath, Principal Architect, M/s Prem Nath & Associates.

Interior design on productivity
Trends in office design are constantly evolving. The furniture that fills a workspace and the way it’s arranged can play a crucial role in worker productivity and team morale, says Amol Prabhu, Partner, Shashi Prabhu & Associates. As more millennials enter the workforce, managers must ensure their office environments feel welcoming and foster an atmosphere conducive for work and collaboration, he adds.

Most preferred decor themes
Closer to nature
Biophilic design is an approach that seeks to connect building occupants more closely to nature by adding natural elements such as wood, greenery, water bodies, abundant natural light and ventilation to the space. It represents the perfect amalgamation of nature, design and innovation and has been incorporated in many working spaces, says Avijit Marwah, Director, EvoWood.

For optimum productivity, an employee must feel connected to its workspace, and they are more likely to spend longer hours at work if the space is inspiring.

Wooden interiors can have several positive impacts on both physical and psychological health of employees in the long run, says Marwah.

The concept of interiors has metamorphosed into a vibrant analogy of our times like clothing fashion, where colours change with season, fabrics change with the latest collection and furniture with the latest designer on the bloc, says Arunima Kukreja, Interior Designer, CP Kukreja Architects.

Eco-friendly interiors with natural lighting
Eco-friendly interiors with natural lighting streaming in will elevate the mood of the employees with better working conditions, says Designer Nandita Ghatge, Kagal Craft.

The old high ceilings can be kept to keep the heat away with minimal use of air conditioners. Adding aroma adds another ethereal dimension to a working space. Fresh flowers and plants will help create a home-like environment to an otherwise spartan office, adds Ghatge.

Interiors can aid meeting the goal of enhancing collaboration through creativity, flexibility, and innovative ideas. A suitably designed workspace with an open plan will help free flow of ideas, according to Designer Rajesh Achrekar, Kagal Craft.

Being closed in an air-conditioned, high rise office means the essential psychological and physiological benefits of nature are missing. “We believe ’Biophilia’ will be the way we reshape and think about bringing nature into our workspaces, adds Achrekar.

With the rapid growth of modern technology glass, the perception of being just a decorative material has been transformed into a strong, durable solution with visually pleasing aesthetics, ideal for major corporate hubs. “Doors and windows can easily increase office’s aesthetic appeal and can perfectly complement the other elements of the organisation in their own quiet way,” says Manish Bansal, Director, Window Magic India. Further, uPVC doors and windows are highly resistant to drastic weather, including the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Aesthetical appeal
Available in a wide range of colours, it complements the overall decor and enhances its aesthetic beauty. They are easily accessible in sleek and elegant designs with stylish glass door options to make the interiors feel more pleasing and look luxurious.

Budget friendly
Investing in uPVC windows and doors will deliver better cost saving results in terms of energy bills, etc. The faster you set up uPVC windows and doors, the sooner you reduce the bills. Often with additional advantages of ‘No more wood frame painting’ and ‘No more decaying frames’, the rooms will be warmer, more peaceful, safer and generally more pleasant.

Controlled privacy
It helps to install these glasses in offices as they give the flexibility to control privacy. They use electro – chromatic technology that makes the glass transparent when it comes into contact with heat or electricity. Most of these glasses are installed in cabins and meeting rooms.

Sound Insulation
For confidential conversations and meetings, maintaining a calm and quiet environment is mandatory in each office, also to control the general noise. The need for glass partitions is increasing, as they encourage privacy and creates a good working condition.

Select best option
Windows help to enjoy the view outside and though you may have many colour, style or material options. One must not forget that to make it look aesthetically pleasing, it should be installed correctly, according to Mario Schmidt, Managing Director, Lingel Windows and Doors Technologies Pvt Ltd There should be no gaps or cracks as that will give it a shoddy look. The best option would be to get the window customised from a reliable window company according to requirement, adds Schmidt.

Enhancing visual appeal
LED technology
LED technology has reached a point where lights are customised for every office’s specific needs and are unique to the particular space, says Fahad Khateeb, Director, Indilites led lighting.

The lights might be designed keeping multiple factors in mind like the service or product offered by the particular office or showroom, the colour combinations, amount of luminescence required and so on.

Nemo lighting: art and science
Every product and even every feature within a product has a story, shared by its designer. Nemo lighting is both an art and a science. It takes a good eye along with ample imagination and skill—but it also takes knowledge, knowing how to put the correct tools together to help shape a compelling story, says Roopesh Gupta, MD & CEO, P3 Architectural Solutions.

“As the offices have evolved from being just a workspace to creative workspace. Lighting has also evolved to complement modern architecture of creative workspaces, says Rambo Zhang, Country Head, OPPLE Lighting.

One of our concealed lights like Junction Box Downlight is designed to improve the aesthetics as the light fixtures are set into the ceiling itself and nothing hangs down to interrupt the visual space of the ceiling, adds Zhang.

Another product, Pendant Zenith easily matches any decorative style and offers comfortable lighting with the whole space being lit up bright and even.”

“Signify luminaires and lighting products are designed keeping in mind the quality and quantity of lighting mandated for workspaces”, says Ashish Bahal, Lead Architect and Experience Designer, Signify Innovations India Ltd.

Good colour rendering, consistent colour temperature, glare-free, flicker-free uniform lighting, among qualities aid enhancing experience of employees, making them feel healthier, attentive and productive in comfortably bright surroundings.

Syska Office track lighting
Syska’s Linear Lighting features such as power supply, lighting control and connection to emergency lighting can be seamlessly integrated into multifunctional trunking. These luminaries are available in various photometric features, such as distributing light directly down, or indirectly by reflecting off the ceiling, or a combination (direct/indirect) of these two methods.

Syska LED linear trunking systems are a perfect alternative to traditional linear and fluorescent tubes in the market due to their streamlined illumination, aesthetical continuity and integrated control functions. “Syska LED Linear lights are energy-efficient and a low maintenance alternative to traditional linear fluorescent lights in applications for large open-plan office, says Rajesh Uttamchandani, Director, Syska GroupSyska Office track lighting is perfect for desk illumination. They are also perfect for other important areas of an office spaces. These lights have multiple applications and are useful for multi-purpose areas within a space. Office track lighting also offers great flexibility due to their ability to twist and turn the lights in any direction.

Sustainable solutions
Latest offerings – Dulux Professional Weathershield TR E2000 and Dulux Professional Weathershield Creation Stonetex is an endeavor in providing sustainable solutions for varied needs. Dulux Professional Weathershield TR E2000, a super durable exterior paint is powered by TimeResistTM technology- prevents fading, algae resistance and dirt retention, says Rajiv Rajgopal, Managing Director, AkzoNobel India.

Dulux Professional Weathershield Creation Stonetex is a premium stone-like texture coating that provides natural stone effect. This water-based textured coating paint contains selected natural and synthetic UV-resistant coloured stones and aggregates bound by 100 per cent acrylic polymer. It is suitable for both exterior and interior application.

Nippon Paint’s Momento, a range of special effect paint can elevate the office walls to works of art. Momento offers a choice of textures to unleash creativity and create unique designs, says S Mahesh Anand, President – Nippon Paint (India) Pvt Ltd (Decorative Division).

The odour-less air-care is a paint range that is important to office because the active carbon technology in it purifies air inside the office by converting formaldehyde into water vapour, bringing about clean fresh air. This makes workers breathe safely and prevents the possibility of respiratory diseases.

The work space needs to be an ergonomic and well-connected location, designed to ease interaction and connectivity.
Ar. Er. S. P. Anchuri, Chief Consultant, Anchuri and Anchuri

Latest design trends and evolving ideas attract the most eager and seasoned experts into the team.
Ar. S.K. Goel, Conarch Architects

What remains lifelong is the basic design, i.e. the ergonomics and utilisation of space to its optimum.
Ar. Prem Nath, Principal Architect, M/s Prem Nath & Associates

The furniture that fills your workspace & the way it’s arranged can play a crucial role in worker productivity and team morale.
Amol Prabhu, Partner, Shashi Prabhu & Associates

Wooden interiors can have several positive impacts on both physical and psychological health of employees in the long run.
Avijit Marwah, Director, EvoWood

Technology has allowed new materials to enter into the world of interiors and has added precision into the craft.
Arunima Kukreja, Interior Designer, CP Kukreja Architects

The best option would be to get the window customised from a reliable window company, so that one can be guided correctly to select the best option.
Mario Schmidt, Managing Director, Lingel Windows and Doors Technologies Pvt Ltd

LED technology has reached a point where lights are customised for every office’s specific needs and are unique to the particular space.
Fahad Khateeb, Director, Indilites led lighting

It takes a good eye along with ample imagination and skill—but it also takes knowledge, knowing how to put the correct tools together.
Roopesh Gupta, MD & CEO, P3 Architectural Solutions

Eco-friendly interiors with natural lighting streaming in will elevate the mood of the employees with better the working conditions.
Designer Nandita Ghatge, Kagal Craft

A suitably designed workspace with an open plan will help a free flow of ideas.
Designer Rajesh Achrekar, Kagal Craft

Doors and windows can easily increase office’s aesthetic appeal and can perfectly complement the other elements of the organisation in their own quiet way.
Manish Bansal, Director, Window Magic India

One of our concealed lights like Junction Box Downlight is designed to improve the aesthetics as the light fixtures.
Rambo Zhang, Country Head, OPPLE Lighting

Signify luminaires and lighting products are designed keeping in mind the quality and quantity of lighting mandated for workspaces.
Ashish Bahal, Lead Architect and Experience Designer, Signify Innovations India Ltd

Syska LED Linear lights are energy-efficient and a low maintenance alternative to traditional linear fluorescent lights in applications for large open-plan office.
Rajesh Uttamchandani, Director, Syska Group

Dulux Professional Weathershield TR E2000, a super durable exterior paint is powered by TimeResistTM technology- prevents fading, algae resistance and dirt retention.
Rajiv Rajgopal, MD, AkzoNobel India

Nippon Paint’s Momento offers a choice of textures to unleash creativity and create unique designs.
S Mahesh Anand, President – Nippon Paint (India) Pvt Ltd (Decorative Division)

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