The Growth Matrix [May 2012]

Singapore-based Space Matrix is one of the largest interior design and architecture firms in Asia-Pacific. Shagufta Anurag, Founder & MD unfolds her growth strategy
Brief us on the global market scenario as far as interior designing and architectural business is concerned. How do you see the Indian market?The global market for architecture and interior design is a growing market both in size and in maturity. As the global economy recovers and India is a focal point for our industry; the maturity of both the local and global client and the local building industry shapes and determines the market. The Indian building industry presents challenges that are also opportunities. Local clients are not experienced in the process to design and build projects that meet global standards and this presents us an opportunity to change the needed processes for high quality design and build services. We often directly work with clients, vendors, manufacturing and labour to create a more fully integrated team to achieve our required results.
Could you name the sectors where you see tremendous opportunity for your business?Current ‘hot’ markets in India include back office operations, banking and data facilities.
Discuss about the challenges you face in designing commercial/official space.Some of the key challenges include the standard Core and Shell buildings available to office space clients. These base buildings are often designed and built without an understanding of tenant needs and thus designing to meet the requirements of global workplace standards become problematic. Such things as structural grid and curtain wall spacing are not designed to meet the space layout needs of the modern global office space.
Being one of the largest interior design and architecture firms, could you reveal your approach to deal with such challenges?Our strategy to ensure success is to create an integrated team as soon as possible on our projects. This team must include the client/owner, design team, key vendors and construction leads. This approach helps us control the outcome and educate as needed to deliver quality.
Brief us on your global presence, clientele and significant projects accomplished.Founded in 2001, Space Matrix is a cutting-edge architecture and interior design firm in Asia-Pacific with 11 offices and 450 staff. Our integrated service model offers expertise across a variety of disciplines in the industry. We partner with clients from around the world to create timeless environments that inspire, engage and at the same time are highly functional. Space Matrix addresses full projects range including: civic, commercial, education, healthcare, hospitality, residential, transport and workplace design and architecture. Our client list includes Fortune 500 companies like Google, Facebook, Rolls Royce, Wells Fargo, Nokia, Volvo, Deutsche Bank, Dell, JP Morgan Chase, HP, SAP, GE and many others.
Tell us about your business strategies and future expansion plans.Driven by a formula which balances Growth and Great Place to Work, we seek opportunities to partner, JV or acquire companies that share our multi-national, family culture and complement our design and build professional services and practices to steadily achieve our business targets and receive external awards for our clients’ projects and performance among our peers.

Shagufta is the Founder and Managing Director of Space Matrix and drives all aspects of design strategy, quality, and validation of the company’s interior and architecture practice; which includes all the studios of the company’s across Singapore, Thailand, Australia, & India. Shagufta, a Bachelor of Architecture from BMS College of Engineering, Bangalore, also manages the entire operations including major customer and project management. She also spearheads the company’s knowledge and research based initiatives firm wide. Shagufta’s philosophy which permeates the Space Matrix approach to design, is to capture the spatial matrix by understanding the customer’s business strategy, culture, and branding requirements and then translating them through innovative design into a functional productive and creative work environment.

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