Collaborative Workspace
Respect for people and nature are the fundamental operating principles, which is refl ected in many of the social and environmental policies of Orifl ame. The same fundamentals were captured in planning the interiors and exterior for their India’s head offi ce in New Delhi.
The architects undertook the design of the facade and approximately 21130sq ft of interior space which encompasses four fl oors and one basement. The building houses the service centre for consultants and the corporate offi ce. The front blocks of the ground and basement combined are developed as the service centre. Rest of the building was planned for their corporate offi ce.
The feedback given by the clients clearly stated that the offi ce space needs to be unconventional with more spaces for them to associate.
They recommended creating a designated quiet zone where co- workers can go to conduct phone calls without disturbing or being disturbed by others in the offi ce. This reduces distractions from mobile phones and provides privacy within the open spaces. Also, no designated workstations for staff was needed . This maintains fl exibility and interest in seating manner, where anybody can sit anywhere anytime. All cabins have a small meeting table inside so that the cabin can be used for meeting in
the absence of the staff.
The brief stipulated that the interior environment should embody the brand in physical space. Every individual design element and feature, as well as the overall interior composition, should convey the brand identity. The Swedish origins of the company play a vital role in colour scheme, textures and overall look and feel. Openness, green, quality, technology, safety and innovation are few of the Swedish characteristics. Brand colours which are mostly pastel and mix of warm materials such as wood have been used. Social, casual, inspiring, modern and vibrant were the brand key- words for the new offi ce and service centre design.
External Facade: The building is located in the central spine of Delhi, the Mahatma Gandhi road and was initially having a standard glass façade which was damaged at various places. As the building is witnessed by huge traffi c day and night, the idea of the façade was to enable visual movement to the viewers outside. The endeavour was to have a façade which was timeless that lead to the unique slat mesh in aluminum strips.
As one moves along, the slats seem to respond and the subtle shift in shape and profi les provides a fl owing movement. The treatment provides solar shading and varying light conditions for the interior. The slats act as a screen to the continuous traffi c visual whilst maintaining some vision for the users inside of the surroundings.
Due to functional aspect, the building had to be sound and heat insulated so DGU glass was used behind the slats. The architects had to innovate to create a landmark in the minimum cost. The idea was to look at a global design which could add on to the identity of the entire brand internationally.
The brand’s long term vision is to become a fully sustainable company because of which slats are constructed in aluminum with wooden
texture fi lm on top of it. Aluminum known for its sustainable qualities is also very lightweight and recyclable. Façade can be dismantled and remade. The monotony of the slats is broken with a back- lit Orifl ame logo. Being the only feature above the monochromatic facade, the logo catches attention and enhances the interest of a visitor. The Scandinavian philosophy of simplicity in the design shines through.
Interior Planning: The customer service centre or the experience centre is a space where the clients/ customers and staff are introduced to the brand. Brand label, brand story, brand image, product value and product characteristics are the fi ve principles which are emphasized through design. The service centre has a showroom and a back offi ce. The showroom comprises of a product display area, customer care counter, customer ordering units and the back offi ce has the training room for consultants, one or two cabins, and meeting spaces. Here, the showroom- cum- experience centre is on the ground fl oor and the back offi ce in the basement.
The ground fl oor was already made in two levels. Fortunately the entrance, around 65sq m, had more height than rest of the space. Taking advantage of the height, entrance to the service centre is defi ned with back lit fabric ceiling. Product display was planned in that zone because it had the maximum footfall and larger height made it more prominent. Rest of the waiting and customer care is at the upper level. Colour scheme for service centre is in a palette of brown, greys and white with a hint of fl uorescent green as their brand colour. Wooden texture being the major element in the design guidelines, is used prominently everywhere. Ceiling has wooden slats which folds vertically on product display wall creating a continuous feature.
Monotony of the slats is broken with glass box displays for the products. All the walls are done in grey colour so that the furniture put in front of them are highlighted better.
Terminals with LED screens are made in wooden texture and are placed near the customer care. For the fi rst time Orifl ame introduced a 3D hologram display for their products and it is placed right at the entrance so the pedestrians outside get intrigued with it. These technical interactive features give a modern experience to the customer in this branch.
As there is less space in consultant area, open meeting pods with fabric seats are made which solves the purpose in lesser space and also enhances it aesthetically.
The showroom has tile flooring as it has the major footfall. Waiting area is highlighted with hexagon vinyl tiles flooring. As the back office has no wooden feature on walls and ceiling, flooring is done in wood fulfilling the brand guidelines.
Corporate Office: Inspiration taken from the circular shape of Oriflame’s well- known logo, round patterns in the carpets, a curved reception desk and curved walls clad in wooden panels give the entrance a soft and welcoming feeling. Marking the entrance, logo wall is installed, opposite of main entry, with back lit stretch ceiling ( hut- shaped) above it to have a welcoming feel.
Colour has been added to the lobby through brighter features such as the lounge seating and rugs. This contrasts to the neutral white hues of rest of the office. All of the office spaces are majorly white but light pastel tones are visible in the break areas and the lounges.
Office Area: All four sides of the building have glazing with abundance natural light for the working space. Orientation of the floor plate is such, that the front and right side has the view of the main road where as left side has the view of adjacent building. Rear side of the building faced the service lane. So typically all the cabins were aligned to right, workstations on left and services at the rear side. All floors have different styles of meeting spaces. A conscience effort was made in keeping the monotony of the floors with colours and materials to reflect the brand identity where- in it was differentiated with use of multiple furniture styles.
To be sure the atmosphere is calm for concentration; general office area is kept predominantly white and uncluttered. Soft pastels and accents of brighter colours are given in the lounges to create variation and visual interest. No false ceiling is done anywhere. Exposed ceiling painted in pastel colour pink, with pendent light fixtures everywhere.
The first floor houses the operations and legal team. Their work process engages staff in meetings, tasks and timelines, which is why different types of meeting rooms are designed for this floor. Through the lift lobby, one enters directly in the working zone. A lounge space is created in the centre of the workstations opposite to the entrance so that the visitor does not directly see the workstations. Also, people working do not get disturbed by the continuous entry and exit from the lift lobby. A meeting pod is placed behind the lounge seating to have
quick and casual collaborations with guest or staff. Different hanging lights are given above the lounge seating and meeting pods.
War room is a meeting room where teams discuss their project goals with a specific timeline to create the service or product of a worth. To achieve this discussion theme, two meeting tables are placed opposite each- other. Each table contains an LED attached to it for team’s presentation. These presentations can be monitored simultaneously for comparisons. Higher meeting tables with high stools are kept so a person can present sitting and standing.
Unlike the first floor, the second floor only has one meeting room other than the board room. As this floor is for the marketing team, they needed spaces for staff which can be used for brainstorming and creative working. Silent rooms of size 1.2mx1.2m area designed for people who wanted to work alone in peace. Taking a break from the rest, going in your personal creative space is important for designing. The same is achieved by it. Silent rooms have fabric panelling on all walls to help in acoustics. To mark it different from workstation area, single globe light is hung inside. A small stool with a high coffee table is kept for working.
Collaboration lounge is provided in front of the entrance to the floor similar to other floors. This floor is differentiated by the skin room. It is a room with mirror and display for products, where clients/ staff can come and try on new products.
One enters to a lounge seating space which has a free standing brand logo. No breakout space is given on other floors, so that everybody can relax together at one place. VP India believes in team building and collaboration. So it was his idea to have one large breakout- cumcollaboration space. The same is given on the third floor. Third floor comprises of all the senior staff with least number of Workstations.
Collaboration area consists of a meeting table, two single seating pods and lounge seating with smart screen. A small pantry with high table and bar stools is given to have drinks and coffee. Following the neutral interior scheme, only texture of the walls is changed in collaboration zone. Walls are finished in brick tiles painted in white to have a rustic and casual feel to the space.