Workspace Design: Reimagining communal balance in workplaces

The design ideology of groupDCA embraces flexible and interactive configurations of workspaces in an effort to keep pace with shifting office trends. In recent times, contemporary practices are keen on employing transparent and adaptable environments to promote constructive dialogue and collaboration amidst employees. 

Responsive designs crafted by groupDCA cite an insightful paradigm of the new language of workplace ethos. A balance between physical and social infrastructure in a workplace instills a sense of place whilst nurturing community building and teamwork. These multi-functional spaces can be a café, breakout zones, a quiet room or even a corridor as seen in the design of Nando’s Office by groupDCA. A Long linear corridor divided into various interactive zones accentuates the spatial drama of the space, whilst providing for an array of open, co-working and individual space. Designed as per a brief of creating a vibrant and vivacious space, the playful and informal design of the workplace breaks away from the monotony of a stereotypical office.

Sketch of Nando's Office: A long linear corridor divides the space into various interactive zones
and accentuates the spatial drama of the space

 

The relaxed environment of such arrangements reinforces work culture in an informal extent and instigatesproductive discussions. With a pragmatic approach of crafting an egalitarian workspace, groupDCA's designs foster creativity, collaboration, and conversation. With 48-50 hours a week, every employee spends an overwhelmingly large amount of their time in the office. This emphasizes the significance of treating social spaces as premeditated design standards than just an extension of spare areas. These ideologies, if deployed effectively, compose inclusive designs that tend to the well being and productivity of its employees.

- Amit Aurora and Rahul Bansal

Workspace Design: Eliminating Hierarchies and Establishing Engagement

groupDCA's design philosophy behind conceptualizing workspaces is driven by a focus on spatial setting and disregarding traditional notions of professional hierarchy, thereby encouraging democratic engagement within the workforce. The firm strongly believes in conceptualizing collaborative and flexible spaces that do away with physical metaphors of authoritarianism.

Office layouts, over time, have come to delineate the culture of the organization, thereby lacking communication, whilst hampering work productivity and well-being. groupDCA recognizes the need for more interpersonal relationships, an environment of free discourse and communication of ideas. In a world full of static workplaces, the firm focuses on crafting spaces that foster creativity, collaboration and conversation in addition to promoting good health and well-being of its users. Dissolving hierarchal segregations to accommodate socially and physically transparent infrastructure is an integral factor in the design of these spaces.

By acknowledging the significance of socio-democratic offices, groupDCA’s designs recognize and reflect the growing trend of flexible workspaces. Open plans, economically efficient and flexible, have been interpreted to be employed in their designs, in a bid to boost team-work and co-ordination. This concept has been embraced and innovated in the design of Enrich Office and Academy, Mumbai. The plan of the office has been conceptualized as an adaptable floor plate, free of private cabins and physical barriers. 

The fabrication of interactive spaces, such as the discussion booths in the open cafeteria, functions as a breathable extension to the reception, thereby fostering healthy communication and discussion. Workstations have been aligned with windows, allowing ample glare-free daylight into the spaces, unobstructed by walls, promoting employee well-being and productivity. The office design, as a result, reflects the brand’s guiding philosophy, which is predicated on establishing a collaborative work environment that supersedes conservative hierarchal structures.

groupDCA’s endeavor of crafting office spaces that reflect an egalitarian structure can be observed in their receptive designs that are inclusive of natural influences drawn from social and physical perspectives. These designs eliminate orthodox norms and steer towards adaptive workplaces that are characteristically flexible and agile to suit the ideologies of a new-age work force.

-Amit Aurora and Rahul Bansal

ART OF DISPLAY

The walls are painted, the light fittings intact and the furniture is all set. However, for a space to be extraordinary needs to determine that one piece of special something that would bring up the visual interest of the entire space.

According to principal architect Amit Aurora of groupDCA, “The Art of Display is unique to every individual and space. It cannot have a set rule that fits all, as it needs to reflect the personality of the individual”. Successful displays are about character, composition and a pulled-together palette. It should reflect the dynamics of the user as well as space. Within the modern context, in addition to the essential need of optimal use of space, art of display is increasingly recognized as an important element; the eclectic fusion or mélange of elements should be one of the prime focuses for the architect/designer.

The Residence for Anands by DCA showcases these intrinsic qualities. The simplistic color palette accentuates the effect of all the other physical elements like the furniture and the artifacts. The balance in the arrangement of these elements is remarkably soothing. This is also an example of how lighting is of paramount importance to enhance the art of display and how all the elements in the art should complement each other to create a homogeneous story. It can be composed of varied elements but they all need to be woven together.

The Aggarwal residence also exemplifies the harmonious ensemble of displays. The striking contrast used with the dark toned artifacts and the light colored background helps in bringing out a powerful outcome of the overall composition.

Certain spaces can have a hero component where as other spaces may require a bunch of components that need to be consolidated to form one complete story. For example, the double height volume in the Gujral Residence by DCA has been ornamented with a stunning chandelier which hangs down and gives the space a whole new definition. No other element is evidently needed to support the magnificent effect rendered by the light fitting.

The Art of display needs to be well thought of, yet natural & progressive, it cannot be forced. The elements should not be artificial rather they should have a soul of their own and a relationship with the over all space. The flow and authenticity of elements should be the focus, only then can one create a conformation that is pleasing to the eye and can be truly called a master of innovating for blank canvasses.

- Amit Aurora & Rahul Bansal