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Technological advances in washroom design; Google’s approach to facility management;A peek into some newly designed offices The definitive guide to successful commercial spaces and facilities management
Total pages 48 Volume 5 | Issue 10 | June 2018 | `50
INNOVATE, COLLABORATE & MOTIVATE CO-WORKING SPACE AWFIS HAS BEEN FOUNDED PRIMARILY ON THESE PRINCIPLES, DIVULGES AMIT RAMANI, THE BRAND’S FOUNDER AND CEO, AS HE TAKES US THROUGH THE JOURNEY OF INSTITUTING THE LEADING BRAND
Published by ITP Media (India)
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Editor’s note
Silos, no more... In recent years we have seen a shift in thinking among companies – no longer are competitors seen as rivals, but rather as potential co-collaborators. We believe the rise of co-working practices have been a sizable part of this movement. But how and why have so many companies started adopting this approach? While in conversation with Amit Ramani, the founder and CEO of Awfis, we realised how large corporates are increasingly warming up to shared workspaces and benefiting from the agility they provide. Co-working hubs has given them the flexibility to establish satellite offices across the country for their sales force, traveling professionals and independent workforce like consultants, suiting their work-near-home and travel requirements for increased efficiency. As the world faces changes in the redistribution of talent, technology and work, the world of co-working will change as well. In this issue, we take a peek into the operations and functions of one such brand - Awfis.
June 2018 | VOLUME 5 | ISSUE 10 ITP MEDIA (INDIA) PVT. LTD Notan Plaza, 3rd floor, 898 Turner Road Bandra (West), Mumbai – 400050, India T +91 22 6154 6000 Managing director S Saikumar Group publishing director Bibhor Srivastava EDITORIAL Editor Rashmi Naicker T +91 22 6154 6041 rashmi.naicker@itp.com Contributors Anamika Butalia, Shristi Nangalia ADVERTISING Director Indrajeet Saoji T +91 22 6154 6024 indrajeet.saoji@itp.com Executive-Advertising Sales Roopal Mishra T +91 22 6154 6021 roopal.mishra@itp.com STUDIO Head of design Milind Patil Senior designer Vinod Shinde Contributor Saili Bandre PRODUCTION Deputy production manager Ramesh Kumar CIRCULATION Distribution manager James D’Souza T +91 22 6154 6006 james.dsouza@itp.com
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Contact: Roopal Mishra, M: +91 - 84463 05654 E: roopal.mishra@itp.com Indrajeet Saoji, M: +91 - 93202 85997 E: indrajeet.saoji@itp.com Published by and © 2018 ITP Media (India) Pvt. Ltd RNI No. MAHENG/2013/52810
4 | June 2018 | Commercial Design
Contents
JUNE 2018 Volume 5
Issue 10
14 20
10 BULLETIN
A roundup of the latest industry news from across the country.
14 COVER STORY
Amit Ramani, the brand’s founder and CEO,, takes us through the journey of instituting India’s leading co-working brand – Awfis.
20 TRENDS
With sophisticated bath fixtures fulfilling the highest standards of form and function, technology is transforming commercial washrooms that cater to some of the busiest facilities
32
25 INTERVIEW
Tim Martin, director of aviation and transport at Perkins+Will architecture firm, on why airport interior design should be intuitive and adaptable
28 COLUMN
Google is reinventing its approach to facilities management – not just as a service provider but also as a client
CASE STUDY 32 Fidelity International’s new office space mirrors the
company’s values and culture while conceiving a new social environment
36 The Imelda.inc office in New Delhi has been built as an experience centre, finds Shristi Nangalia
6 | June 2018 | Commercial Design
ADVISORY BOARD Our distinguished advisory board has been assembled to help guide Commercial Design to become even more representative of its community. Members have been invited from the highest levels of the industry to ensure that the magazine continues on its path of success.
Jagvinder Pinny Mann Sr Portfolio Manager, Microsoft India
Bhupesh Pathak Director, IFM & Asset Services, Cushman & Wakefield
Ajay Bhatt Assistant VP and head, Facilities and Estate, Godrej Industries
Joanna Gomes Proprietor, Designers’ Guild
Ar. Reza Kabul Principal, Architect Reza Kabul
Rajat Malhotra Sr vice-president, IFM, Jones Lang LaSalle India
George Mckay South Asia director, Office and Integrated Services, Colliers International
Deben Moza Joint CEO, Knight Frank Property Services Private Limited
Ar. Swapnil Sawant Director and co-founder, Worksphere Architects
Sameer Saxena Group manager, Property Administration, Mercer
Ar. Ninad Tipnis Principal, JTCPL Designs
Deepak Uppal President,Vatika Enviro
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8 | June 2018 | Commercial Design
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Bulletin
Smartworks expands in Bengaluru, becomes largest shared workspace provider in India
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martworks recently announced its new facility in Bengaluru, which encompasses a footprint of three lakh square feet and 6,000 seats, taking the company’s total office space to 10 lakh square feet in India. This is in line with the company’s committed plans to grow its footprint by nearly 400% with new centres in tier-1 cities, including Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad. With this launch, Smartworks’ centers in the country total to 15. These are spread across nine cities – New Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai and Hyderabad. The facility brought on several marquee clients including Tata Communications, Microsoft, Arcelor Mittal, Amazon, Carrier, Otis, Daikin, Lenovo, Bacardi, Jaguar Land Rover and OLX among its 250+ strong client base. While these companies can attain tailor-made offices via shared workspace providers like Smartworks and avoid the financial burden of a lease, it is also a tremendous opportunity for them to experience a holistic
environment to uplift employee happiness and productivity. With its motto, ‘Workspaces that work for you’, Smartworks aims to create a way of life, rather than just providing an office
Tamil Nadu leads USGBC’s list of Top 10 States for LEED
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Rank State Number Certified gsf he US Green Building of projects (in millions) Council (USGBC) 1 Tamil Nadu 118 49,153,982 recently released the list 2 Maharashtra 205 36,749,005 of India’s Top 10 States for 3 Karnataka 149 35,600,317 Leadership in Energy and 4 Haryana 79 30,927,777 Environmental Design (LEED), 5 Delhi 40 23,873,246 the world’s most widely used 6 Telangana 57 19,440,874 green building rating system. 7 Uttar Pradesh 47 11,184,070 This is the first time the list has been released in India and 8 West Bengal 21 10,948,316 it ranks states on gross square 9 Gujarat 25 3,210,632 feet (gsf) of LEED certified 10 Punjab 10 2,038,562 space overall. “India continues to be a leader in the green building movement and the states listed here have shown exceptional leadership and dedication to creating a more sustainable built environment,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO, USGBC and Green Business Certification Inc (GBCI). “India has seen robust growth in the number of green buildings certified under LEED across sectors. Leaders, policy makers and developers in India are working towards sustainability. We hope this list encourages the use of LEED and sustainable practices in more states across the country while driving enthusiasm among leaders to be a part of this change.” LEED-certified spaces use less energy and water, reduce carbon emissions, create a healthier environment for occupants and the community at large, and are cost-saving..
10 | June 2018 | Commercial Design
space. The brand is focused on state-of-the-art infrastructure, stimulating workspace design and latest office technologies combined with valueadded services.
LIXIL acquires Star Alubuild in India; forms LIXIL Window Systems
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pioneer in water and housing projects, LIXIL set up a new entity – LIXIL Windows Systems Private Limited, after acquiring 100% stake in DLF’s subsidiary, Star Alubuild, a curtain wall builder for commercial properties in India. The new entity plans to service both retail and projects segments of the building materials market in India. In line with the Indian government’s ‘Make in India’ vision, the company will manufacture products for retail business locally in their Manesar factory. The facility will cater to the premium homes and villas market in the country, which requires customised products and short delivery time frames. While the projects business segment will import products from its Tostem Thai Co facility in Thailand, which is suited for large residential projects that require well-engineered products from a single source. It will ensure last mile quality, since the pre-engineered windows will make assembly and installation on-site quick and easy.
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Bulletin
Experience doors and windows at Encraft’s store
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ocated at Okhla Industrial Estate in New Delhi, Encraft’s first Experience Centre is not only its biggest in the country at 5,000sqft but also the most comprehensive of its kind. It houses several departments – from R&D to fabrication and testing – as well as showcases lifesize settings with actual doors and windows. Elaborating about the centre, Maja Hoellrigl, group CEO, DCJ Group, said, “At the R&D centre, one can take a look at how it all begins – the beginning of making doors and windows. The fabrication department shows how a window or door is manufactured, while the window testing area is where products are checked for performance with water, wind, rain, etc, against EN Standard using KS Schulten, Germany test rig.” Known for providing accurate test readings about quality and function of the test elements, the German test also checks for air leakage measurements, water tightness and wind resistance. Hoellrigl added, “This centre will help bring us closer to our customers as well as help enhance the buying experience.”
New range by Renson
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enson, a specialist in ventilation, sun protection, outdoor and facade cladding, won three new international awards. The Linarte design facade cladding and the Panovista Max sun protection screen for corner windows won Red Dot awards. Simultaneously, the user app for the smart Healthbox 3.0 ventilation unit won the iF Design Award. “We are particularly proud of this award. It confirms that we can distinguish ourselves as a trendsetter in ventilation with innovations that respond to the needs of the market perfectly,” said CEO Paul Renson.
12 | June 2018 | Commercial Design
Schneider Electric expands its innovation led connected product portfolio
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chneider Electric recently announced the launch of its medium-voltage protection relay – Easergy P3 in the Indian market – an addition to the company’s portfolio of connected products that combines real-time analytics with advanced technologies and solutions powered by IoT. The product is not only focused on attaining optimum efficiency at a reduced cost of implementation, but also ensures speed in procurement, installation, wiring and configuration. With the latest protection and modern digital communication capabilities, the launch is a major step forward in medium voltage equipment protection and control devices. The Easergy P3 is also simple to integrate and operate for panel builders and system integrators. It makes every stage of the project significantly faster, from off-the-shelf product selection, to installation and configuration. The protection relay trips a circuit breaker when a fault is detected and is designed to save operational uptime. The Easergy P3 is also part of the Easergy product family, a modern range of solutions from Schneider Electric, which also includes the innovative, award-winning Easergy T300 feeder automation device.
BUILDING PREMIUM RESIDENCES FOR THE NEXT MILLENNIAL With creativity that knows no bounds and technicians that can bring it to life, we at Glass Wall Systems are bringing in a revolution in the luxury housing sector in India. With special projects for premium clients we are delivering homes for the future with technology, design and quality at the fore front. Working with Glass Wall Systems & international system suppliers, Embassy group is on the path of creating a better lifestyle for its residents
project : Embassy Boulevard Client : embassy group
project : Embassy lake terrace Client : embassy group
Cover story
14 | June 2018 | Commercial Design
Cover story
Innovate, collaborate, motivate Co-working space Awfis has been founded primarily on these principles, divulges Amit Ramani, the brand’s founder and CEO, as he takes us through the journey of instituting the leading brand
BY RASHMI NAICKER
C
o-working spaces have become a major factor in the modern workforce, and they’re changing the way people work. The concept has grown in popularity among entrepreneurs for one strong reason. Entrepreneurs, big and small, are solution seekers, and coworking spaces tackle the issue of ever-increasing property rents – a prevalent and growing concern in India. Plus, with rapid urbanisation, burgeoning traffic and increased travel times, ‘anywhere workspace’ became the new normal. Aiding this, co-working environments provide them with an inexpensive alternative to a traditional office. The year 2017 marked the largest growth in the co-working industry, and produced all-time highs when it came to number of spaces as well as members.
Conceptualisation With a foremost stand in the industry, Awfis India was one of the earliest players in this domain. It has gone on to establish itself as one of the biggest supplier of shared workspaces. Shedding light on its inceptive days, Amit Ramani, Awfis’ founder and CEO, states, “Business and real estate shifts primarily drove the evolution of such workplaces. Before we launched in 2015, Awfis was conceptualised in an effort to re-imagine what the workplace of the future would look like for large corporate clients, start-ups and individuals. Today’s multi-generational workforce seeks to collaborate, work from anywhere, at a cost-effective solution, without having to spend on a complete new office setup. Awfis made a significant impact in the co-working space right when start-ups and SMEs saw a massive
Commercial Design | June 2018 | 15
Cover story
surge in India.” Ramani adds that given the inflexibility and lack of transparency for a long time in real estate, the company turned the situation into an advantageous one by setting up as solution providers in the commercial realty segment. The commercial real estate industry is quickly adopting the shared economy model that allows consumers to utilise real estate on a truly “just in time” and flexible basis. The idea germinated during Ramani’s consulting days when alternative office solutions was the need of the hour and these solutions were widely accepted in global markets by leading corporates. And so, the inception of Awfis was driven by an unrelenting
16 | June 2018 | Commercial Design
Cover story
desire to provide quality workplaces at the best locations on a just-in-time basis. Initiation India is the youngest start-up nation in the world with 72% of founders being under 35 years of age. Millennials matter because they account for over half of the population in India. By 2020, they will form 50% of the global workforce. Shared workspaces are where they prefer to work because it maximises their productivity
with the right exposure, network and community engagement and without any organisational boundaries. With this in mind, several steps and parameters were outlined to streamline the purpose and functions of Awfis for the Indian market. The company‘s pilot launch was its very first centre in Delhi at Vasant Kunj. The 70-seater saw a lot of experimentation with regard to furniture, fixtures, cabins, activitybased settings and operations, as the team explored the right
EXPANDING FOOTPRINT Awfis currently holds a nation-wide network of 19,000 seats spread across 50 centres in eight cities and micromarkets, including Mumbai, Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Having witnessed the fastest growth in a span of three years, Awfis plans to establish 100+ centres with 35,000+ seats across Mumbai, NCR, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Pune in the next 18-24 months. The brand has witnessed a transformation in the workspace market, where conventional office users have moved towards shared infrastructure. Awfis has adopted a geographical or location-based approach to build a cohesive network of centres at prime business hubs and sub-hubs in major cities and tier II markets like Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Indore, etc.
Given the inflexibility and lack of transparency for a long time in real estate, Awfis turned the situation into an advantageous one by setting up as onestop solution providers in the commercial realty segment.”
kind of technology and solutions. It established a lot of learnings and helped gain insights on the workability of the concept. The Awfis team also conducted customer interviews for feedback. The insights, knowledge of consumer demands and market dynamics led the brand to eventually expanded across the country as well as by increasing its centre seat occupancy. The centres are essentially designed to suit the sensibilities of modern-day entrepreneurs. They offer everything – from flexible workstations, new-age cabins, activity-based setting including comfortable couches and beanbags, meeting pods and lounges, a collaborative culture as well as curated events. Creating a support system Working as a corporate support system with major players warming up to shared workspaces and preferring the agility of a start-up, companies like Vodafone, Mercedes-Benz, RBI, Hitachi, ShareKhan, Zomato, Practo, etc, operate from various Awfis centres across the country. Some companies choose to operate under a hub, establishing their satellite or regional offices in co-working spaces; some others take up seats to accommodate their sales teams; while travelling professionals and independent workforce such as consultants choose such spaces for increased efficiency. When big corporates are entering new markets to test waters, they usually start with relatively small and agile teams. In such cases, shared workspaces keep costs under control and logistics relatively easier. This also offers flexibility when scaling up or expanding the team temporarily without having to enter into long-term lease commitments. The growth story “From the very beginning, we thought of the developer as a
Commercial Design | June 2018 | 17
Cover story
partner and approached the whole development by partnering with the land lords. We explored different partnership models like straight lease, joint venture and management operator,” explains Ramani. With respect to designers and architects, his previous experience of managing a commercial interior design firm and partnerships with suppliers and vendors played a crucial role in the company’s journey. “We extended our existing partnerships with designers and contractors, who were a part of the same ecosystem. For instance, we‘ve collaborated with NCUBE for designing some of our Awfis spaces, whereas my association with Petra, a facility management
18 | June 2018 | Commercial Design
Cover story
could transcend the usual design sensibilities of a space and think of a varied user base with, sometimes, contradicting work profiles. Hence, the final concept is a blend of design and aesthetics that finds place in every user’s visual and psychological acceptance. The intent is for the space to radiate and exhibit the energy of today’s millennials, while still allowing them to see, touch and feel the raw ground of their belonging. Various design and material elements bring this energy and give an earthy and raw aesthetic feel to the space. “Building a speculative shared workspace for different types of customers is a challenge in itself and the correct form of design has to resonate with every personality who works out of our workspace,” elaborates Ramani.
setup, helped us tap into the existing ecosystem of facilities providers (housekeeping, security guards, etc). Eventually, we brought the three pillars – developers, designers and contractors – under one roof.” Crafting out the built space Today, technology has become completely unified into the everyday life for millennials. Additionally, employees seek out technology that contributes to their personal growth. Learning management systems, certification and training programmes, collaborative mind space that offers personal and professional developmental opportunities are some of the key desires that separate
today’s generation. With the fast transformation of the current workforce, the onus lies on using technology to innovate and change the world. With this in mind, Awfis designs and provides a vibrant and minimal space with a well-defined collaboration area, interesting furniture, installations, flexible settings for events, enclosed spaces with good acoustics and flexible meeting areas that can be easily reconfigured. The brand’s attempt is to build a futuristic space that resonates with new-age India as well as is dynamic in nature. Being a shared workspace provider, the interiors of Awfis centres require a much broader spectrum of thought, where a designer
Digital leverage Awfis, as a brand, enjoys a strong technological inclination when it comes to providing solutions to its customers and managing spaces. The company ensures that all its systems and processes are as automated as possible. The thoughtfully devised Awfis app allows customers to book spaces real time, opt for alliance partnerships and purchase F&B through its mobile wallet. They also have a chatbot called “Ava – Awfis Virtual Assistant” that allows customers to login complaints, share feedback and suggestions or utilise concierge services. The centralised Network Operation Center manages all IT installed within the centres – including access control and security surveillance systems, which are centrally monitored 24x7. The facility also monitors internet bandwidth, speed quality, air conditioning and electrical systems through a central location as well as manage devices remotely.
Commercial Design | June 2018 | 19
Trends
Fitted out in style
BY XXX
20 | June 2018 | Commercial Design
With sophisticated bath fixtures fulfilling the highest standards of form and function, technology is transforming commercial washrooms that cater to some of the busiest facilities
Trends
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odern public and commercial washrooms are no longer a mundane space. With the growing demand, exposure to international brands and appreciation of good design and quality, premium bathroom products have seen an exponential growth. Architects and facility managers are now expected to provide designs that personalise washroom spaces. Therefore, contemporary bathrooms now integrate technology with minimalistic design, while their simple layout weeds out clutter. Secondly, these spaces enable more functionality, so that users feel in control and can easily and practically manage the space. Commercial bathrooms are evolving from just being a cleaning area to a place one can relax, restyle and get ready to move into the crowd again. To give a metropolitan look to the
bathrooms, not compromising on functionality, fittings with crossgeneration design and appealing aesthetics are employed. Even though one has an clear idea of the design, during the process of product selection the latest and updated products should not be always be the ones to be considered - durability, technology and material quality are important factors to be considered. “Designing interiors for commercial properties is a
Emanuela Tavolini, director of sales, Europe, Graff.
The aerator systems in Graff’s Solar collection can reduce the water flow from 11 to seven litres per minute, with considerable energy saving.
Commercial Design | June 2018 | 21
Trends
elegance but also focuses on innovative technologies to ensure efficient use of resources and ergonomically convenient designs.” Another brand that also works towards this cause is Graff. The brand provides an option to fix water-saving aerators across all its washbasin faucets. The Solar collection aerator, for example, can reduce the water flow from 11 to seven litres per minute, with considerable energy saving.
Jaquar Group’s Master product portfolio that accentuates clean lines.
Rajesh Mehra, chairman and founder, Jaquar Group
iFlush, the revolutionary flushing mechanism by Jaquar can be installed directly in the regular pipeline.
complex task. While the focus is primarily on smart and efficient utilisation of space, fittings and fixture need be ergonomically designed, easy to install and costeffective. Solutions for commercial spaces primarily need to be sturdy, space efficient and water efficient too,” explains Rajesh Mehra, chairman and founder, Jaquar Group. Aiming to conserve Gautam Ghosal, managing director, Schell, adds that technology plays an important role in supporting these parameters by minimising
serviceable components; this helps in performance, low maintenance and easy serviceability. Sustainable usage is also one of the most defining factors that comes in play while designing and selecting products for commercial public washrooms. Automation features and intelligent add-ons, too, have transformed this space into a sophisticated one that also renders responsible usage. Mehra adds, “The advanced range of bathroom solutions in the commercial space not only has luxury, style and
22 | June 2018 | Commercial Design
While the focus is primarily on smart and efficient utilisation of space, fittings and fixture need be ergonomically designed, easy to install and cost-effective.”
High on efficiency With technology evolving at every stage, the latest in the market are products with electricity-free operation, purely mechanical, working at par with digital technology. For example, push-button technology ensures user safety and ease of use, and, at the same time, suits all bathroom designs and environments. Concealed plastic cisterns, framed concealed cisterns, vanity washbasins and self-cleaning fittings are products for which demand is booming as emphasis on world-class, luxurious bathrooms grows in Indian commercial properties. A product that works for many high level corporate houses is the Inspira In-wash range from Roca – an electronic toilet with minimalistic design and intuitive technology. Its features include night light, adjustable water temperature, user detection and self-cleaning nozzle, among many others. Commenting on the novelty offering from the brand, KE Ranganathan, managing director, Roca Bathrooms Products, says “Technology, innovation and luxury are at constant evolution to create products that meet individual demands and are in-sync with current trends. The range offers a wide array of products that help transform functional bathrooms into luxurious and opulent spaces.” In 2018, Graff introduced a full programme of new bath fixtures in
Trends
The newly launched Gap series by Roca.
state-of-the-art casting technology and artisanal processes,” elaborates Emanuela Tavolini, director of sales Europe, Graff With a plethora of choices available, it is the budget that helps one narrow down the selection of products.
KE Ranganathan, MD, Roca Bathrooms Products.
Inspira basins by Roca are manufactured with Fineceramic- a new, high quality material, making them easy to clean, 40% lighter and 30% more resistant than the conventional basins
Sleekstone, a composite material that combines dolomitic stone with a unique resin. “SleekStone features a warm-to-touch feel paired with a unique and luxurious smoothness with durable properties that make its surfaces easy to clean and require minimal maintenance. Each product is crafted using a combination of
Cost and durability Fixtures and fittings account for a high cost percentage in washrooms. Expense for fixtures and fittings vary depending on the brand, type of materials and the array of products one selects. Installation accounts for nearly a quarter of the total cost because the installation work in a bathroom tends to be intricate (for example: tile setting, piping, etc). Keeping the maintenance and durability factor in mind, Renu Misra, managing director, Grohe, talks about the brand’s StarLight
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Trends
scratches, making maintenance effortless and ensuring a goodas-new look for years. On the other hand, Jaquar’s revolutionary flushing mechanism, I-Flush, can be installed directly in the regular pipeline, saving tank space and cost, thereby providing ease in use and installation. Compared to a normal flush systems that delivers water at 13 litres per discharge, Jaquar’s aerator fitted systems offers the same solution with nearly 2.6 litres of water, saving almost 80% of water.
The Metropole series by VitrA, a high-tech and trendy set of basins, stands out for smart functionality in tastefully restrained forms.
Serhan Ateş Yagız, India Country Manager,VitrA
S50 bathroom series by VitrA is designed for everyday use in high traffic public areas, which pose a challenge in terms of cleaning.
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Technology, where the surfaces of all faucets and fittings are treated with a made-to-last finish. The long-lasting surface of all Grohe products is designed to be extremely resistant to dirt and
Servicing Bathrooms in commercial spaces need to be upgraded constantly with changing trends and time. As a part of pre-installation services, Schell provides a throrough evaluation of infrastructure arrangements, followed by regular checks and guidance during installation with a clear recommendation of product commissioning by company technicians. Also, given that these are common spaces with high traffic, they also undergo frequent maintenance and upkeep. Thus, companies today establish a widespread network of service centres to provide facility managers and administrators with timely and efficient services as and when required. Jaquar’s service network included 770 highly trained technicians for customer care across India for proactive and reactive product assistance. The brand also offers a 10-year warranty on its products along with free installation guidance and assured availability of spare parts. As a proactive service, they also offer Preventive Maintenance Contract (PMC) that ensures monthly check-ups and maintenance at a nominal price. With an aim to provide prompt services for facilities that cannot afford downtime, Grohe offers 24-hour service promise with a similar 10-year warranty on all products.
Interview
Have a nice flight Tim Martin, director of aviation and transport at Perkins+Will architecture firm, on why airport interior design should be intuitive and adaptable What are the key tenets of airport interior design? Airports are multifaceted spaces, where passengers want to have a hassle-free experience and get through as efficiently and quickly as possible. Our job as interior designers is to aid that process by giving them easy intuitive wayfinding gestures to find their next pulse point. Over eight million people pass through airports each day. While airports come in different forms and scales, the design and build programmes for them take place over a long period of time, therefore the interior design needs to be timeless and be able to adapt to the changing needs of the passenger and operator, even during the design and planning stages. From the point of view of
passengers, airports can be stressful, so the interiors should be clutter-free. We suggest a large gesture or moment in the design with smaller repeating gestures around the airport to make the space recognisable and memorable for that Instagram moment. Once a passenger is past a favourable first impression, they will start to understand the rhythm of the airport and the connections between the repeated smaller gestures. How has the airport design changed over the years? The aviation industry has grown significantly over the last three decades or so, and continues to do so year-on-year with passenger numbers going up. The industry is adapting well but it’s also more
process driven now. As technology improves, there needs to be a wide variety but not too much to avoid confusion. Some people are happy to just grab a coffee and a croissant, while others expect a fine dining experience. There are different types of passengers; some want to buy a certain watch and know where to find it, while some spend their time browsing. Retail needs to evolve to enhance this experience. We’re starting to see a 360-degree trend appearing, where technology advances are allowing the overall airport experience to become more socially conducive and better integrate with the local community. We’re currently working on the refurbishment and expansion of an airport in Saudi Arabia (confidential at the moment).
The iconic airport was built in the 1960s and opened in the ’70s. Back then, it was a real destination for locals and for those travelling to and from there. Families would drive to the airport to have tea or coffee and marvel at the oasis in the desert and the gateway to their city. But as the airport grew and security was increased, rightly so, it also meant that the airport ceased to be a community spot; it became a less inviting place. As part of this refurbishment and expansion programme, our brief is to get some of the social aspects back into the place, and get people and families together. People, who are leaving on a long trip or emigrating, want to be able to spend time before their journey with family and friends. This, of course, also has the added
Commercial Design | June 2018 | 25
Interview
benefit for operators because of revenue generation and for owners because their airports become more dominant flying hubs in the region. What are the main spatial design elements in airport design? As with pretty much all interior design and architecture projects, the understanding of the flow in the initial stages of planning is important. For airports, particular focus should be placed on the unseen, the back of the house areas, which are the veins of the airport, ensuring smooth running of the operational areas such as catering and baggage handling systems. Airports are demanding on the people who work there. To use the old adage, if the employees are happy, then your customers (passengers, in this case) are more likely to be. We carefully study the spaces to ensure that proportionate space
is given to the back of the house areas and the passenger spaces. We are also mindful that airports are businesses and they should be profitable. Retail is a big success factor in this with some airports being able to generate over 40% of their profits through retail. Add other pay-per-use elements such as lounges, and this number increases. However, it again comes back to encouraging passengers to spend in the retail area by ensuring — through intuitive design — that they complete required procedures in time. Even in any mega aerotropolis, we believe that passengers should not have to walk more than 250m without assistance or a point of interest. Keep them interested, keep them focused and happy. A 2016 research by Rutgers Business School states customers in a state of stress are far less willing to spend than those who are in a positive state of mind.
Which design features help optimise guest flow? As designers, we need to take the lead in coordinating all the requirements of the operator, MEP guidelines and security, and build them into the design. Give passengers a clear indication of where they need to head, what they need to do at that point, and what they should expect afterwards. We call them pulse points, which depend on the overall scheme of the airport, such as wall panelling and inset LED lighting. We also try to align pulse points with stress points in the passenger journey, so as to provide a simple direction. In one of our current projects, we have taken the architectural form to create a geometric pattern and included it in the floor and wall design, so that the interior is in sync with the architecture. But the strong gestures give the passengers a clear route to follow, similar to a
Executive aviation firm Jetex called upon Perkins+Will to design the private lounge.
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trail of breadcrumbs. Along the journey and at key pulse points, we enlarge or change the colour of the pattern so the passenger intuitively knows that this is a decision point and they’re clearly made aware of the options they have. At these points, we also have breakaway spaces such as seating, pop-ups, retail and F&B options. All of this is in alignment with the regulatory wayfinding requirements of an airport. While there is generally a lot of space and repetition in airports, you can’t introduce design features that are unnecessary. Designing a simple space should not be underestimated. What kind of new spaces are being incorporated into airport design, and are there challenges in integrating them? With airports continuing to have higher usage, there’s more pressure to use every inch
Interview
of available space. With many types of passengers, operators and owners, it’s important to make airports appealing to all kinds of people. Green spaces are becoming more popular within airports — research shows passengers are more relaxed in these spaces, which can be multifaceted and flexible. Concepts such as art gardens and children’s play areas are also being incorporated. We’re also seeing a demand to include exercise areas such as running tracks, climbing walls and even well-equipped gymnasiums. Even as snooze cubes and hotels become more commonplace, a lot of people want to stretch their legs during long layovers, hence the popularity of fitness concepts. What are the challenges involved in designing airports that experience heavy traffic? The space needs to breathe
Administrative centre in San Francisco International Airport shows a consolidated back of the house areas
with the peaks and troughs of passenger numbers throughout the day, as much as it needs to adapt with the flow. Arriving in a busy airport can be chaotic but people tend to follow others. So when a space is at its quietest, people often question, whether they are in the right place. A good example of this is the airport check-in experience — a large airport is designed to keep pace with peak time traffic, and a cuing system should be able to automatically change, based on live data picked up from arriving footfall at the entrance, to give direction-specific messages. Technology is being advanced to enable this. On the other hand, during quiet times, checkin counters should be centrally located with adaptive wayfinding to let passengers know that they are heading in the right direction. The same logic applies to security as well. While airports are designed for maximum numbers, we do have to question what happens to the extra space when it’s not being used. Is there a way that this can be utilised alternatively to give operators a further return? The backbone and infrastructure is in place, so why can’t a flexible space be made more versatile in its
function, such as a meeting point or a get together area for the community? How important is it to establish an identity that links the airport to its location? This is subjective. One school of thought is that the airport is a large faceless processor, whose sole purpose is to be functional and efficient. Hence it should just be a shell with minimal fuss. Yet others see airports as the country’s or city’s business cards. However, this is sometimes taken too literally, and can become gimmicky or themed architecture. We’re often involved during conceptual stage in debating this with project teams. Recently, a large airport that was under expansion and was preparing for a large sporting event in the city, asked us to revisit the interior concept. Our point of view is that every airport should have an essence of its location. It should be in the form of an identity which can evolve with the country and community it is set in. To reach a decision, we ask two crucial questions: ‘How does the world see this place, and more importantly, how do you want the world to see this place?’
Which new technologies are being used in airport design? In addition to the obvious advancement in technologies in screening, security, biometrics and self check-in, there are more quirky ones. These include the “help me” robots and autonomous vehicles. In retail, augmented reality and wearable technology are increasingly gaining ground. One of our favourite technologies is holographic virtual assistant or HVA, which is easily adaptive and programmable to guide passengers along their journey. This goes back to the earlier point I made about managing cues in peak times. At a recent industry conference, a manufacturer explained how some airports are using famous sportspersons or well-known local personalities to record messages as passengers are more likely to listen to them than a generic face. On a more serious note, passenger interactive technology should be adopted more to enhance the journey for travellers. However, an airport’s internal spaces, interior architecture and wayfinding should always be able to operate in its original state, in case of the very rare event of a power cut or system hack.
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Column
Pushing the right buttons
Google is reinventing its approach to facilities management — not just as a service provider but also as a client
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oogle has played a huge part in our lives — from classroom tools to those in the workplace — it’s hard to separate ourselves from the brand. The Californian tech giant is now entering the real estate space as well, and its director of facilities Darrell Smith was in Dubai to discuss how Google is beginning to influence the facilities management (FM) sector. “We are surrounded by a plethora of data and it’s now up to the FM world to use that data and make it actionable, and that was the foundation of our effort,” Smith asserts. FM professionals remain cautiously optimistic about the uptake of technology in the sector as there is an impending fear that automation would result in redundancies. However, Smith points out that technology is an enabler and mobility is the ideal use of technology working for the betterment of mankind. “Technology is a tool and a few years ago, they [different FM functions] were in silos, today we are merely putting them in a common platform to allow speedy execution. This is all made possible by the use of data and that’s where technologies such as BIM, automated building systems do things faster.” He adds, “One thing that we do well in the US is fuse technology with process — the ability to get the occupants and the FM teams to use technology. If you have not conquered that [synergy] you are wasting your money.” Smith, who is based in Google’s headquarters in California, asked FM operators to properly grasp and
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leverage the importance of technology especially with the emergence of IoT. “We are going to be left behind [if we do not embrace new innovations]. The biggest risk isn’t other technology providers in the sector, it’s the lack of decision,” he says. In fact, as director of facilities, Smith looks after Google’s physical assets, which are primarily located in the Bay Area near Palo Alto in California. The almost 20-year-old conglomerate has grown rapidly with the rise of its services and technology around the world. With it, Google’s physical assets have grown as well and the company occupies one million square metres of area and houses 40,000 full time employees in its premises. Most of Google’s FM works are outsourced to large service providers but Smith says the modus operandi will undergo restructuring. He says, “We occupy four million square metres of real estate globally and are growing at a rapid pace. We can’t manage our portfolio traditionally, it’s simply not possible to keep up. So, we are using data to transform how we operate, design and how you think about real estate collectively. We will be utilising this data, pooling it in and optimising our assets to make better decisions.” He adds: “We have 40,000 living sensors in the Bay Area — these are our employees — whom we do not want to inconvenience. Ideally an employee shouldn’t have to call in to complain about heating or air conditioning. We want to be ahead of that. Today, we are able to take data and tell us how systems are performing.” The process involves changing a FM
company’s reactive approach to that of a proactive one. Smith says that not only has a positive impact on the finances as buildings are running more efficiently but also ensures that the occupants are enjoying the experience of living and working in the space. “BMS systems are amazing tools but they cannot tell you when systems aren’t running as designed. [They are only able to tell you when components have failed or are about to stop functioning.] Google is fixated on the productivity of its employees — and using data can help mitigate several issues that can otherwise hamper working environment. If nobody notices the building and the environment around them, then it means we are doing our jobs,” explains Smith. Google is globally renowned for having reinvented the workplace and its facilities have often reflected that. Now Smith feels that the FM works at Google needs to match that to “thrill its occupants”. “To address this, we are in the process of growing the FM team [within Google] by 67% and setting up a true FM organisation that previously never existed. The idea is to create intimacy in the buildings, where the facilities manager can drive more value, get closer to the business to understand what its needs are, and not feel so corporate,” he states. Smith says Google’s other offices around the world, which are a lot smaller when compared to the headquarters in the US, have successfully managed to create these intimate experiences. And while it will
Column
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FM to match the occasion: Smith says Google’s FM operations need to reflect its approach to real-estate.
Life’s a video game: Smith says in the near future an IT professional would be able to run our buildings for the simple fact that building automation is becoming a video game.
continue to outsource its FM operations, the company intends to have more dedicated facilities managers on payroll. Google will be hiring FM professionals for leadership and operational roles,
including 12 facilities managers, six regional managers and a head of facilities, in the Bay Area. “Additionally, we have aligned our FM organisation globally which means one set of rules
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will be applied globally with the ability to augment according to local needs. Our buildings in Dubai are run much differently as compared to those in Africa or in the US. In the Bay Area, we occupy 200 buildings, across one million square metres, and we foresee the operations to be a lot more cohesive and consistent,” Smith says. “They [the asset management team] haven’t caught up and we are in a market transition right now, where real estate and technology are colliding to produce never-seen-before results. In the future, we might hire an IT professional to run our buildings for the simple fact that building automation is becoming a video game. And we will be able to teach him/her FM and MEP capabilities. But technology is an enabler, it doesn’t replace how you drive value in a portfolio,” concludes Smith.
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Case study
32 | June 2018 | Commercial Design
Case study
Creating connections
Fidelity International’s new office space mirrors the company’s values and culture while conceiving a new social environment
BY SHRISTI NANGALIA
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Case study
F
idelity International’s new office in Gurgaon is a creative and functional workplace. The former office of this global asset management company, which has been in India for over 17 years, was designed in the traditional style. Thus, with the new workplace, the challenge was to bring the company’s diverse employee groups together and to create a space that appeals to millennials. “During the design process, the pivotal goals were to fuel innovation and create a social work environment that promoted and supported collaborative experiences. Additionally, the new office space needed to reflect Fidelity International’s values, culture, purpose and attitude,” said Sunil Dhawan, director, Corporate Services, Fidelity International. SWBI Architects were given charge to design the over 2.5 lakh square feet space, which, across nine floors, would accommodate 2,400+ employees.
For the global financial services organisation, the idea of an open, globally connected, technologically powered office with no hierarchy and no cabins, not even for the country head, took root. Every aspect - right from the spaces designed for global collaboration and fostering innovation to co-located, cross-functional teams - was decided on the basis of employee feedback and usage. A well planned ratio of 1:2 between discussion zones to workstations provided a balanced work zone. Today, the new office is a place where technology comes together with design to create a social work environment created for collaborative experiences. The facility aims to empower its employees to choose their own space by offering unassigned seating and lockers. Additionally, the office uses state-of-the-art technology to help employees work most effectively. The facility is designed to be a high-performing workspace. The free and open seating design provides flexibility
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Sunil Dhawan, director, Corporate Services, Fidelity International.
and movement. The advanced technology and fully integrated audio-visual equipment allows for seamless working with the company’s globally dispersed teams. The open plan gives employees an opportunity to move past traditional workspace layouts and provides a variety of fluid spaces to prompt “corridor conversations” in the facility. The easily accessible collaboration spaces, evenly distributed all over the floors, provide for agile zones that
Case study
increase productivity, whereas the provision of height adjustable workstations offers ergonomic comfort. Fidelity’s employees have frequent “team-huddle” and “town-hall” meetings. Therefore, the floors are designed to be flexible. Using sliding and folding walls between meeting rooms and collaboration zones, some work floors allow for 90 to 100 people to gather together comfortably. Moreover, the food and beverage areas have been strategically placed away from work-hall spaces to increase mobility. The interior styling gives the space a contemporary and industrial look. High-quality, durable fit and finish were installed to match the company’s global office standards with a colour scheme that ignites a positive, regenerative and uplifting vibe. To keep with the design brief and global standards, a contemporary design with an exposed ceiling had to be employed. It was achieved using cloud ceilings, metal mesh
FACT FILE Project: FIL India Business and Research Services Corporate Office Location: Candor TechSpace, Sector 48, Gurgaon Client: Fidelity International Architect: SWBI Architects Project area: 258,419 sq ft Project managers: Cushman & Wakefield Project initiation: Fit-out began in July 2017 Project completion: Substantial completion in March 2018 Other details: 2,75,000 safe man-hours with 900 people on-site
ceiling tiles and perforated wooden panels. For a cleaner ceiling, a raised floor facility and deco ducts were chosen. The final look was supported by colourful fabric panelling, furniture and a customised carpet. The use of perforated laminate panels and ribbed laminate panel cladding aided in creating an aesthetic and acoustically sound setup. The project was successfully delivered, using highly durable and low maintenance materials and furniture, making it a robust and sophisticated workplace.
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Case study
The blue flooring in the showroom area brings in the material characteristic of denim into the space.
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Case study
E
All in the details
The Imelda.inc office in New Delhi has been built as an experience centre, finds Shristi Nangalia
vidently, when any company starts investing in itself, the clients and employees become more invested in the company. Inspiring office spaces not only motive and engage employees but also cater to a productive and profitable setup. When designed carefully, the office can also enhance the company culture. It is a medium that reflects and reinforces a business’s core values through functions and design elements. The client, denim business brand Imelda.inc, wanted a space that would similarly define themselves and their venture. The brand gave Spaces Architects@ ka the brief to set up a themebased office with a factory and showroom under one roof. The concept was visualised with denim and other materials (such as threads, scissors, buttons, etc) that are used or related to those needed to produce a finished denim product. The objective was to use these material elements in an abstract way to create an intriguing story. Since the space was a theme-based concept, each detail was customised to add a connection between the elements. Another objective was to create a setting, where visitors could connect the ideology and creative spirit of the space. With a site area of about 3,000sqft, the office is located in one of New Delhi’s busiest industrial area. Since it is accessible through a busy road, an entrance buffer area is fashioned to access the office. Upon entering, one is greeted by a staircase on the right and a corridor topped with
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Case study
MD’s cabin.
Double height reception and waiting area.
a customised ceiling element. The multiple ceiling fittings, reminiscent of a cross stitch knot, hold a light in the center. This corridor opens up to a doubleheight reception area with a rough grey texture on the wall along with harmonious maple battens progressing till the ceiling. This not only adds vertical scale of interest to the reception, but also connects the ground floor to the top floor. The light in the double-height space is made of a series of vertical tubes aligned in circular
shape with random light points in the tubes. The reception is furnished with a customised table inspired by a sewing machine. Adjoining the reception is the waiting area with a white brick wall texture and an eccentric rustic metal cladding on the adjacent wall. The material palette is kept neutral with predominant use of greys and whites. Pine and rustic metal was introduced to add texture to the spaces. Finally, an accent of blue denim shade adds colour and interest. The showroom was intended
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to be placed on the ground floor for easy access. It has been conceptualised to contrast with the office with seamless blue concrete floors that bring in the character of denim into the space. Accompanying the white brick texture on the walls, the ceiling is designed with maple battens having an elliptical light fixture to create a stunning focal point. The room is furnished with a table set beneath ceiling lights in the form of a thread holder, connected to each other with threads. The use of clear glass, instead of walls, associates the showroom to the other zones, thereby increasing the visual volume. Large glass door handles with denim cloth embedded on them lets visitors experience and feel the textures of denim. The first floor encompasses the working area, designer space, MD’s cabin and executive working areas. Being one of the core creative areas, the designer area is conceptualised in the same way as the showroom. A customised measuring scale runs down from
Case study
the ceiling on the wall to create a unique impression of skill. The architectural elements in the designer’s space successfully encourage creativity. The MD’s room was intentionally planned in the front part of the office in order to seize maximum natural light in the room. The idea was to give a warm, rich feeling to the cabin. Maple battens on the ceiling, wooden flooring, and white and grey textured walls tailor an inviting aura. The room also comprises of an explicitly
Designer workstation with a dynamic partition.
FACT FILE Project: Imelda.inc office Client: Imelda.inc Location: New Delhi Site area: approx 3,000sqft Built-up area: approx 6,000sqft Design firm: Spaces Architects@ka Principal architect: Kapil Aggarwal Project architect: Amit Bhatia Photographers: Amit Bhatia and Ajay Nirmal
1. Ground floor plan 2. First floor plan LEGEND: 1. Entrance area 2. Reception 3. Waiting area 4. Showroom 5. Accounts department 6. Conference room 8. Warehouse 9. Packing area 10. Toilets 11. MD’s cabin 12. Smoking room 13. Designer’s area 14. Double height area 15. Cabin 16. Studio 17. Sampling room 18. Store 19. Dining area 20. Pantry
designed display cabinet in maple and rustic metal cladding with cove light washing over it, giving it a rustic texture. An eye-catching screen has been designed between the staircase and double-height space using tension wires and a jaali visualised from scissors in a circular, abstract fashion. This screen is crafted not merely as a partition between the spaces but also as an artwork derived from the working culture and concept. The office boasts an open plan and light colour palette that helps enlarging the space visually. The overall vibe of the office leaves an impression of wholeness and expresses the potential of a balanced contemporary design.
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Case study
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Case study
T
The root of the matter
An olive tree takes centre stage in Emirates National Investment Office’s minimalist industrial workspace, designed by Swiss Bureau Interior Design
here has been a tectonic shift in how we view and use workspaces over the past decade. Companies are rethinking their approach towards office design and its influence on productivity and employee well-being. This is well illustrated in the case of Emirates National Investment Office (ENI), a real estatebased investment company. Inspired by architectural volumes, the design references industrial rawness. An olive tree planted in the centre of the office is a conversation starter, which makes the space more emotive. “We decided to place the olive tree as a central feature; it’s the first thing you see and is visible from all angles,” says Joakim de Rahm, principal designer and founder of Swiss Bureau Interior Design. He points out that people are craving for a direct connection with nature now more than ever before. The olive tree acts as a connection point, where the firm’s staff can gather and use as a lounging space. “It also represents knowledge, strength and unity, while also being a feature inspired by the ENI logo,” he explains. Apart from the fact that transporting the olive tree presented a logistical challenge for the team, it has now become the feature which best reflects the company’s ethos. The design team conceptualised the 723sqm office, using its premium location and panoramic views of Dubai’s Business Bay area to their advantage. Following the client’s brief to create a minimalist design with a muted colour palette, de Rahm rearticulated it to express an elegant industrial design language. However, the hard-edged characteristics have been softened with the use of plants and warm wood. The space comprises a reception, pantry, large corridor, majilis, meeting room, an open workspace, the CEO’s office as well as big storage units on the side of every work station. Since the overarching theme of the project is minimalism, de Rahm and his team created simple volumes throughout with the help of rectangular dimensions. “The biggest and most significant example of this task is the main black rectangle in the centre,” he says. “Its length features managers’ cabins, while also providing a visual flow of movement within the office.” Envisioned as an architectural building,
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Case study
A black block running along the length of the ceiling provides a visual demarcation between enclosed spaces and the open plan area. Clear glass and muted tones bring a touch of lightness to the office.
the space follows the brutalist framework of glass partitions that create a big scale and navigate the area with different spatial responses. “We’ve tried to expel the notion that offices are stiff and inflexible by modifying the structure and making it more adaptable to the requirements of the company,” says de Rahm. To achieve this, the design team demolished the entire wall around the core, which gave way to an even bigger open plan to create a more light-filled, spacious environment. Predominantly open yet well-defined spaces have been emphasised by playing with various materials and different ceilings heights. “The company cares about its employees and their space, so they wanted to keep the interiors warm and welcoming for the staff, while also retaining a formal corporate personality for visitors and clients,” says de Rahm. “Most
The focal feature of the space is an olive tree, which is the first thing visitors notice when upon entering. Exposed ceiling suggests industrial influences balanced with natural light filtering in through the full-length windows.
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Case study
Micro-topping cement has been applied to the walls as well as reception counter, juxtaposed with warm wooden joinery. Artificial lighting is kept discreet and highlights structural features.
A variety of materials have been used in muted tones to fit in with the serious nature of the business.
employees sit by the glazed windows to receive natural light, while the managers occupy the enclosed spaces on the opposite side.” The recreational areas were also given as much importance as the other task-oriented spaces. “We also incorporated design elements such as a raised floor, open ceiling, micro-topping on the walls as well as plenty of joinery works,” says de Rahm. Modifying the interior structure was made more challenging by the fact that the team had to work with a fixed budget. “We tried to bring in as much natural light as possible into the space. Every detail is designed with a purpose and the overall scheme attempts to comply with the daily operations of an office environment.” The material palette is
The boardroom continues the theme of contrasting materials sauch as wood and marble, softened by the use of non-toxic carpets.
decidedly industrial but with a contemporary flair. This includes the micro-topping cement finish for all internal walls, framed glass partitions, Dutch velvet, camel leather and walnut veneer, all of which complement the edgy theme. The ceiling’s recessed spotlights create a bright yet restrained effect. “We’ve used only LED lighting, which delivers 62% annual energy saving,” adds de Rahm. Explaining the sustainable applications in the space, de Rham shares that eco-friendly materials were a big consideration. For instance, the carpet was sourced from an ethical supplier who carries cradle to cradle brands. “It has no toxic materials and can be recycled or upcycled at the end of its life cycle,” concludes de Rahm.
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Products
New on the market OLOGY BY STEELCASE
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esigned by Steelcase, Ology is an office desking solution that empowers its users with a simple touch control to effortlessly move the desk up or down without taking their eyes off their work. In addition to this, its ‘Active Touch’ reminds workers to change posture with gentle desk motions. The ‘Active Touch’ system pairs seamlessly with the Rise app allowing users to create a profile with preset heights and activity goals, and to track their level of activity over time. Ology is available with an integrated rail that supports space division, lighting, power and work tools, which can all be customized to meet the specific needs and workstyles of the user. An optional soft edge profile helps to significantly reduce unhealthy pressure on forearms, and reduce feelings of shoulder and neck fatigue. Website: www.steelcase.com
VERDERA BY KOHLER
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GAP BY PARRYWARE
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oca - Parryware introduces an exciting range of bathroom collection – The Gap. The range offers a comprehensive options of brilliantly designed bathroom products including wide range of basins, WCs and urinals. Designed by Antonio Bullo, this collection delivers both a compact and functional style. Its wide range enables one to optimize any bathroom space. The range also has rimless WC options that are easy to clean and provide better flush down distribution resulting in providing the best hygiene. Website: www.roca.in
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ohler is on a mission to reinvent the bathroom with its three intelligent products. The Verdera mirror delivers shadow-less bathroom lighting with brightness at 1,300 lumens eliminating dark spots. Minimum 80 CRI (colour rendering index) makes it ideal for makeup application and skin care. The Numi toilet’s unique Comfort Height feature offers chair-height seating, and its built-in speakers can play customised playlists, radio to podcasts! Offering ultimate hygiene and comfort, the Veil onepiece toilet is full of tech features like personal cleansing, LED nightlight to hands-free controls of the toilet seat. Website: www.kohler.co.in
Products KOSMOS PARASOL BY EXTREMIS
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he Kosmos round parasol (left) has an ingenious design and opens out horizontally like a fan, but hangs low enough to provide plenty of shade, as well as offering wind resistance (wind force six on the Beaufort scale). It features two hidden magnets that keep the parasol open, and which release their grip in extremely windy conditions. For rain-heavy areas, a simple leather strap keeps the open parasol slightly inclined so that water can flow down. While the shade of the parasol is made from hightech polyester, which is very robust and UV resistant, the holding frame is made out of stainless steel to withstand extreme weather conditions. Website: www.extremis.com
FAZ PLANTER BY VONDOM
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panish company Vondom commissioned designer Ramon Esteve to create Faz planters (right) that can be used both indoors and outdoors. With faceted, modular shapes, the planters can be combined with any furniture. Its upholstery is available in high quality nautical canvas or polyester fabric. It is also integrated with internal lighting using RGBW LED technology and remote control unit for switching colours to provide ambient lighting in the evenings. Website: www.vondom.com
PAVILION BY KETTAL
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his new series of pavilions by Kettal (left) offers an integration to adapt to the architectural environment. It can be used in different environments, such as, landscapes, architecture, urban environment, waterside and mountains. Its minimalistic structure creates open spaces that flow freely into each other by means of light, transparency and lightness of the frame made out of aluminium. It can be teamed with any of over forty covers for indoor and outdoor spaces. Website: www.kettal.com
Commercial Design | June 2018 | 45
Opinion
Innovative approach Renowned Italian designer Paola Lenti, known for revolutionising outdoor furniture, shares its most important facets a brand, we have two distinct collections born from different production approaches.
How has outdoor furniture evolved over the years? In 2000, when I forayed into outdoor furniture, products were mostly made of metal and plastic. They were rigid, quite uncomfortable and with few variations in colour and finish. After research along with our external collaborators — and through the use of colour, structures in fabric, metal and wood — we developed collections of comfortable chairs and handmade rugs. For all of these, the choice of materials and simplicity of form is fundamental. From the very beginning, I imagined our outdoor furniture to be different, with soft and pleasant shapes, which over time proved to be suitable not only for domestic environments but also for furnishing contract and public spaces projects. Presently, more people feel the need to experience the outdoors,
Tell us about the technological innovation in the material palette… As a matter of fact, Paola Lenti achieved basic innovation when it comes to outdoor fabrics. We felt the need to have comfortable outdoor upholstery that had the same look and feel as those used in interiors. Paola Lenti fabrics are context oriented, it was a real intuition, because when we started working on them, there was nothing on the market with these characteristics. The fabric we created is produced with a yarn derived from a polyolefin fibre which, by itself, does not have all the characteristics necessary to be used outdoors. Our research led us to modify it to obtain the right performances. We also worked with universities and professionals, which has eventually led us to develop new outdoor fabrics each year. Plus, the end of life cycle in our products is foreseen to have the least possible environmental impact. We want our products to have enviable performances but not without considering the world in which we live. Our choices have always been dictated by an ethical duty, both towards nature and towards people.
and, therefore, have a greater tendency to invest more on and pay greater attention to open spaces. Bringing comfort to the outdoors is now commonplace, but to do so, a special care must
46 | June 2018 | Commercial Design
be taken — the most common mistake is to take an indoor-use product and bring it into the outdoor environment simply by changing the fabric. Unfortunately, it is not so easy. This is why, as
In your opinion, what must designers pay attention to? Indoor and outdoor environments need to have a dialogue with each other through colours, materials and finishes. Plus, welldesigned products do not lend themselves to conventions or impose definite characteristics, instead, they allow possibilities.