Redefining Form, Fluidity & Function – Arkiplan International’s New Office, Gurugram, Arkiplan International

Somebody wise once said that “We are what we see. We are a product of our surroundings” and it’s a fact universally acknowledged that our surroundings affect our mood, productivity and creativity. The designers at Arkiplan International took this as their concept and designed the office with an abundance of spaces, that range from private and communal to formal and casual, to give the creative minds behind the firm an environment that keeps their creativity, energy and spirit scales high. It also sums up the vision behind the design of the office which was to create an iconic and inspiring atmosphere for the employees.

Based on applications of the Internet of Things, Arkiplan’s new ‘self-learning office’ is a legitimate example of what an intelligent use of the modern day technology looks and feels like. Lights that work on occupancy schedules keeping in mind daylight savings, blinds that sway with the sun and cameras that stream real-time footage, all of it is based on the proprietary technology of the company. Not just that, the facility is voice-controlled and compatible with Google Home and Amazon Alexa. The office is connected in its entirety to a network with intelligent and adaptable software. At a fundamental level, such intelligence would not only result in an enhanced experience but also pave the way for energy savings.

Prasoon Shrivastava is a vetted architect,project execution specialist and an entrepreneur.He has worked extensively on several projectsacross India, Middle East, East Africa & TheCaribbean. A LEED AP from US Green Building Council, he is passionate towards green buildings, earthen architecture and sustainable design, on which he has worked for various large-scale projects. In 2010, he started the operations of Arkiplan International in India. Over the years of working on various projects, he found out that the industry needs a new perspective towards design, execution, and innovation through technology. He has since been working very closely with technology experts in India and USA to improve the way people design and execute the spaces around them. As a firm believer of “we learn until we die” Shrivastava always ensures that professional learning becomes an integral part of a progressive entrepreneur.

There are different punctual elements that come together to enliven the working space. The office opens up to a reception donned by a parametric table with the backdrop of a green wall and faces a semi-formal meeting room in the tones of warm yellow.

Rather than confronting the open reception with the closed meeting room, a complementary, coherent whole has been created with a sleek divider. The formal meeting room, on the other hand, is a home to a corten steel word cloud that spells the verticals that the company functions in. The weathered steel word cloud and the sleek glass space come together to break the norms of the conventional and present a dynamic chemistry.

The office follows an open plan layout to foster communication among the staff and seeks to create engagement through design and design through engagement. With the open floor plan comes the responsibility of creating breakout areas, where people can get a few moments of quiet or concentrate. It has been efficiently catered to with several different quiet spaces. A stepped seating in leather finish granite provides the opportunities for spontaneous conversations and a creative setting for casual recreation and refreshment. The steps look upon a wall of human-sized sculptures based on the theme of ‘Resurgam’, which translates

to I shall rise again. It inspires people to look beyond their current struggles in the hopes of a blissful tomorrow and future. A separate breakout area, with a tall table and chairs, is apt for discussions as it keeps people moving around. The inclusion of various elements like wood, glass and marble effectively divide the open space while maintaining harmony amongst them.

Another major highlight of the office is the free-flowing office desk that always manages to steal more than just a glimpse. It was a challenge to get the table manufactured because of its soft curves and intricate design but not impossible. The table now rests in the co-founder’s cabin in all its glory. The unique stepped structure of the building also provided a terrace on the second floor of the office which has been converted to a garden with a variety of curated plants which includes a 5 ft high bonsai. A continuous view from the interiors to the garden and from the garden to the city ensures that there’s always plenty to look around. The amalgamation of form and fluidity, formal and informal and open and closed creates a symbiotic balance between work and recreation inside the office premises.