Gateway to Smarter Workspace: Innovative Design or Progressive Culture?

The most debated question doing rounds is Design or Culture, what makes a smart workspace? The answer to this question can not be a single word. Design and culture are interdependent and integrated. They are not two independent topics that we can segregate them and evaluate

which one contributes to a smarter workspace. It is to be understood that design and culture

equally influence a workspace, whether towards a smarter one or not can only be answered if you read till the end.

For us to determine which one is the more significant influencer, let us be clear with what is a smart and modern workspace. Gone are the days where cubicles marked the spaces of employees, cabinets used to be full of snacks, and there was only black coffee available in the office kitchen. Those are days we left behind not too long ago. Now it is all about large windows, natural light coming in that energize employees, large spaces so that you don’t feel confined and open spaces to refresh your mind and break the monotony.

As estimated, workers of 2018-19 have a workspace of about 60 to 150sq.ft, but just a few years ago it was measured about 225sq.ft per employee. This is where design becomes a determining factor, the design of a modern workspace is ever evolving companies are trying to fit in more employees in a less amount of space to increase productivity. It is because the big MNCs are more concerned about profit than actually looking after the employees. The design here is a determining factor of the welfare of the employees.

We often come across the term ‘corporate culture’. This refers to the culture of the corporate sector, and yes, it also a huge determining factor for a smarter workspace. Millennial are not very comfortable with the 9 to 5 culture as they feel suffocated, and this reduces their productivity. This culture is not suitable for them as they can be more productive working from a coffee shop or in their home. This not only gives them their desired environment, but also the company gets its desired outcome. Another cultural aspect is collaboration. Everyone can perform well individually, but working in a team needs certain skill sets. This way, partnerships are made by various departments so that there are intermixing of office culture.

Both design and culture play an equal roll in making a smarter workspace as they are complementary to each other. Hence, it is not about Design Vs. Culture is all about blending in the right amount of Design and Culture.

---

What’s Really Driving the Rise of Future-Ready Office Hubs in India

The idea of the modern office is changing rapidly across India. A few years ago, commercial real estate was largely about location, floor space and rentals. Today, businesses are looking for something much deeper. They want workplaces that improve employee wellbeing, support flexibility, encourage collaboration and help companies align with long-term sustainability goals.

This shift is quietly reshaping India’s commercial real estate market.

Across major cities, developers are now building office hubs that function less like conventional business parks and more like integrated ecosystems. Technology, wellness, sustainability and experience are becoming central to how these spaces are designed and marketed.

One of the biggest drivers behind this transformation is the growing awareness around environmental sustainability. According to Savills India’s report, The Circular Leap: Reimagining India’s Office Fit-Outs, adopting modular office designs, reusable materials and lifecycle-based planning can reduce embodied carbon emissions by nearly 25 to 55 percent at the project level. The report also highlights that the built environment contributes almost 30 to 40 percent of annual global carbon emissions, while office interiors alone can sometimes generate emissions comparable to a building’s core construction.

As climate conversations move from boardrooms into actual business decisions, companies are becoming far more conscious about the spaces they occupy.

At the same time, employee wellbeing has emerged as a major factor influencing office design. Businesses are now recognising that healthier workplaces directly affect productivity, creativity and long-term employee satisfaction. Features such as advanced air purification systems, natural lighting, touchless access, AI-driven infrastructure and wellness-focused amenities are increasingly becoming expected rather than optional.

Mr. Shilpin Tater, Managing Director of Superb Realty, believes this change reflects a broader evolution in workplace expectations. “Businesses today are no longer looking at office spaces as just operational assets. They want environments that combine smart technology, sustainability, seamless connectivity and healthier indoor conditions. Air quality, in particular, has become an important consideration because companies understand its direct impact on employee health, focus and workplace productivity. Modern commercial developments are slowly evolving into intelligent ecosystems designed around both efficiency and human experience,” he says.

The growing importance of ESG-led corporate strategies is also influencing leasing decisions across the market. Green-certified office developments equipped with energy-efficient systems, digital infrastructure and wellness-oriented designs are attracting stronger interest from both Indian and multinational occupiers.

Mr. Rohan Shukla, Director and Chief Civil Officer at DGS Group, says companies are now balancing operational needs with employee expectations more carefully than before. “The definition of a successful office space has changed significantly. Companies want work environments that support collaboration, flexibility and long-term business continuity while also improving employee wellbeing. We are also seeing strong momentum in emerging business districts connected through large infrastructure upgrades, where developers now have the opportunity to build completely future-ready commercial ecosystems,” he explains.

Industry experts also point out that flexibility has become one of the defining characteristics of modern office demand. Businesses today want scalable spaces that can evolve with changing team sizes, hybrid work models and operational priorities. This has encouraged developers to create projects with adaptable layouts, co-working integration, advanced technology systems and stronger lifestyle infrastructure.

According to Mr. Nihar Jayesh Thakkar, Founder of The Mandate House Pvt. Ltd., workplaces are increasingly becoming an extension of company culture itself. “Organizations now view office spaces as tools that help attract talent, encourage innovation and improve productivity. Developments that successfully combine sustainability, digital readiness, connectivity and experience-driven infrastructure are naturally seeing stronger traction in the market. Going forward, the office hubs that understand people, not just businesses, will continue to lead,” he says.

India’s commercial real estate sector now sits at an interesting turning point. As the economy expands, startups mature and global companies continue investing in Indian cities, demand for smarter and healthier workspaces is expected to remain strong.

The future office is no longer just about where people work. Increasingly, it is about how people feel, collaborate and grow within those spaces. And that shift may ultimately define the next chapter of commercial real estate in India.