Commercial Design Magazine, in its very first avatar, hosted its awards at the open lawns of Sofitel BKC on the 15th of December, 2022. The Commercial Design awards 2022 commenced with great awe and success.
Talking about the most awaited and exhilarating ‘Workplace Designer Of The Year’ award was proudly awarded to Ultraconfidential Design.
About the firm
Ultraconfidentiel is a French architectural and design company established in New Delhi for the past 15 years and working on commercial projects (corporate offices, hotels, retail, restaurants, etc) pan-India.
They have created designs and executed projects for multi‐national companies such as Nomura, Chanel, Nestlé, Accor Group, The Trump Towers, BMW, Dassault Aviation, Rolex, IWC, Ulysse Nardin, Mars Group, Swatch Group, Apple, Hermès, MBDA (Airbus Group), Pernod Ricard, Amazon, Nissan, Khaitan & Co, Mankind Pharma, Brookfield, Microsoft and many more.
Some of the key projects completed over the past 24 months are listed below:
| Project name: | Location | Complet ion Year | Area | Scope | |
| 1 | Mankind Pharma Head Office | New Delhi, India | 2022 | 125,000 Sq. Ft. | Design & Technical Development |
| 2 | Nucleus Office Parks / BlackStone | Mumbai, India | 2022 | 7,000 Sq. Ft. | Design & Build |
| 3 | Brookfield Asset Management | Godrej BKC ‐ Mumbai | 2021 | 18,000 Sq. Ft. | Design & Build |
| 4 | Monin Studio | New Delhi, India | 2021 | Design & Build | |
| 5 | Trilegal Office | Mumbai, India | 2022 | (55,000 Sft.) | Design & Build |
| 6 | Chanel Store | New Delhi, India | 2022 | (1,500 Sft.) | Design & Build |
| 7 | Rolex Office | Mumbai, India | 2022 | (16,000 Sft.) | Design & Build |
- Project submitted: Mankind’s office space
Ultraconfidentiel took‐up the design and technical development of 125 000 Sq. Ft. of Mankind’s office space, spread over seven floors. The end result has been designed as a state‐of‐the‐art corporate office space which has been aptly termed as ‘A class apart’.
The idea was to seamlessly carve‐out spaces for the various brand divisions of the company, common areas for gatherings, collaborative working and spaces to relax and rejuvenate. It draws inspiration from the progressive nature of the company to develop a clean and healthy workspace that favours growth and productivity based on its ethos. The consequent design is a sublime space wrapped in a white canvas, carved‐out from large volumes and voids. The dynamic office design propels the company’s work culture into a modern territory of future‐proof workspaces. The built form allows for a great view as well as an ample amount of natural light, the effect of which is maximized by the expansive use of white marble. The marble‐clad walls of the triple‐height atrium at the front entrance instil a sense of tranquillity and act as a buffer between the outside and inside.
A well‐designed space has the capacity to affect human behaviour. The open‐plan workspaces are strategically placed in order to maximize productivity and longevity of the workspace without compromising the privacy of the work profile. Utmost care has been taken to keep the functional and technical aspects as the primary driving factors for the design. The design promotes the concepts of teamwork and collaboration, thus intermittent spaces for collaborative working and relaxation can be found throughout the various floors of the office.
The use of brass accents was a crucial design decision and as a result, the metal can be seen taking the form of a suspended mobile in the triple‐height waiting lounge, as do the customised light fixtures and the see‐through partition screens across the office space.
The office space makes use of smart technology to facilitate smooth operations across the extensive built‐up area. Interactive digital screens in the guest area assist users with information about the company. Solutions like access‐ controlled cabins, sensor‐based lighting and wireless chargers integrated within the workstations make for a future‐ ready modern workspace.
Workspaces of tomorrow need to be flexible and adaptive to the rapidly changing trends of the corporate ecosystem. The new Mankind Head Office excels in doing so with its adaptive, mobility‐oriented and high‐ performance workspaces that can be reconfigured to the needs of a growing company and transform themselves to host a variety of uses in years to come.
- Project-2 : Exhibition workframe for Nucleus Office Parks / Blackstone in Lower Parel, Mumbai.
On the 32nd Floor of the “One International Centre’s” New Tower, Ultraconfidentiel created “The Show Office” This space was to be showcased to prospective tenants across 7,000 Sq.Ft. area.
The design of this office is meant to draw and define a future‐proof workplace as to show the potentiality of the building to the potential customers.
The visitor’s path starts from a bare‐shell space, a 2,500 Sq.Ft. area where the visitors can experience different workplace setups through Virtual Reality technology. The office space is divided into different zones, keeping the circulation fluid and visually connected through long and flowing light fixtures which guide the journey smoothly.
Circular and transparent meeting rooms are placed in the center, creating a filter between a Traditional Office setup and a more Futuristic Framework, which features flexible and agile furniture, facilitating the transition from individual work to collaborative teamwork.
- Project-3 : Brookfield Asset Management in Mumbai ‐ BKC, a high‐end office of 18,000 Sq. Ft.
“Cityscape”: a workplace urban scenario The spatial concept for the corporate office, starts from the roots and the identity of the company, translating the portfolio assets and infrastructures of the City into design scenarios. From the entrance to the workspaces, the visitor’s path has been designed as a succession of urban perspectives and striking moments. The meeting area gives a very solemn and high‐end experience and the sequence of the enclosed formal rooms reflect the city’s blocks division. The several collaborative and informal working zones create smaller neighbourhoods throughout the plan resembling public plazas, while a large and green lounge area was placed as a filter in‐between the reception and the workstation area, like a city softscape, giving break and relax moments and encouraging spontaneous interactions.
Key Feature: Material selection was carefully handpicked and reviewed to best compliment the space. The simple and natural material choice allows minimalism to boost the clean aesthetic look. The spatial configuration also allows natural light to be drawn to the common areas of the space, enhancing comfort and wellbeing, while giving a spectacular view on some of Mumbai’s most iconic buildings. Flexibility was one of the fundamental criteria of the design.
The entire space‐planning has been designed for future business expansion by incorporating areas where work desks can be increased by 15%. Workstations are height‐adjustable with ergonomic screen. More than 75% of the entire workspace is directly connected to outdoor views and biophilia, in order to respect the standards of LEED and WELL certification.
- Project-4 – The “Farm‐To‐Table” MONIN Studio
Ultraconfidentiel completed the new MONIN Studio in “The Dhan Mill” Chattarpur, New Delhi, A new B2B engaging experience for the French‐syrup’s lovers.
“MONIN is more than a drinks solution, it’s a way of living… a genuine brand experience based on our centenary brand values. It’s about giving pleasure and enjoyment by using only the best natural ingredients in the most exciting and creative way. It’s about authentic taste sensations and consistently high‐quality, first‐rate consumer experiences, achieved with a respect for our environment”.
Ultraconfidentiel was asked to translate the essence of MONIN into a new physical space where customers and people can meet, learn and engage with the brand. A dynamic space with lounges, live bar, private client spaces and a small office space with dedicated meeting rooms create a vibrant environment for the Monin experience.
The studio is designed as a fluid and connected space with two open levels.
A central “green spine” facing the different areas, widely opened to the mezzanine‐floor, providing a fresh connection to nature. The central biophilic island is a composition of indoor plants and herbs which can be picked by the visitors and used for the beverage tasting experience with expert Beverage Innovators in the customer lounge and bar zone.
This is a new and engaging way to involve the customer in the beverage preparation while walking the space surrounded by the company legacy timeline and material textures inspired by the French city where MONIN has been founded and still deeply rooted: Bourges.
Bourges is everywhere, in every small detail. The brick finish at the studio was inspired from the first MONIN factory and the medieval wooden walls at MONIN studio are inspired by the old architectures of the French city‐centre. The new MONIN Studio is a contemporary physical experience following the vision and purpose of the famous French Beverage Innovation and solutions Company.
- Project-6: An open office work culture for TRILEGAL a leading Law Firm of India, in Mumbai.
Ultraconfidentiel designed and executed a spectacular 45,000 sq. ft. workplace for Trilegal at One World Center in Lower Parel, Mumbai, Housed in an iconic commercial building in Lower Parel
“Commencing Alliance ”: A prospective open workspace which is hot‐desk ready
Crafted through a highly participatory design process, a communal versatile office space was created deep‐rooted in the values of the firm. Translating their forte into the visual character, a space that was classy and elegant was revealed. The design aims to incentivize behaviour by fostering the connections between the partners and their respective lawyers’ team. To wield the tool of hoteling and encourage collaboration, non‐dedicated seating workstations and meeting rooms were equipped to be booked via an application promoting alliance and coopetition.
The development of the office plan yielded a choreographed configuration of partner cabins along the glass façade and workstations with circulation spaces in the interiors. The usage of glass cabins helps to frame the cityscape and let the natural light seep‐in, benefitting the space with well‐being and a sense of being a part of a larger urban scape. A strategically planned client zone embraces materials like wood, acoustic panels, switchable glass partition and marble that would radiate confidence and professionalism keeping the conversations solemn and confidential.
From the entrance, a neutral color palette with pops of brand identity colors weaves the space into areas that unfold themselves into divergent volumes. Biophilia adds a splash of green and refreshment throughout blurring the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. The lighting design highlights the forms and gives life to every detail whilst adding personality to the space. A casual setting in breakout zones for a soft‐buzz of activity while overlooking the city and reading a book helps employees unwind and relax.
Ergonomically designed height‐adjustable workstations, huddle rooms along with multifaceted phone booths enhance the efficiency and productivity of the employees. Thoughtfully curated stackable and agile furniture on casters in the cafeteria doubles‐up the usability of the space into a training room with projector facilities, enabling work optimization of space. Flexibility and openness have been one of the major design intents. Translating the same, pivotal fluted glass doors in the cafeteria and VIP dining lounge open‐up and enclose the space making it dramatic and responsive to the need.
- Project-7: Chanel Store – New Delhi
Design guidelines were considered as the Bible for the project in terms of materials and brand cohesion in space. These were adapted to local norms and materials while following Paris design guidelines.
Meticulous respect of guidelines, attention to detail, finishings and timely handover were carried out exact as per requirement of client. The end result was highly Appreciated by Client ‐ It’s easy to identify the global brand of the customer in the resultant space. The major challenge for the project was working in an operational commercial mall with high foot‐fall.
- Project-7: Rolex office
From a standpoint of Rolex’s first flagship HQ in India, the space speaks volumes about the touch of class, the luxury aspects and most importantly functional luxury. The space stands out and is fitting well all the spatial requirements with special attention to every product and exquisite details in space.
Rolex design guidelines were considered as the Bible for 50% of the projects in terms of materials and brand cohesion in space.
The artistic value from us is the amalgamation of all the provided and proposed design elements in a balance, a rich culture and vibrant atmosphere, acute level of finishing and consistency. Multiple levels of sampling for precision, QC and wholesome design language was the key.
The first impression for a client and the user/ employee is the taste of luxury and richness of material palette is well experienced which in turn creates a strong connection directly with the brand DNA.
It’s a stage more than just an office space to experience hints and cues that generates a strong recall value for every individual in space.
Yes, the advantage in terms of the project tenure of more than an year is the real contributor amongst all the stakeholders; the attention to details and time to configure‐ reconfigure with multiple back and forth is the result of this timeless design
The design concept of bringing forth the client’s perception of their own brand into the space in an abstract way, was the central pivot during the mind mapping stage.
Yes, the design creates a sense of satisfaction as the final space is very near relatable to the Rolex Brand. Enjoyment in terms of openness is also felt throughout as the sq. ft. per person space is quite luxurious throughout.