Smart Workplaces: Productivity Enhancement

A roundtable discussion on Smart Workplaces with some renowned stalwarts of the design and construction industry brought out some interesting insights.

It was a day of smart talk when nine industry bigwigs came together in Mumbai to deliberate upon aspects that contribute towards creating a smart workplace. The roundtable revolved around what sets these workplaces apart; the roles design and technology play in the quest to smarten up and get sharp; and their impact on productivity and performance.

Keeping in mind the significance of creating and sustaining great workplaces to achieve long-term success, Arvind Nandan, Director - Valuation & Advisory Services, South Asia, Colliers International, and Moderator of the roundtable, opened the forum to the panelists: “Design of spaces is often thought of in terms of the form, flow of spaces, mixing and clustering of areas, etc. But modern times are witnessing a huge amount of automation and play of technology.” He then raised the question: What factors come into play to make workplaces smart?

PLANNING SMART

Milind Pai, Chief Architect, Milind Pai Architects & Interior Designers, broadly categorised smart workplaces into areas such as “thermal control as for air-conditioning, lighting and security”, which can all be integrated together. Addressing the question and his projects with a green approach, Pai explained how the concepts of circadian rhythm - highlighting the natural 24hour cycle of life; and biophilia - emphasizing the human connect with nature, are woven into his firm’s work.