Zyeta created a workplace for Udaan that encompasses the company’s growing workforce in one space to foster collaborate and connection for employees.
Udaan is a B2B e-commerce platform designed to solve core trade problems for small, medium and large businesses across India. Udaan brings its users the power of technology to grow their business. As the company grew, there was an urgent requirement for more space so Udaan hired Zyeta to develop an ideal design for its new office. Udaan wanted its workplace to not just look good, but also to exhibit the best standards of workplace wellness and become a hub for all its branch offices.
The Zyeta designers centered the design of the space around an urban city theme that includes ‘The Park’, ‘Commercial Districts’, ‘Culture’, ‘Transit’ and ‘The Garage,’ as the different sections of the office space. The objective of this theme is to create a community spirit between employees as well as between employees and the space.
The office is spread over four floors, each depicting a different story and theme that connects the employees in an engaging and interactive workplace design. The ground floor represents ‘City Gardens’ and espouses natural elements; the first floor, by contrast, represents ‘Commercial Districts’; the second floor is designed on the theme ‘Culture’-focusing on music, cinema and the arts; the third floor represents a city’s ‘Transit’ and has elements like terminals, transport hubs etc. Finally, the fourth floor—which is the central cafeteria, is themed on ‘Garages’—managing to carry off a cool, trendy and urban vibe. The material palette is also synchronized with the theme of each floor of the township, adding a lot to its specific nature and identity
One of the main highlights of the office design is the inclusion of employee wellness in the form of spacious workstations, variety of seating, naturally lit areas throughout the workspace, use of biophilic design elements, addition of internal relaxation zones etc. The entire workplace includes vibrant and organic elements that transmit positivity among the occupants.
The goal of Udaan’s new office design is to give the employees a workplace that lets them work freely. With the right balance of bold interiors and functional design elements, this human-centric workplace maneuvers a millennial office setting that inspires, facilitates and assists the young workforce of Udaan. The office design transcends traditional spaces and creates a benchmark among modern-day purposeful workplaces.
When was the project completed?
The project was completed in September 2019
How many employees work here?
It is designed for 1800 employees.
Describe the workspace type.
The office is an open plan layout that has centrally located common areas and meeting rooms. The meeting rooms exhibit both semi-open and closed type designs.
What kind of meeting spaces are provided?
Meeting spaces are a combination of formal and informal spaces, which are semi-open and closed. These meeting rooms display combinations of seating arrangements; from formal office seating plans to sofa seats, benches, etc.
What other kinds of support or amenity spaces are provided?
Uddan’s new office is equipped with a huge Town Hall facility at the café and at the ground floor area which has an amphitheater. This space also acts as a multipurpose space that hosts a library, portal seat, one on one discussion setup, small pantry space. The office space also has wellness rooms, prayer rooms. It also has a terrace that hosts a huge cafeteria space to cater to the needs of the employees, recreational space.
Has the project achieved any special certifications?
Not officially, but it is designed around WELL and LEED standards.
What is the projects location and proximity to public transportation and/or other amenities?
The office is very well connected to public transports with nearby bus stops like the Harlur cross and the Kudlu gate.There is an upcoming metro station at Kudlu gate metro.It has easy access to supermarkets, restaurants, schools, and residential apartments.
Any other information or project metrics?
Aside from the look, Udaan’s workplace design is created with an extreme emphasis on employees’ health and workplace well-being.
Was the C-suite involved in the project planning and design process? If so, how?
Yes, the co-founder of Udaan was thoroughly involved in the design decisions. He wanted an office space that provided work-life balance for his employees to increase their productivity and focus.
What kind of programming or visioning activities were used to create the space?
The entire project was done using BIM. Zyeta also provided VR experience walkthroughs to the clients and the users to create a seamless process of design approvals.
Were any pre-planning surveys conducted to get employee input?
Zyeta conducted a pre-occupancy survey and came up with space privacy (acoustic and visual) solutions as it was a backend support office.
Were there any other kinds of employee engagement activities?
The staff visited the site during the course of construction. Zyeta also conducted a material survey to understand the employees’ reactions towards the different materials that were going to be used in the project.
In fact, the employees, or the ‘end-users’, were made active part of the process. With the entire design process being accessible to them. They were invited to visit the project site at the commencement of the project, in between the project and during the final stages and completion of the project.
Please describe any program requirements that were unique or required any special research or design requirements.
Other than the site study, Zyeta conducted solar and thermal analysis to identify the segments which receive natural light and heat during the day. These data helped in better design planning. Zyeta also used BIM to make sure the space making details were right and accurate.
Was there any emphasis or requirements on programming for health and wellbeing initiatives for employees?
95% of workstation receive natural light, easy access to common amenities. The entire space is designed for Inclusivity and diversity.
The workplace also exhibits a wide implementation of biophilia.
Were there any special or unusual construction materials or techniques employed in the project?
Natural and sustainable materials were used in the office. The major wall construction is done using the burnt mud-bricks. The common walls were made up of ply. To maintain visual connectivity and provide privacy throughout the space, cotton ropes, plant jaali were used.
What products or service solutions are making the biggest impact in your space?
Modular – Frontier
Chairs –Â Pace Seating
Flooring – Carpet international & Armstrong
Furniture – Motley, SK Sofawork, Designspace
Partition systems –Â Kubik
What kind of branding elements were incorporated into the design?
Udaan’s office space was designed around a central common area on every floor with different themes. The materials and colors were derived from the themes of every floor, like the market, transport, music etc. Colorful furniture and graphics were included in the design to give the place the industrial interior look.
What is the most unique feature of the space?
The most unique feature is the amphitheater seating space on the ground floor which connects the upper floor. It is also used as a small town hall for both the floors. The amphitheater is loaded with multi-purpose spaces: a library, a one on one seating, a portal seat and a small pantry counter.
All the common spaces are placed in the centre followed by the meeting rooms and workstations at the periphery of the building.
The central common space majorly consisted of pantry space, collaboration spaces and open meeting spaces, high tables, 3-4 seater round table informal seats.
Are there any furnishings or spaces specifically included to promote wellness/wellbeing?
There is a juice bar and health-focused café sourcing local ingredients.
How did the company communicate the changes and moves?
Regular updates through company-wide meetings and emails.
Were there post occupancy surveys? If so, what were the most surprising or illuminating or hoped-for results?
A survey and detailed feedback was carried out after the project’s completion. There was active participation from both the parties. Inferences and findings obtained from the survey were stored for further use.
The survey results showed an expected satisfaction for the spaces provided. The provision of recreation spaces was a welcome relief for the employees. The solutions for acoustic privacy was also satisfactory.
