Reimagining Offices with Hospitality-Inspired Workplace Solutions

Back in 2021, when Microsoft India’s Delhi-NCR employees returned to their workplace after the Covid disruption, they were in for a spectacular visual treat – its newly-opened India Development Centre facility in Noida took design cues from the Taj Mahal, making an ‘office’ feel more extravagant than a 5-star hotel. The tech giant’s decision to design its new office inspired by the iconic Indian architectural marvel epitomized how instead of being dull and impersonal, modern offices are aiming to transform into spaces where employees would look forward to coming in.

Post pandemic, a renewed focus on hybrid work, enabling a supportive work environment and employee well-being, combined with evolved employer-employee dynamics have compelled organizations to rethink their workspace design. Subsequently, many organizations moved past the mere ‘functionality-first’ workspace design; they are instead focusing on creating inviting, attractive, more relaxing and comfortable workplace environments. In doing so, they are increasingly turning to hospitality establishments like hotels, resorts and restaurants for inspiration.

It, therefore, comes as no surprise that numerous future-facing, hospitality-influenced solutions such as on-site gyms, wellness centres, meditation rooms, cafeterias, automated lighting and security, housekeeping and concierge services, ergonomic furniture, etc. are nowadays becoming commonplace across Indian offices – largely in those of innovative tech startups and Big-Tech operators. Just as hotels leave no stone unturned in creating unforgettable experiences for their guests, contemporary offices must strive to delight employees and prioritize their convenience and well-being above all else – this is the core philosophy at the heart of today’s hospitality-inspired workplaces.

Let’s take a look at a few more ways in which Indian offices are attempting to purposefully design immersive, opulent, hospitality-inspired work environments:

- Making the Most Out of ‘First Impressions’: Hotels have always laid great emphasis on alluring greeting areas or lobbies that can leave a lasting first impression. Corporate offices are following suit, making sure that their reception areas are also well-curated so as to be visually appealing and welcoming not only to impress visitors and guests, but also to aid employees in transitioning into work mode easily. Besides, many offices have begun replacing the traditional ‘receptionist’ with a concierge.

- Celebrating The Local Connect: Amongst today’s hotels and restaurants, it is a common practice to design a regional-focused ambience that allows guests to have an authentic local experience. Nowadays this trend is penetrating into workplaces, as companies increasingly appreciate the value of the local culture. Hence, new-age offices are working towards creatively providing unique experiences and work environments to reflect the local identities of their employees.

- The Flexi-Workspace Flex: According to a report by property consultancy firm Anarock, the Indian flexible office real estate segment is poised to roughly double in size by 2030 – from 55 Mn sq. ft. to estimated more than 100 Mn sq. ft. In sync with the meteoric rise of the flexible working, coworking and managed office culture across Indian cities, rigid office structures and cubicles are being replaced by innovative solutions borrowed from the hospitality sector’s playbook like flexible seating arrangements, lounges, open-plan layouts, collaborative zones and so on. In fact, hospitality-inspired design solutions are at the forefront of enabling today’s flexi-office operators to create a more productive and engaging environment for their tenants and members. Also, coworking and managed offices are great for ‘casual networking’, therefore necessitating an environment that is less uptight and more upscale than a traditional office.

- The Biophilic Workspace: Biophilia is about incorporating nature-sourced elements such as indoor plants, green walls, wooden floors and tables, etc. into the workplace. Beyond integration of these elements, allowing natural light to enter into the workspace can also be a game-changer in terms of de-stressing and uplifting mood and productivity.

- Social Hubs to Encourage Work-and-Play: Just as hotels have dedicated zones to encourage socialization, similarly workplaces can be intentionally designed to bring together people and leverage opportunities for collaboration, shared ideas, and relationship building, which in turn fosters a sense of belonging amongst the employees. Breakout zones, huddle spots, and third spaces can act as these ‘social hubs’ that would help employees in networking, winding down/relaxing, brainstorming, bonding with teammates, and much more.

- Personalization for Better Engagement: Creating personalized experiences to mesmerize guests has been one of strong suits of the Indian hospitality sector; and now, the workspace industry is embracing this approach as well. For instance, several companies are nowadays seeking to offer ‘personalized’ services and amenities at the workplace – including courses and workshops, cultural events etc. tailored as per the interests of their employees, in addition to facilitating private workstations, bespoke office furniture and custom accessories.

Interestingly, more than just providing design inspiration for modern workplaces, the hospitality sector is also influencing India Inc. with the induction of its cornerstone values and principles – fostering comfort and empathy, personalization, service excellence, and creating a memorable experience. A fun, inclusive and hospitable office environment, driven mainly by hospitality-inspired workplace solutions, keeps employees energized and motivated to go to work daily, and thereby spurs employee loyalty in the longer run.

Hospitality-inspired workplace design is not just a fleeting trend – its growing popularity shows that it is here to stay and speaks to a broader shift toward creating more employee-centric work environments to attract and retain top talent amidst today’s competitive workscape. In the near future, hospitality-inspired workplace solutions are likely to become a benchmark when it comes to building dynamic and future-proof premium workplaces.

(This article is authored by Shesh Rao Paplikar, Founder and CEO, Bhive Group)