The anatomy of good design

Let’s call him Anuk. Anuk grew up in Bhopal. His parents were government servants, but they put together every penny earned to ensure Anuk, a bright student, sort the education he deserved, Anuk, excelled through school, and got through the prestigious IIT, Powai. 7 years later, a qualified engineer, returns to his hometown. He doesn’t feel like uprooting his parents in their retirement and taking them to pursue his dreams. So, he decides to stay back.
‘You’re making a bad career move’ they told him. But, he had made up his mind.

When we design for startups, We design for the many Anuks, who leave plush jobs to be rooted to home. Who find it more lucrative to stay back and contribute to the economy of their own. So, when Startup X gave him an offer letter, he grabbed the opportunity.

Breakfast meetings and product launches, pulling off late nights and enjoying a happy hour with hot brews with colleagues – working in a startup is more than just a job, it is a lifestyle in itself. Getting to work on something one is truly passionate about, collaborating with people who become more family than colleagues, and doing it all from a space that exudes coolness and vivacity, are just some of the reasons younger employees thrive in startups.
One needs to cater to the fast-evolving work styles, constantly on work days and the collaborative workforce that characterise startups.

Here are a few learnings from a few prestigious projects we took up. For us, what we gained wasn’t just a project to showcase on our portfolio, but valuable lessons in design, and more importantly, how human beings shape spaces.

1. Designing for Activity –

Activity-based working options are extremely crucial to startup office design. Since a new firm , may not have sprawling spaces at its disposal, hot-desking is a more economical use of the space available, rather than assigned seating. Giving employees a variety of environment options empowers them to work in comfort and enjoy better workplace productivity. Cosy work nooks with bean bags and cushions are good for focussed tasks while open café-like setups or work clusters are ideal for team discussions.

What did we do for our client- Phone booths are a great addition for this particular startup– they are a quirky young team, and for them booths take up minimal space and are extremely functional for calls and teleconferences.

2. Light, cross ventilation and sustainable elements –

Light and ventilation are often ignored while designing a space. Proper air circulation and maximum use of natural light will make the space look brighter and boost employee productivity. Siyarch, extensively uses Biophilic design philosophies, to ensure spaces breathe. It has been scientifically proven that proper light and ventilation benefits our psychology, thus enhancing human performance. Along with proper light and air circulation, going green is something that every startup should consider. With each passing day, people are becoming more conscious and aware, and this sometimes reflects in their accepting or rejecting the offer to work with a particular organisation. In most of our projects, we have utilised the dictates of sustainable design, like our gym project colosseum, and also two very promising Bhopal startups. Installing furniture made from sustainable resources, and incorporating other design elements that help reduce carbon footprints can establish a positive image about the company amongst various stakeholders. While wall art, and frills are always fancy, but when you’re employee develops carpel tunnel syndrome, or a lower back issue at the raw age of 29, you do realise that, design doesn’t mean just looking good. It means, feeling good too.

3. Worth the Buck.

Startups generally require a budget-friendly outcome. Siya and her team decided make the most of everything that a startup office space can offer, be it office windows, grids, panes or even an unkempt corner. Especially, the unkept corners They created the perfect workspace in the most economical yet stylish way possible. The major element while designing a prestigious incubator was comfort and elegance – when both are mixed in the correct proportions, supported by the other design elements, a perfect incubator was born.

4. Spaces that motivate

Someone rightly said that motivation doesn’t last long, that’s why it is recommended daily!
You can bet that a company is on the right path when its office layout gives enough reasons for employees to feel motivated by coming across great words written on office walls! 
It is one of the pocket-friendly ways to inspire your employees.
We used custom wall decals or spray paints to write random quotes that defined our clients office culture.

5. Inspiring Discussion Zones to bring out the best

Vibrant discussion zones designed to inspire out-of-the-box ideas and creative thinking. We created nooks and corners dedicated to ideation and brain storming.

Why do we give importance to furniture in our design for young offices

Good posture and support increases productivity and reduces risk of long-term injury. Ergonomic chairs provide numerous adjustments to cater to different sizes and builds of employee. Even desk height and keyboard placement can have an important impact on the way you sit.

We believe your furniture reflects your business image. It can be a deal-breaking first impression or just simply exemplify your company culture. Either way it sets the tone for how customers and competitors will perceive the way you do business.

Our chosen office furniture influences how our clients manage their organizations. Whether it be the layout of their work surface or the size of their filing unit, without the proper furniture, it could be hindering their ability to work.

We have created environments that facilitate growth, and help employees and founders, thrive in a collaborative comfortable environment. We have ensured we cater to every aspect of a working human beings life process. From when he enters to when he leaves, he must have a sense of purpose, belonging and the zest to grow in his journey.

Just, like how we grew in ours. One design at a time.