American Express
A Progressive workspace for ‘Colleagues’. Ultraconfidentiel designed the new head office for American Express in Gurgaon, Delhi NCR
In a defining moment for workplace innovation, Ultraconfidentiel has unveiled a transformative 4,00,000 square feet office for American Express that redefines the new age of future ready workspaces. With collaboration as the primary spatial design strategy, the workspace maintains an optimal balance between 'me spaces' and 'we spaces.'
Beyond Spatial Boundaries
The design brief for the new American Express workspace expected more than just space planning. It required an upgraded technology infrastructure and the seamless integration of a more collaborative environment. The objective was to create a workspace that supports a hybrid work model while aligning with Amex’s global design standards. The idea was to create a workspace that naturally draws colleagues back to the physical workspace. As a beating heart of the workspace, 'destination zone' acts as a prominent welcome area, dispersing the colleagues to their respective spaces while helping them ease into a normal workday and encouraging chance interactions.
Designing for Human Journey
Workstations are positioned near windows to maximize natural light and exterior views, supporting colleague wellbeing and productivity. The workspace uses flexible, modular furniture throughout, including height-adjustable desks that accommodate different work styles and foldable tables that support various configurations to meet changing daily needs. Biophilic design elements create a calming atmosphere and improve air quality. The workspace features strategically planned meeting rooms that can be effortlessly converted into private cabins, allowing for seamless same-day transitions as needed. This enables colleagues to connect and collaborate seamlessly across a global workspace.
International appeal with contextual roots
The look and feel of the workspace follows a design language that confirms leading global trends along with pockets of contextual elements and local culture. Drawing inspiration from the ancient art of Ikat - a fabric dyeing technique known for its geometric patterns, Ultraconfidentiel took inspiration from a powerful design metaphor. Custom-made backsplash tiles in the pantries and fabric upholstery in recreational areas were strategically placed throughout the space to create visual interest and serve as defining characteristics of the overall design.
Technology as Invisible Infrastructure
Advanced communication systems are integrated into the physical environment without dominating the user experience. These systems are applied with the most updated infrastructure to support modern work requirements. The acoustic design strategy tackles the inherent challenges of open office layouts. A high-performance acoustic ceiling system serves as a key design element, maximizing the heights while maintaining open ceilings and preserving expansive workspace views. This system is strategically coordinated with building services for optimal efficiency.
A Dynamic Framework
This workspace serves as a testing ground for evolving work culture practices. The project sets new benchmarks for the colleague experience within workspaces. By merging practical functionality with human-centered design principles, it creates a workplace that naturally attracts people to engage in shared professional activities. This solution tackles hybrid work complexities while maintaining efficiency, showcasing that the future of work lies in reimagining the possibilities.
