Will Offices in 2040 be Inspired by the Kalpavriksha Mythology of Yore?
As part of a competition held by UNFUSE, KNS Architects drew up a futuristic plan for a fluid, relaxed, close-to-nature workplace
Ever wondered what the world might be like, a couple of decades from now? Flying cars, virtual homes, even robots for friends, perhaps? Though the possibility of all of the above is still a big question, there is one possibility that architects Kanhai Gandhi, Santosh Jadhav, Suchi Tana and Disha Mehta of KNS Architects guarantee – a paradigm shift in the design of work spaces. As a part of a competition held by UNFUSE 2018, the firm offered a unique design proposal on the future of offices in 2040. Taking the idea of co-working to the next level, the firm put forward a plan where an individual would be able to not only work, but also play, entertain and rejuvenate, all inside one plot of land.
Photos courtesy KNS Architects
Photos courtesy KNS Architects
Design revolution
For the office building, the firm visualised the structure as a Kalpavriksha – the tree of life, significant in Indian mythology.
People would live on it and off it. “Adding to this was another concept and observation that we wanted to incorporate in the design. A human mind always wants to do what it cannot do, one of which is flying. And this is what we decided to add in the design. We imagined the work pods as fruits of the tree, hanging atop – from here you can look at the sky, get a feeling of being on top, and also gaze down at the ground as if you are suspended in air,” explains Gandhi.
This Pritzker-Award-winning architect’s work showcases the cycle of life
For the office building, the firm visualised the structure as a Kalpavriksha – the tree of life, significant in Indian mythology.
People would live on it and off it. “Adding to this was another concept and observation that we wanted to incorporate in the design. A human mind always wants to do what it cannot do, one of which is flying. And this is what we decided to add in the design. We imagined the work pods as fruits of the tree, hanging atop – from here you can look at the sky, get a feeling of being on top, and also gaze down at the ground as if you are suspended in air,” explains Gandhi.
This Pritzker-Award-winning architect’s work showcases the cycle of life
Each pod would be roughly 15–16 square metres in area, equipped with a multi-functional chair. “Among our research findings we realised that people love to be by themselves and want their own space. Each pod, therefore, is an individual’s private area. Here, a person would be able to work, exercise and sleep. During times when he wants to interact with others, it would convert into a socialisation spot. The chair would be suited for multiple purposes – it would stretch for the person to sleep on or meditate; it would even open up for more people to sit on,” Gandhi says. The pod itself would have a glass extension that would flip over and become a deck.
Read about fluid, multifunctional spaces in the home
Read about fluid, multifunctional spaces in the home
Private and social space
Eight pods would be designed in a circular format. “So when you come out of your pod, you can start interacting with other people. We first decided to have one ring of eight pods. Then we decided to add another ring above it and then a third. So effectively, it started looking like a nest. A format like this would be ideal for a large organisation to take up,” Gandhi says.
Eight pods would be designed in a circular format. “So when you come out of your pod, you can start interacting with other people. We first decided to have one ring of eight pods. Then we decided to add another ring above it and then a third. So effectively, it started looking like a nest. A format like this would be ideal for a large organisation to take up,” Gandhi says.
The building is planned such that, as you enter it, at each level you would have to go through an urban, open area (a playground, a forest or a park) first. It is from here that you would make your way into your pod. “We realised that by vertically stacking pods, we were able to make a 7-acre plot into a 40-acre one,” explains Gandhi.
Find an architect to design your dream project
Find an architect to design your dream project
Ideal structure
The firm has accommodated housing and hospitality into their plan, as well. So a few homes, a hotel, a market place, theatre and gym would be right at the top of the building; the parking would be in the basement. For better connectivity, a metro could be especially routed for the building. This property would accommodate 5000 employees; it would be about 450 metres high, with 150–160 storeys. The entire structure would be made in concrete and structural steel. “A plan like this can be made a reality in the next four to five years. With the gradual shift in work culture and people’s desires to be able to balance work and play, a concept like this would be gold,” says Gandhi.
Read more:
Androgyny in The Architecture of Homes
3D Printed Houses: Our Future or a Dead End?
Tell us:
What kind of an office would you love to work in, in the next few years? Tell us in Comments below.
The firm has accommodated housing and hospitality into their plan, as well. So a few homes, a hotel, a market place, theatre and gym would be right at the top of the building; the parking would be in the basement. For better connectivity, a metro could be especially routed for the building. This property would accommodate 5000 employees; it would be about 450 metres high, with 150–160 storeys. The entire structure would be made in concrete and structural steel. “A plan like this can be made a reality in the next four to five years. With the gradual shift in work culture and people’s desires to be able to balance work and play, a concept like this would be gold,” says Gandhi.
Read more:
Androgyny in The Architecture of Homes
3D Printed Houses: Our Future or a Dead End?
Tell us:
What kind of an office would you love to work in, in the next few years? Tell us in Comments below.
“We wanted to understand the evolution of work, so we had to look into how man lived and worked 3000–4000 years ago. The prehistoric era was all about hunting, which, over decades, moved to farming. Eventually, the industrial revolution came about and more and more jobs sprang up because of that. Work hours increased and life became stressful. And today, while connectivity is great, it also leads to a sedentary lifestyle,” explains Kanhai Gandhi of KNS Architects.
During their six-week research, the firm interviewed people from different age groups and professions. “We realised that people are tired of their cramped and cluttered offices and now want personalised spaces that also have a sense of cohesiveness. The human mind is restless and needs to be stimulated in different ways – work, play, entertainment and socialisation, all need to be balanced. So, we decided to focus on all those aspects and see how we could come up with a design that synchronised it all. Also, inspite of advanced technology in 2040, our design keeps human movement in mind,” Gandhi says.