India is amidst massive urban development, driving multi-dimensional growth across all real estate segments, especially commercial. The surge in office/tech parks boosts international trade and attracts global interest. However, this progress comes at the cost of collateral impact.
Rapid urbanization leads to a steady increase in commercial development, transforming cities into dense concrete jungles. Combined with the depletion of green cover, this fundamental shift in planning and large-scale employment highlights the need to adopt open-air work zones to reduce energy consumption and fully embrace sustainable technologies. These changes are shaping not only our urban landscapes but also the way we work.
Anand Sharma, Founder of Design Forum International, stated, "The new-age planning must challenge conventional workplace's time-tested but worn-down approaches. They must move beyond the prosaic requirements such as efficiently ventilated interior spaces or optimally-fit workspaces. They must care for the individual's well-being by including informal spaces or planning the interiors with sufficient greens."
"The integration of rainwater harvesting and recirculation ensures water sustainability, aligning with the broader goal of reducing the building's ecological footprint. By weaving together passive design principles, energy-efficient systems, and a human-centric approach, tech parks can redefine the contemporary workspace as an immersive, sustainable, and responsive urban environment," Anand Sharma.
"We spend large portions of our daily lives enclosed in buildings disconnected from nature, only to seek nature's embrace during vacations. But humans thrive when connected to nature. We are more relaxed and rejuvenated; it enhances our mood and soothes us. This growing awareness of nature's importance is pushing architects, designers, and urban planners to rethink how we shape our environments to lead holistically healthier lives," stated Nithin Hosabettu, Design Director at IMK Architects.
"People do not want to be confined into cubicles that do not let in natural light and ventilation. The benefits of incorporating nature into modern workspaces are limitless. Exposure to nature in workspaces boosts morale, alleviates stress, increases productivity, and enhances the overall well-being of employees. It also improves cognitive function and creative thinking, enriching the work environment," Nithin Hosabettu.
Tech Parks as Green Hubs
Bringing nature into our workspaces is no longer a trend. It is the need of the hour. Inculcating biophilia in workspaces will change the way people work. Communal spaces with greenery encourage social interaction, collaboration, and idea sharing. Users can take multiple short breaks to connect with nature, take walks, or interact with coworkers. It also builds a sense of community among coworkers and, in turn, aids in holistically transforming the way we perceive modern workspaces.
Nithin Hosabettu shared, "The principles of biophilia play a major role in designing nature-inspired tech parks. Abundant use of greenery, natural building materials, natural lighting, and ventilation have a significant impact on the users' well-being. Natural lighting can be maximized through expansive windows, skylights, and courtyards, which boost mood and overall well-being. By bringing in abundant natural light, the space will feel less confined and more open and inviting to the users. It can boost energy levels and promote cognitive focus among users."
"Biophilic workplaces—the spaces that integrate the green patches into the core plan—have been shown to improve employee well-being, reduce energy consumption, and reduce the ecological footprint of commercial real estate. But is India's real estate sector truly embracing this shift, or is biophilic design still an exception and not the norm? Nature-first tech parks can pave the way for a more livable urban future," added Anand Sharma.
Redefining Urban Work Environments
Designers elaborated on how courtyards, green walls, indoor gardens, and water features create visual links to nature within workspaces. The sight of greenery has a calming effect and can be particularly important in high-stress work environments, leading to better focus and emotional well-being.
Even while being indoors, a visual connection to the courtyard provides a calming break from the monotony of constantly staring at screens. The natural elements and open space offer a refreshing contrast, helping to reset the mind and reduce eye strain. The courtyards are conceived as multipurpose, configurable spaces featuring food kiosks around dining decks, outdoor lounges, coffee shops, and amphitheatres. Enhanced opportunities for interaction foster better work environments and boost productivity.
Green walls are a great buffer that helps absorb sound and creates a quieter, more comfortable workspace that promotes concentration and collaboration. Indoor gardens can enhance employees' sense of ownership and pride in their workspace, leading to greater engagement and job satisfaction.
Biophilic design improves air quality by incorporating plants that filter toxins and regulate humidity. Indoor plants, like spider plants and peace lilies, help purify the air and alleviate issues such as dry skin or eye irritation.
Natural materials such as wood, stone, and bamboo add tactile warmth, transforming tech park offices into inviting environments. The textures and shades of the natural materials create a harmonious palette that is visually appealing and environmentally friendly. Using the right materials in the right places can significantly impact how a space is perceived. These materials are biodegradable and reusable and also require low maintenance.
Natural lighting reduces reliance on artificial lighting, improving energy efficiency and supporting circadian rhythms. Natural ventilation and green rooftops reduce energy consumption and long-term operational costs. Biophilic design helps mitigate the urban heat island effect and lowers surrounding temperatures in densely populated areas.
Nature-Inspired Tech Parks: Models for Sustainable Development
Nature-inspired tech parks serve as models for sustainable development, showcasing how technology can coexist with nature. By combining cutting-edge technology with the restorative qualities of nature, they offer a blueprint for how cities can evolve without sacrificing ecological integrity. They not only counter urban concretization but also promote a more harmonious and resilient approach to urban development in the face of climate change.
Moreover, these parks can act as educational spaces, promoting awareness of sustainability and inspiring future generations of designers, engineers, and policymakers to prioritize green infrastructure. We can holistically elevate our well-being by weaving nature into the fabric of our daily lives, even amidst concrete jungles.
Setting an Example
VEE Technologies, an IT service management company based in Salem, Tamil Nadu, imagined the project as an 'office within a garden.' The 30,000 sq. ft. office is designed to be a place where people look forward to working and spending time. Interspersed with landscaped sit-outs, the design of the office invites people to step away from their screens and into nature, all within the building premises. The office for VEE Technologies sets the precedent for a sustainable, efficient workplace designed in harmony with nature and focuses on improving employees' experience and productivity.
The Eye of Neida (EON), a mixed-use IT office project, adopts an approach of intelligent urbanism by embedding spaces for both public and intimate interactions. The landscape is designed to seamlessly integrate indoor and outdoor environments, reducing the urban heat island effect through the use of moderate-to-dense textured trees with widespread canopies alongside a design strategy that offers pedestrian-friendly, human-scale premises. The project design moves beyond the conventional glass-box office, creating a landscaped street while offering flexible and adaptive spaces.
