Awfis Redefines Workspaces with Global Design and Local Craft

As India’s flexible workspace market accelerates, Awfis Space Solutions Limited has emerged as a leading player, transforming the way modern offices are designed and experienced.

At the heart of this transformation is François Gramoli, Global Senior Director – Design at Awfis, whose international experience and nuanced understanding of local cultural contexts bring a unique perspective to workplace design. In this exclusive interview with Asma Rafat, Senior Correspondent at Realty+, Gramoli discusses Awfis’ design philosophy, the growing role of Global Capability Centers (GCCs), and how technology, sustainability, and well-being are shaping the future of work environments in India.

Awfis emphasizes blending international standards with Indian craftsmanship. Can you share specific examples of how these three elements are being seamlessly embedded Awfis' needs and local cultural nuances?

François Gramoli: With a design philosophy that merges global standards and Indian craftsmanship, we create workspaces that are both visually engaging and highly functional. Our approach focuses on blending culturally relevant design principles with local aesthetics to produce unique and sustainable office environments. We prioritize a customer-first approach and design innovative solutions that not only meet the current needs of Indian professionals but also anticipate future demands, all while reducing environmental impact.

Our "Design & Build" product provides complete, customized design solutions that prioritize both aesthetics and functionality to boost productivity and innovation. We use a people-centric approach, recognizing that a well-designed office, from its colour palette and furniture to its carefully designed layout, can positively impact employee mood and the overall workplace environment. We use specific colour schemes, biophilic design elements, dynamic pathways and art to promote well-being. Additionally, we integrate community spaces like cafe, lounge tables, multi-purpose break rooms and sometimes even podcast rooms to foster better social interaction and communication.

You have mentioned design isn’t about trends but about purpose and adaptability. What guiding principles shape your approach to creating workspaces that remain relevant in such a fast-changing work environment?

François Gramoli: Design thinking is a core principle in creating relevant workspaces. It’s not about trends, it’s about creating a lasting positive impact on the people using the space. It's a method for creating solutions that seamlessly integrate into people's work lives. The focus is not on knowing the answer but on caring deeply about the customer and their pain points. The company's key learnings from applying this approach include the understanding that coming to the office needs to be a meaningful experience, not a mandate, especially when dealing with various generations of users, all with different expectation of what the office needs to be. A Gen Z employee will have very different needs from a Gen X one. How do we design for all while addressing each individual needs? There is a universal need for both quiet "focus" areas and spaces for collaboration, regardless of gender, region, or age. By prioritizing a deep understanding of people, a quick response to changing needs, and more meaningful work experiences, we believe it is in the "human potential business," not just real estate or technology.

With over seventeen years of experience, including almost a decade globally and India combined, before joining Awfis, what unique perspectives from your past roles do you now bring to reimagining workspaces at Awfis?

François Gramoli: I worked on high-end residential projects and designed hotels in the United States before moving into the workspace design industry. I bring a deep understanding of the importance of the hospitality component into the diverse workspace environment, how bringing communities together and impeccable service are also at the core of the best work environment. My work across multiple countries and cultures helps me bring global design sensibilities. The prior roles shaped a unique perspective that blends strategic innovation with cultural relevance, enabling me to reimagine Awfis workspaces as highly functional, aesthetically compelling, and culturally attuned environments. This background empowers me to lead cross-functional teams in creating flexible spaces that promote productivity and engagement while reflecting our commitment to pioneering workplace solutions.

Global Capability Centers (GCCs) are emerging as a big focus in India’s workspace demand. How is Awfis designing for the evolving needs of GCCs and other fast-moving businesses?

François Gramoli: At Awfis, GCCs play a pivotal role in our growth strategy. With Elite by Awfis, we specifically cater to the needs of GCCs and MNCs, offering sophisticated design, advanced technology integration, and, what I mentioned earlier, excellent hospitality-grade service standards. Our Elite centres are built to match global benchmarks, with features such as private focus pods, executive suites, meditation zones, high-tech enabled meeting and conference rooms and of course our concierge services—ensuring we deliver both high performance and an elevated workplace experience. Through our Design & Build vertical, we create customised workspaces for GCCs that align with workforce behaviour, technology requirements, and compliance needs. This includes standalone facilities, secure access, custom fit-outs, and enterprise-grade governance frameworks. We also leverage our Managed Aggregation model to scale efficiently and address large-scale GCC demand across Tier-1 and Tier-2 hubs. By combining global design sensibilities with local execution, we have successfully partnered with marquee GCC clients such as Meltwater, eBay, ABC Fitness and Zinnov.

Technology integration, employee well-being, and sustainability are central to your design philosophy. Can you share specific examples of how these three elements are being seamlessly embedded into Awfis workspaces?

François Gramoli: At Awfis, technology integration, employee well-being, and sustainability are at the heart of our design philosophy, and we embed these seamlessly across our workspaces.

Employee well-being: Our workspaces are designed with biophilic principles, wellness-focused layouts, and dedicated meditation zones called “Zen Rooms” to nurture holistic well-being. We also create vibrant communities through fitness challenges and curated events. Guided by design thinking, we balance “Me & We” spaces—quiet areas for focus alongside collaborative zones so employees experience connection, intention, and ease at work.

Sustainability: We prioritise eco-conscious design with energy-efficient systems such as LED lighting, motion sensors, daylight-responsive controls, use of sustainable materials, indoor greenery, and water conservation features like dual flush and low-flow faucets. We are also looking at new sustainable base materials to be part of our in-house libraries and suggest such alternatives to our clients as well. Our participation in Accenture’s Supplier Decarbonisation Programme and pursuit of WELL Building certification reflect our commitment to creating responsible, future-ready workspaces.

Technology integration: Through Awfis TechLabs, we deliver enterprise-grade IT solutions such as Internet Leased Lines, wired and wireless infrastructure, AV systems, and dedicated helpdesk support to ensure secure, high-uptime operations. Smart tools, such as HVAC controllers and central AV systems, further enhance efficiency and facilitate seamless workspace management.

As India’s largest flexible workspace network, Awfis caters to diverse clients. How do you ensure each space reflects a company’s unique identity while maintaining Awfis’ overarching design ethos?

François Gramoli: Awfis follows a design-led, client-centric approach, beginning with deep engagement to understand each client’s brand, culture, and operational objectives. Our in-house design and build teams translate these insights into layouts, material choices, and spatial planning that authentically reflect each company’s identity.

Our three-tiered brand architecture—Awfis (core), Awfis Gold and Elite by Awfis offers flexibility while ensuring a consistent standard of quality and experience. For enterprises and GCCs, we go further by delivering fully customised managed offices that capture the brand ethos while meeting compliance, security, and technology requirements.

At the foundation of all our work is an ethos of human-centered design. Every Awfis space strikes a balance between aesthetics and functionality, embeds sustainability principles and prioritises employee experience. We are not simply building offices; we are designing for human potential, creating workspaces that feel personal while remaining true to Awfis’ unified design philosophy.