LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

LET’S TALK 1 LET’S TALK 1 LET’S TALK 1

LET’S TALK CONTENTS

6 1 0 2 LET’S TALK VOLUMEVOLUME 1 1 LET’S TALK LET’S TALK R VOLUME 2 VOLUME 3 E SUMMERSUMMER 2014 2014 MONSOON 2014 SUMMER 2015 M S U M CREDITS: EDITORIAL AND CONTENT - ANUBHAV GUPTA NAMRATA MEHRA CREATIVES - JYOTIKA PURWAR

THE MAKING GOOD BUSINESS SENSE BY DESIGN THE TREES | GODREJ BKC STUDIO DESIGN METRICS 04 - 21 HOW WE WORK APPROACH 22 - 95 PARTNERSHIPS SCALE SUSTAINABILITY ENGAGEMENTS STUDIO 2.0

NEWS & NOTEWORTHY 96 - 101

INSIDE STORIES 102 - 117

2 3 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

THE STUDIO

Vikhroli has always been a vibrant test bed for entrepreneurship, new visions, experimentation and innovation. More recently, the Imagine Studio and The Trees (GPL’s flagship development) as a whole have emerged as successful prototypes of a new way of thinking and delivering real estate in India. A brand new vision is currently underway – one that celebrates our legacy, encapsulates our values and offers the opportunity for brighter living.

5 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

DESIGN THINKING

DESIRABILITY

MARKETABILITY DES IGN W T H R? H O IS T F O IN I K I N G

DESIGN

FEASIBILITY VIABILITY CONSTRUCTION (BUSINESS) APPROVABILITY

most benefits from point out that design is The hypothesis of this MAKING GOOD BUSINESS SENSE BY DESIGN – design seem to only be not about design, well - cultural shift is based recognized after the fact as most people know it. on making our interface DESIGN THINKING DECODED FOR REAL ESTATE of producing the tangible Steve Jobs famously said - with complexity simpler, artifact and its subsequent Design is not how it looks intuitive, pleasurable They say, what you don’t business success. like or feels like. Design and memorable. Design know can’t hurt you but is how it works. In real thinking could be the yet we are afraid of it. However, whilst this estate, we coined our own dot connector and a Design is somewhat like success acknowledges phrase – Design is not a progressive system based that and for the most design as a powerful business vertical, Design tool for whole brained part it hugely benefits contributor, its value is is a business horizontal. thinking, decision making us (if done right), yet in never quantified; rendering Jon Kolko’s article in the and finally to achieve traditional real estate it a speculative case-by- Harvard Business Review* a desired business development it appears case investment to those refers to our world of outcome. Hence, to make to be the most stifled, who deem its importance dynamic complexity where that leap between fuzzy under optimized, least somewhat necessary in an organizational shift is logic to Boolean business invested in and always today’s day. In light of currently underway to logic, we set up the GPL at the sacrificial alter of this it maybe useful to put design close to the Design Studio, an anomaly any other priority deemed center of enterprise. He within the traditional to have more immediate articulates that this shift real estate development and significant business is not about aesthetics company. The Studio can interest. The process of but about applying be described as an open design appears fuzzy to design principles to the source framework that most left brained thinkers way people/companies/ applies the principles who tend to get frustrated things/interfaces work. of design thinking and with making (what appears powers the organization to be) a blind investment to – ‘make good business in its fuzzy logic to sense, by design.’ arrive at a desirable business conclusion. *https://hbr.org/2015/09/ It is no surprise that design-thinking-comes-of-age

6 7 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

DESIGN THINKING

W HAT IS IT ? ION NNOVAT SS I INE BUS R FO G W IN The concept/application story. Companies that are NK H HI of design thinking is perceived at the cutting T N A not a new one nor is edge of innovation and

IG

S T it rocket science. It thought leadership across

E

D

DEFINE was first discussed in sectors have design

1969 by Nobel laureate, thinking in common

HO

Herbert Simon in his with their core business

W

book, The Sciences of strategy. These include

the Artificial. Over the (but may not be limited

years, leading international to) Apple, IBM, GE,

EMPATHISE IDEATE

design/business Philips, Pepsi, 3M, Aston

schools and more Martin, Tata Motors and

recently management more recently the Godrej

consultancies like IDEO, group. As evidenced from

Mckinsey, Bain, BCG, available literature, it is

Deloitte and Accenture (to also interesting to note

name a few) are advising that investors are taking

global companies on its notice of design thinking

clear value additions to and its benefits in the

their businesses. boardroom for their long-

term returns. W

PROTOTYPE Essentially, design thinking

O is a problem solving H

system that answers the -

who, what, how and why

by empathizing, defining, STORY TELLING ideating, prototyping

TEST and testing, all woven WHY together in an authentic

narrative to make a

compelling/participative

IGN ES S D AND DEM INNOVATION

8 9 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

DESIGN THINKING

H O E ? W IS IT D O N

So what do these FOCUS ON PARTICULARLY EMPATHY, USING companies do that others 1 EMOTIONAL RESONANCE are still struggling to EXPERIENCE embrace?

This issue of Let’s Talk focuses on specific examples where we have successfully CREATE TO EXAMINE COMPLEX deployed design thinking 2 PROBLEMS USING DESIGN to demonstrate both MODELS & ARTIFACTS TO EXPLORE, DEFINE, qualitative and quantitative EMPOWER COMMUNICATE AND BUILD benefits for our real estate CONSENSUS business.

DEPLOY TO TEST POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS 3 AND SOLICIT FEEDBACK ON PROTOTYPES SUCCESS PARAMETERS

TOLERATE WITHIN REASON BACKED 4 BY COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS FAILURE TO INVEST IN SUPERLATIVE SUCCESS THROUGH ITERATIVE EXPERIMENTATION

SYSTEMISE THIS WAY OF THINKING AND 5 PROBLEM SOLVING & SCALE

CELEBRATE AND SHARE GREAT STORIES 6 OF SUCCESS MAKING EVERY- ONE FEEL GREAT

10 11 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

EES % R O T F

E V H A T DESIGN L U

THINKING E

G

E

GPL WHY WOULD N

G

E

O R

YOU DO IT? A

PORTFOLIOGPL D T

E RE D J BKC 2% 98% COMMERCIAL | RESIDENTIAL

GODREJ EXAMPLES OF DESIGN LED PROJECTS BKC The Trees is GPL’s flagship Godrej BKC is one of final product. The vision project and the first node the company’s marque conceived during concept in Vikhroli’s development commercial projects. design is refined during

Godrej BKC, our Grade A and regeneration. Its Responding to the subsequent design stages commercial asset record- success can be attributed stringent architectural and rigorously evaluated

ed sales of 435,000 SFT in large measure to the controls mandated by on business parameters with a value of 1,479 crore clear and deliberate MMRDA for the Bandra prior to sign offs. A making it the largest ever “ focus on design across Kurla Complex, the large contribution to the “end-user commercial real scales from master building manages to create success of the project was estate transaction in India. At a price of 34,000 per SFT, planning to innovations a sense of place through the invaluable, tangible the project has been able at the dwelling level. The its sensitive architectural and intangible benefits in to command this premium project addresses the and landscaping response. the building design, which basis our focus on design, key principles of identity, An integrated joint effort customers recognized and and project specifications. sustainability, community, between the site team, appreciated. - Royden Braganza and connectivity saving central design and our Head – Commercial 90% of existing trees consultants has ensured sales and leasing, GPL to set up a unique accurate and precise VIKHROLI THE product proposition. An translation of design TREES adaptive reuse project - during execution at site. The Imagine Studio was The approach process delivered to house the involves design and BKC project’s experience engineering working The Trees was GPL’s most centre focusing on the hand-in-hand through an

successful launch in terms walkable mixed-use area intensely collaborative of value of real estate sold

with sales of 862 crore in between buildings. The engagement across the first month alone. The narrative of ‘Imagine various stages and Life in the Trees,’ has milestones to achieve the “launch commanded 1.35 “ times the premium over consistently influenced the base micro-market rates project’s positioning and with the project beating product strategy, visual sluggish real estate market identity, place making, trends to create significant marketing communication, value for the company. and sales strategy. - Anubhav Gupta Business head – Vikhroli

12 13 LET’S TALK // VOLUMEVOLUME 44 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 OPPORTUNITY VISION FOCUS ON TECHNICAL DUE PRODUCT DILIGENCE

MASTER PLANNING

DESIGN NARRATIVE

THE IMAGINE STUDIO

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

ARCHITECTURE

PRODUCT INNOVATION EXPERIENCE

LIGHTING MASTERPLAN

14 15 LET’S TALK // VOLUMEVOLUME 44 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

FOCUS ON EXPERIENCE

THE TREES LAUNCH There are those rare times evangelists. Planning, when - we question how organizing, collaborating, we conduct business; managing and delivering when innovation isn’t timely business results restricted to a function, in such a complex matrix product features or a based primarily on soft singular ‘unique selling influence and people point’; when we break relationships came with boundaries to disrupt and several challenges that unite across differences. helped us do things better The launch of The Trees for our equally successful was one such case residential phase 2 launch. wherein the promise of We were able to achieve a thoughtfully designed path-breaking success product was matched both from a business in equal measure by standpoint as well as how we demonstrated an experiential one as its differentiation to our reported by customers. customers. In prototyping Our first internal town a new approach for hall meeting with the customer engagement, management to share we brought together these insights and the people from teams and small celebrations of our functions across the milestone successes make country to tell stories for endearing stories that about our values, our would warm any heart. spirit as one team, More importantly to close the project and our the loop, this exercise aspirations to create a helped us gain insight that whole new community. as a company we should For the first time at GPL, configure the system key personnel were better to incentivize trained and deployed and operationalize such with full ownership from collective collaboration all business verticals/ quickly when necessary or geographies including perhaps on every project Design, Marketing, Sales, to leverage the best the Customer Centricity, company has to offer. Finance, CMC, Strategy & Planning and HR to interface with the customer as product

16 17 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

FOCUS ON DELIVERY

CONTINUOUS ENGAGEMENT FOR DELIVERY OF DESIGN Commercial office space With large flexible floor various challenges that - Organized systems DESIGN + ENGINEERING globally has evolved plates, lease depths came up during the protocol for routine 13 CONSULTANTS following new drivers that planned to maximize construction process. meetings, workshops influence the way we natural light, a curated art Some of these ideas and decision making to work today. One of our program and an integrated are now being rolled out ensure full integration, most ambitious projects, landscape strategy, the on projects across the accountability and to avoid 192 WEEKLY COORDINATION CALLS Godrej BKC (Platinum project will be a great country. abortive work rated, Grade A, 1.28 mn. example to demonstrate SFT. Commercial office the power of space as an These include: - Set up systems to 26 WORKSHOPS building) is almost ready effective business tool. - Design leadership/ respond to change for completion. Our focus stewardship on high value management (approvals, has been to create a An integrated and projects through all stages tenant preferences, other INTEGRATED TEAM sustainable icon, which collaborative approach until delivery extraneous parameters) 1 offers world-class spaces, between design, for turnaround solutions in amenities, infrastructure, engineering and - Design supervision record time connectivity and flexibility. construction was in the appointment of Our goal is to increase prototyped to achieve the appropriate vendors to

We have worked as a team for the last 4 user satisfaction and work high quality of product build out key components;

years and together addressed engineering, productivity, and to foster delivery - exceeding sourcing of specification approval and construction concerns in order innovation in the work time, cost and quality materials; mock ups to deliver the ambitious design intent for place. Designed by New benchmarks. Using and finishing; site level “Godrej BKC. This has been such an integrated “ York based Skidmore, principles of design problem solving and effort that we actually lost sight of who was Owings & Merrill LLP thinking we were not only overall quality part of the design, operations or consultant (SOM) in partnership with able to connect the dots teams. We’ve celebrated milestones together the GPL Design Studio, across a complex matrix including several personal stories and also Godrej BKC delivers on of delivery operations; our collective achievements in building a high quality commercial asset in India.” the ‘Success by design’ equally importantly we proposition through were also able to use - Satish Jadhav thoughtful use of space. this mechanism to solve Project head - Godrej BKC

18 19 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

FOCUS ON DECISION This metric captures the carpet area generated MAKING CA for every 1 SM of FSI LAND TAKE consumed and is a measure of utilization of FSI the development potential of the land parcel. DESIGN METRICS How do you turn design equation and sqft of area that we build. Benchmarking key ratios qualitative design (its the metrics needed This means that there from competition on FSI / FAR benefits and evaluation) to understand critical will be a higher revenue a regular basis would into a quantifiable correlations that impact inflow for GPL, which help further to provide Floor space index (FSI), This metric captures the framework for effective business priorities – is a positive. However, more information for also Floor area ratio (FAR) built area required to be decision-making based on most importantly cost what if it becomes making effective business is the ratio of a building’s CA constructed to achieve business priorities? optimization. prohibitively expensive decisions. total floor area (gross floor 1 SM of carpet area for the consumer and can area) to the size of the and is a measure of the The idea is not to build a Mining robust data was the sales/marketing team In protecting business piece of land upon which BUA efficiency of the design. It formula but a framework the first task across sell such a product at the interests, there is it is built. is dependant on layout of (which could generate regions and projects. desired pace? substantive value in FSI = 2 cores, corridors etc. numerous formulae) Making sense of it in using the ‘Design Ratio wherein parameters can reference to context As a word of caution, Template’ often times be toggled with to arrive and peculiarities (region, Design metrics are not before initiating the design at the desired solution. segment, deal type, meant to be prescriptive to evaluate whether the Think of it like an equation approval environment, or prohibitive set of rules, base assumptions for wherein one could define cultural nuances, salability but intended instead as the project are valid. CA constants and toggle etc.) was the next step. a set of levers that help Reviewing these as the This metric captures the variables to not only get Arriving at a consistent assess the decisions and design process moves Carpet area (CA) is the total built area required the output but also see set of definitions, output trade-offs essential to further towards realizing a net usable floor area to be constructed, which the impact of changing template, measurement iterate design towards viable scheme allows for within a building excluding BUA translates to costs one of the variables on barometer and studies a desired business out business plan numbers to that covered by the incurred, to achieve 1 SM the other. The parameters that demonstrate come. To build institutional be continuously validated. walls or any other areas of saleable area, which in in the design equation critical correlations knowledge and to define a It is however essential to specifically exempted SA turn translates to revenue are deeply interrelated. and interdependencies range spectrum early on in use these tools in getting from floor space index generated. This metric Hence, the idea of Design affecting the top and the design process for key all the key stakeholders on computation per is a proxy for project Metrics was born in the bottom line was the ratios on new projects; the table to take decisions regulation. profitability. GPL Design Studio. most challenging part of a comparative ‘design on project trade offs. The this exercise. Once this barometer’ of all projects team’s recommendation The development promise framework was set up, region wise was set up is to review costs vs. of a land parcel is the prototypical scenarios with rationale for trade- potential for value As any real estate professional would tell you, first thing we need to were introduced to offs (some of which were generation particularly BUA the crux of optimizing Cost of Construction ascertain. Setting up demonstrate the impact informed while others for design related calls

(CoC) lies in optimizing design. If you make the Built up area is the total design more efficient, you reduce the CoC. A consistent definitions of changing 1 percentage that had slipped between especially for the mid/

construction area of the “piece of cake isn’t it? Well, not quite. One can and ratios to map this to point that each of these the cracks for the lack of high-mid segment projects project. make the most cost effective design, but what business was a key part ratios have on the inflow/ data and this exercise) and where there is a lot of good is it, if prospective customers don’t like of the design process outflow for the business. resultant business impact. competition. it and opt for a competitor’s product? Thus “ rolled out across the As a simple example, The idea is to put each what seems a relatively simple problem at country more than 3 years one of the ratios tracked project (once completed) first, is actually a fairly complex one involving ago. More recently and was Saleable Area/Built on this barometer divergent factors, and nuanced tradeoffs. We in collaboration with the Up Area (SA/BUA). If this for future reference. realized pretty early on that what we needed Corporate Strategy team; ratio increases, from say was a mechanism by which we could make these tradeoffs as transparent as possible. with the engagement of 1.10 to 1.15, it means that key stakeholders across we have more 0.05 sft - Jishnu Batabyal GPL and under the aegis more to sell for every 1 General Manager, Corporate Strategy of Project Lakshya, we attempted to set up the

20 21 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

HOW WE WORK

The GPL Design Studio is based on a highly collaborative co-creation format that has helped create tremendous intellectual property and shared value across geographies, agencies, projects, scales and experiences. From our successes on design led projects, we have found exponential business value delivered as a result of our working format.

22 23 LET’S TALK // VOLUMEVOLUME 44 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

EVE EEEO MULTI -

EE LE STAKEHOLDER V OULUE APPROACH

EO E OLLEL

E EUE LE VE E OU EEEE

VO UOME ME L ME EEEE M

OU

ES EVLUE E ESSE UE L

E

E EE MOLO In our work, when we action arcs unify the ME applied the adage of product, business plan, EE ‘design as a business design disciplines/stages, horizontal’, we found that customer experience and O realizing the maxim was marketing/sales plans not necessarily a linear to create a responsive LU E process. To ensure it’s iterative strategy that is EM unifying influence over nimble and best suited to the extended timeline take an authentic product spanning the lifecycle to the end customer. of a project, multiple Operationally there may touch points with other be some linearity to EEO functions add to the the process, however complexity and nature interdependencies of the process. From our need to be revalidated experience on design constantly to ensure all led projects which have musical instruments in the OVL achieved positive business orchestra are in unison results, we found merit with the harmony. All this in parallel simultaneity; requires time and massive wherein several thought/ effort.

24 25 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

DESIGN THINKING FOR BUSINESS DECISION MAKING

BOOLEAN TO FUZZY – A QUANTUM LEAP FOR BUSINESS SOLUTION REQUIREMENTS BUSINESS SENSE AND SENSIBILITY

So how does this box’ solutions thereby ways to define the same complexity help? For disrupting the industry for problems and experiment/ starters, while the process innovation. It is hence not iterate/prototype our PROBLEM may be complex (and surprising that the creative way to finding solutions. designers are trained industry is mostly credited In recent studies for LINEAR THINKING to handle this kind of with disruptive innovation upcoming projects in complexity), the solutions across businesses. In Pune wherein the sales have to be simple, intuitive our experience, this way and marketing teams and elegant. Using the of thinking has also led recommended changing orchestra analogy, apart to exploring avenues for the product mix to smaller from furnishing a beautiful cost optimization due apartments; opening up harmony, this method to the granularity and all parameters to define of engagement can help opportunities available the problem in terms improve or redefine the to toggle with individual of profitability - CoC vs. music genre itself. In parameters under one salability led to a series Boolean, business, vertical unifying umbrella. of possible solutions to logic, the framework of take informed calls for the finding solutions is usually It is especially relevant business. designed to generate for large organizations binary output. such as ours in giving us a fresh take on Using design thinking as entrenched industry a framework, by virtue issues. In choosing to BUSINESS UNDERSTANDING of the solution finding compete on innovation REQUIREMENTS THE CONTEXT process itself (more rather than just efficiency fuzzy in nature), we can it is essential for us to observe and assess be able to look at new various permutations and SOLUTION FINDING CHOICE FOR BUSINESS combinations (i.e. better control on all individual PROBLEM levers and their impact on each other) that would throw up interesting DESIGN THINKING results which would otherwise be missed for finding ‘out of the

26 27 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

DESIGN WORKSHOPS

Design is about deliberate and constant decision-making and trade-offs, a process that is best deployed in a human centric, multi- stakeholder workshop approach. This methodology is more likely to yield an authentic, differentiated and innovative product than imitation where one reacts to the market by providing features that have made comparable benchmarked projects somewhat successful.

28 29 LET’S TALK | VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK | VOLUME 4

PROCESS TECHNICAL PROJECT DESIGN CONCEPT SCHEMATIC DESIGN GFC’s & CONSTRUCTION LAUNCH UNTIL DUE DILIGENCE INCEPTION MOBILISATION DESIGN DESIGN DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION HANDOVER

APPROVALS TENDER

ARCHITECTURE STUDIO (CENTRAL) DESIGN ENGAGEMENT STUDIO (REGIONAL) MASTER PLANNING LANDSCAPE, HORTICULTURE & SUSTAINABILITY INTERIOR DESIGN FOCUS ON PRODUCT BUSINESS GIVE BACK TO EVALUATIONVISIONING DESIGN STRATEGY & EXPERIENCE COMMITMENT TO DESIGN THE BRAND BUSINESS PLAN BUSINESS PLAN COST DESIGN DELIVERED ENGINEERING FOR VALUE FOR BUSINESS

STUDIO (CENTRAL) MANDATE DELIVERY ON DESIGN BRAND QUALITY DESIGN = BUSINESS STRATEGY STUDIO REGIONAL MANDATE DESIGN PROJECT MANAGEMENT ADMINISTERING BUDGETS AND TIMELINES Design equals business strategy and vice versa with no clear distinction between what is the process, input criteria and potential solutions are. We have therefore mapped the design process to business stages and key imperatives from a brand and value creation perspective.

30 31 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 CREATIVE COLLATERAL

Storytelling is an integral audiovisuals and customer part of design thinking. engagement. The Studio SUBJECT Over the last year the has already won several Studio has incubated international and domestic MATTER subject matter expertise awards for some of our for building creative projects in this field. EXPERTISE collaterals to deliver We have also observed authentic representation instances where bringing of our process, product/ on this expertise early on proposition and experience in the design process has to our internal and external actually helped improve customers. The core team the design to make the consists of a broadcast link between the product, designer, brand expert, its messaging and digital strategist, architect experience stronger. HORTICULTURE and a graphic designer with additional expertise GPL is amongst a handful from the larger Studio of developers that has an group when required. in-house horticulture team. The process of collateral The Studio has further development begins early grown this team and in the design process recently integrated it with taking the shape of a landscape design as a design narrative that one-stop shop for design, synthesizes the story environmental as well as and salient features of execution deployment design into representation, across our projects. Our packaging, messaging, vision for horticulture is branding, nomenclature, to find the right balance content development, between location, installations and context, procurement, participating in building SUSTAINABILITY URBAN DESIGN INTERIOR LANDSCAPE cost optimization, ease customer experiences. BRANDING, BROADCAST of execution and most Key deliverables include MASTERPLANNING DESIGN ARCHITECTURE importantly to nurture narratives, renders, cut SIGNAGE & DESIGN greener communities in sheets, brochure content, ARCHITECTURE our developments. digital content, models, PUBLIC ART

INTEGRATED EXPERTISE

The Studio has incubated specific design experts, prototyped relevant deployment over projects, developed resource talent for scale and then translated it into process based subject matter expertise to generate value for the company across projects

32 33 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

INNOVATION IN DESIGN

6m

4.5m

3m

1m 0.6m

7029 The Trees, Mumbai Lighting Masterplan HIERARCHY 54

LIGHTING DESIGN AS A STRATEGY TO EXPERIENCE THE TREES MASTERPLAN RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL The character of space has of intensity – across the 7029 The Trees, Mumbai the potential to change external vehicular loop, Lighting Masterplan MICRO VIEW 19 between night and day. internal public realm, Having successfully retail heart and on special deployed the lighting buildings. All other design prototype for buildings are internally lit. the Imagine Studio The lighting color gradually complex, we scaled changes to warmer this engagement to the tones as one moves master planning level from the commercial for the first time. The precinct through the underlying premise is that mixed-use heart and apart from the functional finally to the residential aspects of lighting for cluster. Key transitions 7029 The Trees, Mumbai tasks, visibility, safety and intersections are Lighting Masterplan RESIDENTIAL- COMMERCIAL 11 and security; designed further articulated. illumination can spark our Greenways and tree lines

imagination, enhance our are celebrated by special 7029 The Trees, Mumbai VISUAL TEXTURE experience/wellbeing, lighting, which produce Lighting Masterplan 16 and differentiate our dappled light in the public development. The design realm using a clever play strategy followed was of tree foliage shadows. to deploy lighting at 4 levels in increasing order

34 35 7029 The Trees, Mumbai Lighting Masterplan RESIDENTIAL- COMMERCIAL 12 SPA | Reception View LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

COURTYARD

THE CLUBHOUSE AT THE TREES

RCC SLAB

CORTEN CLAD LOUVERS

METAL COLUMNS

NARRATIVE AS DESIGN INSPIRATION – BLURRED BOUNDARIES BETWEEN REAL AND UNREAL

A narrative is a very which we described as clubhouse. Unfortunately, physically possible, the clubhouse building powerful device not only ‘raisins in the raisin bread’. there were none. however we surveyed and appears to be a complex to tell stories but also From hereon as the documented the building of found objects in an to inspire placemaking masterplan took shape, Meanwhile in another part and its proportions prior erstwhile industrial and for design inception these found objects of our Vikhroli campus an to demolition. If you look landscape. Boundaries itself. When we had discovered their meaning old structure was to be closely you will discover are now blurred between surveyed the site for and significance as demolished to make room that our multipurpose the real and unreal as The Trees masterplan, ‘jewels’ or special objects for new development. hall in the clubhouse far as found objects go; we had resolved to save in the development. Our This structure had is strangely familiar, layers have been added to maximum green cover success in prototyping interesting proportions while our treetop spa stories and a narrative has and some old factory the Imagine Studio as one and we wondered if we structures are reminiscent inspired design. infrastructure to celebrate of these jewels left us could pick the jewel from of the silos and inserts our industrial legacy. We craving for found object(s) one part of the site and in the Imagine Studio. wanted to repurpose on the site where we transport it to another. Materials speak an these found objects, were planning our Of course this was not industrial language and

36 37 02.BUILDING DESIGN LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 03. FACADE DESIGN Program LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 Elevations Drop off The dropoff is designed on the 18.3m wide East road. Godrej THREE Public Entrance Hall The public entrance halls faces the Master Plan boulevard on the South. This allows for a seamless connection between the entrance hall and the The Greenway adjoining landscape. It shall be accessible from the East (18.3m wide road) and West. Office Lobbies/Elevator Halls Two separate lobbies are designed, accessible from Godrej TWO the public entrance hall. Food & Beverage, Retail F&B and retail areas are designed on the West and Retail Village East ends of the site. Both areas shall be accessble to from inside the public entrance hall and from the adjoining roads. GODREJ 2

East Elevation Exit

Godrej ONE South Elevation

Entry Entry Boulevard

02. BUILDING DESIGN 18.3m wide road Tenant Split Strategy

Compact and efficient core design with appropriate vertical transportation strategy allows the office leaseable area to be FLEXIBLE DESIGN TO ADDRESSGodrej FLUID TWO Schematic Design Report 11 split into multiple ways. MARKET CONDITIONS

Single Tenant/Floor With the development being independent of the The slits of the building with balconies meet the ground level through “Interior of each commercial rest in terms of access, Gardens”, emphasizing on Vertical Green concept and connectivity with TREES master plan. asset (Godrej One, maintenance and services. On north side, the vertical greens turns into a minimal design glass box Guard Two Tenants/Floor Vertical Split house, with a green roof. Godrej BKC and now The tenant segmentation On east and west the vertical green meets the retailGodrej area TWO with minimal Schematic design Design Report 59 Japanese gardens. Godrej 2), our learning strategy for each floor On south the Vertical Green turns into a modern Art space just in front of public entrance hall entrance, welcoming the visitors. curve has been steep. can range from a single Four Tenants/Floor Vertical Green Per our assessment, tenant, to four, six, up market conditions for to eight tenants. Every commercial real estate corner office block has an 02. BUILDING DESIGN tend to be very dynamic; individual refresh/meeting Tenant Split Strategy Guard House (glass/green) a business requirement room with a balcony on 02. BUILDING DESIGN Horizontal Split Mixed Split Below Balcony 1 Guard House (glass/green) underneath Balcony 1 (reference images) TenantCompact and Split efficient Strategy core design with appropriate vertical Japanese Garden best addressed by alternate floors. These transportation strategy allows the office leaseable area to be Godrej TWO Schematic Design Report 15 Below Balcony 4 split into multiple ways. maximum design double height balconies Compact and efficient core design with appropriate vertical transportation strategy allows the office leaseable area to be flexibility. Godrej 2, the have been imagined as split into multiple ways. second commercial asset landscaped break-out at the Trees has therefore spaces offering the users

Single Tenant/Floor been designed for both an opportunity to connect vertical and horizontal with nature and enjoy Single Tenant/Floor tenant splits and with the calm that is Vikhroli. each floor plate configured Our design for flexibility

Two Tenants/Floor Vertical Split around a compact and also gives the building efficient core. The vertical a distinctive volumetric Two Tenants/Floor Vertical Split Japanese Garden transportation strategy character and distinctive Below Balcony 2 allows the leasable office façade on all sides. Four Tenants/Floor Art Garden floor areas to be split into Below Balcony 3 Four Tenants/Floor Water Art multiple options, each

Japanese Garden underneath Balcony 2 and 4 (reference images) 02. BUILDING DESIGN 02. BUILDING DESIGN Pedestrian Movement on Ground Floor Ground Floor : Planning and Landscape Design Legend Legend Vehicular Access Art Space Pedestrian Access Interior Garden From Parking (visitor) Interior-Exterior Connection BOH Entry Elevator Access Interactive Plaza Guard House 2 Service Entry/Exit Horizontal Split Mixed Split Below Balcony 1 Glass / Green Art Plaza Retail Entry Godrej TWO Schematic Design Report 15 Horizontal Split Mixed Split Below Balcony 4 Japanese Garden Godrej TWO Schematic Design Report 15 F & B / Retail

Office Sub Entry Guard House 1

From Parking (Visitor)

Parking Entry/Exit

F & B / Retail

Interior-Exterior Connection

Public Entrance Hall

Office Main Entry

Below Balcony 2 Japanese Garden Culture Plaza Transition Garden Below Balcony 3 Art Garden

Vehicular Access Godrej TWO Schematic Design Report 13 Godrej TWO Schematic Design Report 29

38 39 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

PARTNERSHIPS

The Studio works hand in hand with our design partners to translate design ideation into documentation and built form. The product value chain includes design engagement and participation well into the construction cycle through to delivery and customer feedback upon use.

40 41 LET’S TALK | VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK | VOLUME 4

GODREJ ONE, VIKHROLI MUMBAI

PELLI CLARKE PELLI

Pelli Clarke Pelli are the architects for Godrej One. They have designed many of the world’s most recog- nizable buildings including the World Financial Centre in New York, Petronas Towers in Malaysia and HOTEL AND RESIDENTIAL, WEST END ONE the International Finance Centre in Hong Kong.

Our first project in India has been very exciting and an intense immersion into both the history and the evolving future of India. The Godrej Group has a strong design culture “ “and their vision of space and workplace shaped many of our decisions towards the final architecture of simple strong forms with open spaces and a neutral palette of beautiful materials for them to create and display a richness of products within. - Rafael Pelli Partner, Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects

42 43 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK | VOLUME 4

True to its vision of ‘Live, Work and Play’ The Trees Master Plan is a

balance of function and emotion. Godrej 2 will carry forward this

“philosophy to make itself a `great place to work’ by fostering the virtues of creativity and sustainability, through simple and efficient design. “ We are thankful for everyone’s continual cooperation and support and believe that the Studio way of working between the consultants, design and operations will be instrumental for the project’s success. - Masakazu Kimura Principal, Nikken Sekkei Ltd.

NIKKEN SEKKEI LTD.

Tokyo based Nikken Sekkei Ltd. are the architects for the second commercial building at The Trees. They are one of the world’s most accomplished architectural design firms with a portfolio that extends across 20,000 projects in 40 countries.

44 45 LET’S TALK | VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK | VOLUME 4

Working with GPL is unlike working with any other client. It is wonderful to collaborate “ with the team at GPL Design “Studio over projects & ideas. To us, the collaboration makes all the difference, lending a certain richness to the design process & the outcomes. - Jinu Kurien Principal, Designworks

DESIGNWORKS Designworks is a young Innovations Award in practice established 2012, Designworks have in 2004. With a Studio been our partners in strength of 20, the the development of the firm has undertaken sample apartment for thoughtfully detailed Godrej Prana at Pune. projects in architecture & communication design. Winner of IIID Godrej

46 47 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK | VOLUME 4

THE LEGACY SILOS

An exhibition is always an themselves as part of act of placing artworks microcosmic memory and understanding the theatres – unfreezing importance of engaging the associations typically with a site and, at the made with the Godrej same time producing complex and stressing its a polylogue with other continual transformational spaces. A place is no fixed evolution into The Trees. thing – it has an episodic history and takes its As artists, a significant particular aspect through part of our own practice an intense immersion. has been one of enquiry, research and We recognize the evolving presentations of artifacts, Godrej complex as a space experiences as well as devoted to natural and parallel personal and technical sciences, and public histories. We are have collaborated with striving towards legibility, the GPL Design Studio to a vocabulary of analog treat its representation as experiences in a digital a live entity, rather than a world – distilled through museum of dead objects complex processes – to – creating contexts present a sense of the that represent different History, Achievements physical, psychological, and Future of Godrej as historical, cultural realms a corporation, entity and and realities. cultural icon.

Within the three silo(s) – Ali Akbar Mehta & Vidha (or cabinets of curiosity) Saumya are spaces that embody the conditions in which histories, stories, objects and memories find their voices and interlink to present

48 49 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

SCALE

We have now been in the real estate business since 1990 - grown considerably in revenue, profitability and scale, and, now have more than a 115 million square feet under development in 12 cities across India. Our portfolio is spread across 50 projects covering residential, commercial, mixed use and large township asset classes.

50 51 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 S

SUCCESS BY DESIGN GODREJ BKC – COMMERCIAL SALES OFFICE

The commercial sales and successful example to marketing office at Godrej demonstrate the power BKC was built to translate of space as an effective the ‘Success by design’ marketing tool. One of the proposition into built form. projects’ key constraints It uses the entirety of the was delivering a high customer journey, from specification commercial the alighting point through interior space within an all the spaces, to further operational construction strengthen the message. site. With curated graphic walls, indoor galleries and library spaces designed in close consultation with the commercial sales team, the project is a

52 53 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 URBAN CONTEXT M

THE PARKING STRATEGY: PHASE 2

APARTMENTS

AMENITIES

PARKING LVL 10 PARKING LVL 10

PARKING LVL 9 PARKING LVL 9

PARKING LVL 8 PARKING LVL 8

PARKING LVL 7 PARKING LVL 7

PARKING LVL 6 PARKING LVL 6

PARKING LVL 5 LOBBY PARKING LVL 4

PARKING LVL 3 PARKING LVL 3 PARKING LVL 2 PARKING LVL 1 ANSTEY ROAD DRIVEWAY AT +45M SERVICE LVL SERVICE LVL

2 1 PHASE 2 BUILDING PHASE 1 BUILDING

ANSTEY ROAD

FORJETT ROAD ENTRANCE AT +28M

TERRACE GARDENS IMAGES SHOWN ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS DESIGN EVOLVES IMAGES SHOWN ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS DESIGN EVOLVES MEHER AT ALTAMONT, MUMBAI Our design led approach to product development for Meher was to create iconic towers and a well- designed public realm - articulating a sense of arrival, enhancing community engagement and reinterpreting the elements that define good living.

2

1

ANSTEY ROAD

IMAGES SHOWN ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS DESIGN EVOLVES 54 55 THELET’S TALKAMENITY / VOLUME 4 COLLECTION LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 M

2

1

ANSTEY ROAD

THE UNITS - TOWER 1 THE UNITS - TOWER 1 The product proposition IMAGES SHOWN ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS DESIGN EVOLVES is articulated through connected greens, well appointed amenities, and thoughtfully designed apartments.

VIEW OF LIVING DECK VIEW OF MASTER SUITE IMAGES SHOWN ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS DESIGN EVOLVES

IMAGES SHOWN ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS DESIGN EVOLVES

56 57 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 L

GODREJ INFINITY, PUNE

Godrej Infinity has been activated riverfront. designed on the banks Innovative approaches to of the river Mutha with integrate parking within buildings planned around the development provide the valley created by the the necessary amenities river bed contours. while still creating The master plan builds streetscapes and urban on 4 key propositions edges. – iconic gateway to the development, verdant parkviews, convenient townsquare and an

58 59 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 XL

GODREJ GARDEN CITY, AHMEDABAD Godrej Garden City is by tweaking the planting the largest project in our palette - to create more portfolio. Masterplanned layering of plant material by SOM with the intent for particular views and to reimagine the garden vistas. We used swales city, the region is currently as the drainage strategy building out the individual creating retention ponds greens that are connected and recharge pits to drain to create the overall out the excessive water proposition. The Sunrise and create ‘rain gardens’. and the North Parks have recently been completed. The masterplan design intent for both these parks was further developed

60 61 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

SUSTAINABILITY - CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

4 -

1

5 H

P H

G Y P 6

GO O T I Y H

D T P C I

D R C Y G N R E T G I SUSTAINABLE THINKING AS A DEVELOPMENT PROPOSITION E E N O J OD C D E J

D F R D N P R R R A R E L E O G E A D G A Our comprehensive in order to divert it from buildings green pre- J G J N R O T G O J S T O I A G D E J D U N I A G R E E approach to sustainable landfills. certified and are moving O R R M U

DRE E S R R J E D M M E J J I D S O IT R development starts early Our commitment to closer to mandating higher AR 1 O 0 G E J D 1 G M I I O I C A

O G S on in the design phase sustainability also reflects rated buildings. PR K L N J A IN L R RE T through to construction, in overlaps between Our Design Studio works G D N O EJ E D O R C R G D J A delivery and finally use our green objectives with the best design and E O E A J R IH Y P G V IT R D J N GO A O E E of our buildings. In our and our corporate social engineering minds in the D K G R R R R D SE E I O J J P TI G E integrated process, responsibility policy. industry across asset L R Y GO A D SK TI O J DUP DR N G RE N how we design our Our unique Good & classes - albeit on large EJ UM D A W O BH A G EJ TER R developments takes on Green program helps us scale projects (where S OD C IDE G BK GO EJ DR DR strategic importance. meet these objectives smart growth principles EJ GO GEN I ESI PH S ESI Early climatic studies across our diverse and are followed) or on small ES: R TRE E TH and utilizing tools such growing portfolio. On infill projects where I I PH I : RES REES E T as energy modeling the Good side, we run innovation is key to deliver TH

I PH III TREES: RES allow us to evaluate several educational, green design within strict THE

site selection, plan training and capacity business and regulatory

GODREJ ONE

sustainable communities, building workshops both constraints. Through out

RA G

AKPU % ODRE

J KAN J TW and, reduce energy and at the grassroots level processes, we also

DRE O

GO

S water consumption in as well as for industry mandate basic green

UE IM

VEN AGI

N

J A E

RE S

D T

O U

G DIO buildings. This in turn leadership engagements. compliance and practices

NUM

LATI helps with optimizing Our Green agenda is from key contractors and

P

J D E

R E

D T

O I

G N their operational resource broadly divided in two agencies that we work

U G

J

O

Y D

RE

D T R

N E

O footprint and potentially buckets – Operations and with during the design and

G U J

O H

G

C O

O

R

D

D I

L Z

translates into energy Projects. We regularly construction phases of our

7 R ON

O

1

E G

J

J EJ E G R R O PR D D D A bill savings for our evaluate and monitor our projects. We are also in O O S R N G G E EJ A M customers. We encourage office operations and the process of setting up O Y IN H IT F N C IN W - I the use of locally sourced construction site footprint post occupancy surveys E T O J Y T J E E R G construction material, across the country for key buildings to study D R O G D O E D O G V O which reduces carbon for optimum resource measurable benefits to our G R O E D E R R J GR U E miles from transport and consumption and best end users. A Z J M N L A A A J N supports the growth of practices. On the projects A N P E A D J R N A E local industries. We reuse front, we have worked D D R M O A D P G M O H and recycle the bulk of hard to have all our recent

G P 1

H

our construction waste

2

PLATINUM RESIDENTIAL GOLD IGBC ACCREDITED COMMERCIAL SILVER SUSTAINABILITY SUBMISSION UNDERWAY * COMPLETED, ONGOING AND PROFESSIONALS AT NONE 100% FORTHCOMING PROJECTS THE STUDIO

62 63 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 SE E OOL UO

S U E M E EE E ENGAGEMENTS

S E E O U

VE O E L E AS A LO A E

UE O TE AE ST E L EE U E L OE E E E OO

OLE LOE

TTES

E M E M

LL E E M

LM EE E E E L M

T EN M GE 0 GA EN ER M TO CUS D LE N IG ES D

64 65 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

GODREJ AS A BRAND

sample apartment thereby were anchored at the strengthening their loyalty Imagine Studio to offer and belief in our products. unique and authentic Internally, this gave us cultural experiences for a great opportunity to those interested. Design collaborate with our sister thinking afforded us the companies in unique opportunity to connect the ways, something we had dots where we were able never done before. For to leverage the goodwill of us the home therefore our brand and its promise became a place to meet across products and with our family members experiences. At GPL we to celebrate our history view this as a successful and our products. Where prototypical exercise in it was not about products, forging mutual synergies – we were able to work both for gaining from and with our colleagues at the giving back to our mother Godrej Archives, Godrej brand. Qualitative and Marine Ecology Center, quantitative feedback from Natures Basket and India the launch indicates that Culture Lab on various this strategy made very inclusive events, which good business sense. THE PROMISE OF ALL THINGS GODREJ We are a one of India’s deployed this integrated most recognized and brand promise in our trusted brands. Millions sample apartments (as a of our countrymen and prototype at The Trees), women proudly use our where the home became products everyday. The a repository and showcase prospect of bringing for various products that our brand into their we make - including homes and lives got furniture, electronics, us thinking about the consumables, food, home power and shared value automation, storage of a larger consolidated and safety equipment brand promise for among others. We also brighter living. At GPL collected vintage Godrej we build homes, which memorabilia that was are probably one of the strategically curated both largest ticket investments to recall our heritage as that individuals or family well as bring a long-term units would typically dimension to our brand make in their lifetime. promise and products. We also found that a lot All of this was subtle but of our products aid and noticeable to customers improve the daily lives who recalled the brand of our customers. It and its promise multiple was only natural to put times across touch points the two together. We during their tour of the

66 67

68 69

- Ayumi Rajalingam, Officer - Corporate Communication Corporate - Officer Rajalingam, Ayumi - there is always a sense of wonder looking into Godrej One. One. Godrej into looking wonder of sense a always is there

at the atrium. And invariably invariably And atrium. the at down look them let and floor top the “

them a tour, I always take the guests in the glass elevator up to to up elevator glass the in guests the take always I tour, a them

they get super impressed by the work environment. When giving giving When environment. work the by impressed super get they

“ visitors, external of lot a gets Corpcomm since think I Honestly,

- Rohit Vengurlekar, General Manager BBlunt Manager General Vengurlekar, Rohit - “

Starbucks means a good start and a great end to the day. day. the to end great a and start good a means Starbucks

The very fact this building has a Nature’s Basket, BBlunt, and and BBlunt, Basket, Nature’s a has building this fact very The

to that next meeting. next that to

encourage all of us to walk walk to us of all encourage

“ that staircases internal and

atrium that scoops light light scoops that atrium

transparency, a central central a transparency,

sense of openness and and openness of sense

with day lit offices, a a offices, lit day with

and focus on its people people its on focus and

- Kavita Palekar, Marketing Head, Godrej Nature’s Basket Nature’s Godrej Head, Marketing Palekar, Kavita -

of the Groups’ values values Groups’ the of

the spatial manifestation manifestation spatial the here. here.

“ is and companies group changing that to alphonso mangoes very shortly, as summer is is summer as shortly, very mangoes alphonso to that changing

together the Godrej Godrej the together Orange tree at the entrance of the Nature’s Basket office. We’ll be be We’ll office. Basket Nature’s the of entrance the at tree Orange

Godrej One brings brings One Godrej the bright and cheerful space and my personal favourite is the the is favourite personal my and space cheerful and bright the

“ work, to in coming Love great. been has One Godrej to move The

- Jayesh R Shah, General Manager (Exports), Godrej Industries Ltd. Industries Godrej (Exports), Manager General Shah, R Jayesh -

performance. That much for the positive vibes! vibes! positive the for much That performance.

us great luck and in the first year itself resulted in an improved improved an in resulted itself year first the in and luck great us it cohesive and responsive. For Chemicals this office has brought brought has office this Chemicals For responsive. and cohesive it

open office concept has cut down the hierarchical structure making making structure hierarchical the down cut has concept office open “

clear glass and white marble gives it a generous and airy look. The The look. airy and generous a it gives marble white and glass clear

“ of combination The Mumbai. in buildings nicest the of one easily is My first look of this of this office was a jaw-dropping experience. This This experience. jaw-dropping a was office this of this of look first My

- Dianne Tauro, Godrej India Culture Lab Culture India Godrej Tauro, Dianne -

something to our fab events! events! fab our to something “

atrium and obviously our new auditorium adds just that perfect perfect that just adds auditorium new our obviously and atrium is phenomenal. Using the new open spaces like the silos, silos, the like spaces open new the Using phenomenal. is

“ building the in daylight The Office. Lab Culture new our love I

/ VOLUME 4 VOLUME / TALK LET’S / VOLUME 4 VOLUME / TALK LET’S LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

THE IMAGINE STUDIO AT THE TREES

The Imagine Studio celebrates our

rich industrial heritage at Vikhroli and demonstrates GPL’s design and innovation

capabilities. We believe the Imagine Studio “played a key part in differentiating the product, experience, and brand of The Trees, which ultimately delivered outstanding “ business results at the launch where we sold apartments worth 1225 crore within FY 2016. Equally importantly, the Imagine Studio has

tremendously enhanced perception about the Group’s exciting vision for Vikhroli, which will have tremendous long-term benefits.

The first time I saw the Imagine Studio - Pirojsha Godrej, I felt a sense of pure joy and deep pride. MD & CEO, Pride because the studio repurposed from “ Godrej Properties Ltd. a factory pays respect to Godrej’s and “Vikhroli’s industrial heritage. Joy because it is beautiful and it sparks ones imagination in terms of what Vikhroli has the potential to be - a chlorophyll and culture rich oasis in the heart of Bombay. - Nisaba Godrej Executive Director, GCPL

70 71 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

VIKRAM SETH AT THE IMAGINE STUDIO It was our pleasure to host

the celebrated author and poet Vikram Seth at the

Imagine Studio together It is fabulous to have the Imagine Studio right with the Culture Lab and adjacent to Godrej One. The environment “ captures the essence of great design, the Godrej Archives. It was an Godrej values and we’re happy to have a afternoon made special “space that is reflective of what we believe in by an engaged audience, and complimentary to the ideas that we have Vikram Seth, Nadir Godrej been working towards at the Culture lab. Look and artist Aradhana Seth forward to more Culture Lab events here. whose work we’ve had the pleasure of including - Parmesh Shahani in the last monsoon Head – Godrej India Culture Lab edition of this publication.

72 73

LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 Vikhroli Cucina is a first of its kind brand “ agnostic platform where brands operating in the food space, chefs, bloggers, influencers and food lovers collaborate, engage and exchange ideas. “With this second season held at The Imagine Studio at The Trees we have a venue that reflects our brand ethos and the bar has been raised. - Sujit Patil, Vice President and Head Corporate Communications, GILAC

VIKHROLI CUCINA AT The food space is constantly evolving and it is truly an exciting time for all of us. THE TREES THE IMAGINE STUDIO Since several of our businesses have a deep 15 CUSTOMERS connection with food we decided to create Held at Imagine Studio

“a collaborative platform where we could at the Trees, the second

celebrate, engage and inspire the best from 7 GODREJ BRANDS edition of Vikhroli Cucina the gastronomic world. This is how Vikhroli OTHER BRANDS witnessed latest culinary Cucina was born. We aim to continue concepts, techniques propagating this as a platform for the cross- “ 5 and styles as food pollination of ideas from a very diverse set bloggers, sommeliers, of stakeholders. We are sure that with every chefs and other edition, Vikhroli Cucina will strengthen its 100 FOOD BLOGGERS reputation of being one of the most coveted CHEFS experts enthusiastically platforms in the culinary space. participated in a host of food workshops, tasting - Tanya Dubash, Chief Brand Officer, 12 & pairing sessions and Godrej Group kitchen challenges.

74 75 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

GRI REPORTING FOR BUSINESS

GLOBAL REPORTING INTIATIVE

The Global Reporting comprehensive integrated patterns and are now able integrated watershed and lower migration Initiative (GRI) is a reporting framework than to monitor and access development. Watershed of farmers to cities for comprehensive framework GRI. Listed companies are efficiency in operational is the steady and physical work during off seasons. for product responsibility permitted to publish a GRI practices, processes, changing of a valley to GPL, under GILAC Good and ensuring triple bottom report in lieu of a BRR. technologies, materials, arrest or slow down & Green has partnered line sustainability for and, understand our rainfall and allow it to with the National Bank business. GRI is a non- In the financial year 2014- environmental footprints. percolate into the soil, for Agriculture & Rural financial disclosure of 15, GPL had undertaken We have initiated cross increasing the water Development (NABARD) performance indicators sustainability reporting functional learning and table and making water for a four year period to that covers Social, under the GRI Generation best practices as well available for agriculture, ensure Maharashtra’s Environmental, Economic, 4 (GRI G4) framework. as mitigation and offset human or natural uses. most drought prone Labour Practices, Product This reporting extended projects to reduce our The higher water table agricultural belt becomes Responsibility and our commitment to environmental footprint ensures year-round an efficiently irrigated, various other aspects, sustainability across all that will help us fulfill our cropping and water water sufficient region. important for sustainable domains of our business. Good & Green 2020 vision. availability to rural areas. business development. A It ensured a continuous Water availability in Work underway at our non-financial disclosure integration of sustainable Water is our most general helps livelihoods, watershed development site at of sustainability or practices across significant environmental economic development Beed District, Maharashtra integrated reporting operations at GPL covering footprint. We have initiated in villages, holistic provides shareholders project sites in a Scope our largest CSR project of development, women with a meaningful and 2, gate-to-gate approach, 3300 Ha in Beed District, empowerment, higher comprehensive view of a i.e. all business operations Maharashtra. This project, levels of education, company’s performance from excavation (in case which will mitigate our beyond financial of greenfield projects) water & carbon footprints, statements. or demolition (in case is a large scale, agricultural of brownfield projects) water percolation project The European Commission to handover, within otherwise known as for Banking and Finance the projects sites and has non-binding guidelines under our direct control on integrated reporting for irrespective of business companies with more than model. We have base- 500 employees. In August lined our consumption 2012, SEBI mandated the ‘Business Responsibility Reporting’ as part of the annual report for the top 500 listed companies. The BRR is a less

76 77 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

CAPACITY BUILDING From a capability- We picked a topical CAPABILITY building point of view, current policy decision it is imperative that by the government, BUILDING - our HR assessment which has impacts for DESIGN FOR mechanisms are geared design and business in towards evaluating key the real estate sector. BUSINESS skills and characteristics Candidates were for particular functions assessed in individual like design. While interviews and group we found the current discussion formats to general business case assess their approach study methodology in cracking the case and useful, we wondered presenting/discussing if there was any their findings. This opportunity to make initiative to connect these more specific to design with business relating design and its to assess for design impact on business. thinking skills was GPL’s HR department highly commended by welcomed this idea the MDC committee and invited us to write and suitably enjoyed by our very first design candidates. focused business case. Case Study Questions 1. What is your assessment of the potential impact of a revised strategy based on this policy on time, cost and quality for all projects in the pre The CEO of Great across the portfolio Officer recollects recent specialize in setting up construction phase for Properties Ltd. asked and are contemplating international trends production facilities to Great Properties Ltd. for an allocated hour at immediate changes on micro housing and deliver modular small the company’s weekly in the product mix for immediately commissions format factory made 2. As an empowered Tuesday meeting to projects across regions. efficacy studies on housing. Manager at Great discuss this policy Project leads and sales the Indian consumer’s Properties Ltd’s announcement. At the managers across the adapting to new ways The Chief Design Officer Design Strategy team, meeting he urged the country anticipate this of utilizing space and its however is not convinced. what would be your “ NO TAX ON 300 SFT FLATS IN team to analyze the trend driving velocity (rate impact on urban lifestyle. He is worried both from recommendation to the METROS, 600 SFT FLATS IN NON policy draft and evaluate of sales) and customer These people won’t use a functional as well as CEO a possible shift in the demand in a sluggish real scooters he thinks -“It has business standpoint. His METROS”. TOUTED AS THE KEY REAL company’s medium term estate economy. got to be an UBER or their concerns stem from the 3. Assuming you growth strategy. own car”. challenges in applying this are able to convince ESTATE HIGHLIGHT OF THE UNION The Chief Marketing change in typology and your peers with the The leaders sitting at the Officer of the company The Chief Liaison Officer product mix to projects robustness of your BUDGET (DATED 29TH FEB 2016), meeting represented proactively commissions a has been on the phone across regions. rationale, how would various regions and ‘willingness to pay’ study, and in meetings all the Design team THE POLICY HAS ALREADY SPARKED functions for the company. (mapping the maximum morning to correlate this Investors tracking the present this information KEEN INTEREST AMONGST LEADING All of them headed back price a customer is willing policy with the regulatory companies’ results are to key stakeholders to to their offices and in turn to spend for a home) framework for each quick to sense a company secure buy in for this DEVELOPERS IN INDIA. called forth work groups in order to understand city planning authority, wide strategy shift in the recommendation. to discuss the implications a potentially distinct applicable FSI norms and making and will now be of this policy change on demographic for whom its impact on parking and looking at the CEO of their business units. the size of the apartment density requirements. Great Properties Ltd. to is not correlated to the gauge every decision he The finance and strategy ticket size (i.e. the sale The Chief Construction makes in the light of this heads were the first to price of one unit = price Officer envisages that policy change. calculate both the topline per SFT x saleable area of these homes may need (Revenue) and bottom line that unit). to be built in a different (Profit) impact on projects way. He contacts several The Chief Customer contracting firms that

78 79 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

IN PROFILE- BANGALORE REGION THE BANGALORE WAY OF LIFE

DESIGN DELIBERATIONS GODREJ ETERNITY, KANAKPURA

TREE LINED COURTYARDS MASTERPLAN

K UDAY BHASKAR Uday has Masters degrees followed by project in - Urban design from the management for a land Centre of Environmental development company Planning and Technology undertaking an ambitious (CEPT, Ahmedabad) and in 740 hectare city, and, now Business Administration leads Bangalore region from The Indian Institute with Godrej Eternity as of Management, (IIM, one of the recent projects Bangalore). He started in his portfolio. out as an urban planner with Christopher Charles Benninger Architects and Urban Planners; moved on to serving as an Urban Development Advisor to the Royal government of Bhutan and then Bahrain

THE MODERN BANGALORE LOFT

80 81 LET’S TALK | VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK | VOLUME 4

PROJECTS SITE TEAM OPERATIONS HORTICULTURE LINE OUT VENDOR LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION PARTNERSHIPS THE CIVIL WORK SUSTAINABILITY INTEGRATED TEAM FEASIBILITY COST ELECTRICALS KGS OF PRODUCE / WEEK PLUMBING 20 IMAGINE TIME PROJECT THE VARIETIES OF VEGETABLES IMAGINE FARM SPONSORSHIP & HERBS FARM PROTOTYPE SOIL 30 PREPARATION PROCUREMENT IDEA SPONSORSHIP FRUIT SCALED FIRST APPROACH PLANTING 7 TREES DELIVERY SFT BED RECIPE FOR BLUE PEA FLOWER & SWEET BASIL INFUSION 1000 Soak the blue pea flowers in hot water till it turns blue. Tear PROOF OF CONCEPT some sweet basil leaves. Add some honey and a dash of FACILITY MANAGEMENT LITRES OF WATER/ WEEK lemon. Watch it change colour like magic. Enjoy hot or cold. EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE 2100 GARDENERS Great for parties and entertainment! AUTHENTIC THE CASE FOR URBAN FARMING EXPERIENCE PRODUCE ACTIVATIONS It has been four months CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE since we set up the urban farm at The Trees Imagine Studio and it has been a great space to engage with both customers and employees. While we are still solving for challenges such as keeping the farm pesticide free, ensuring ITALIAN BASIL DILL ROSELA FLOWERS adequate water supply SWEET & PEPPERY SHARP & GRASSY SOUR, HIGH IN IRON on site and setting up a PESTOS, PASTAS, STIR FRIES, TOMATO POTATO SALAD, YOGURT DISHES, LENTILS, TEAS, INFUSIONS, SALAD DRESSINGS, financially sustainable SAUCES, RUBS, CURRIES SOUPS, SALAD DRESSINGS, SAUCES SAUCES model, there is ample demonstration that the advantages of growing fresh produce are immense.

Urban farming offers a multitude of community benefits such as access to a healthy food source, educational value and a boost to the local LEMONGRASS SWEETHEART SPINACH PEPPERMINT economy. It would be CITRUSY, LEMONY & ZESTY CRUNCHY & LEAFY PUNGENT & MINTY ASIAN CURRIES, RICE, MARINADES, TEAS, STIR FRIES, SALADS, CREAM SAUCES, TEAS, INFUSIONS, SALAD DRESSINGS, interesting to scale SOUPS, STOCK PAIRS WITH STRAWBERRIES, OMLETS SAUCES, RICE, CANDY, CHEWING GUM up the farm to various

regions especially Pune

Working with the GPL Design Studio has and Bangalore as well as been a fun and ever evolving experience. The develop a smaller scaled brainstorming, designing, editing, and then prototype model for final build has resulted in a garden that we “ balconies. “are all proud of, and that is quite different from what we first started out thinking about. I have really enjoyed being part of the design evolution and watching the project go from concept to tangible farm thanks to everyones’ hard work. - Adrienne Thadani, Founder Fresh & Local BLUE PEA FLOWER THAI BASIL STEVIA SWEET & FLORAL, HIGH VITAMIN C SWEET, SLIGHT ANISE, SPICY SWEET TEAS, INFUSIONS, RICE, NATURAL COLOR- THAI CURRIES, TEAS, INFUSIONS, ASIAN SUBSTITUTE FOR SUGAR ING FOR FOOD, SALADS SALADS

82 83 LET’S TALK |/ VOLUME VOLUME 44 LET’SLET’S TALK TALK /| VOLUME 4

THE “ IMAGINE WALL “What do the mangroves do? - Midushi, Age 6 Prospective resident at The Trees

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MANGROVES One of our most successful prototypes this year has been the Imagine wall – a cutaway sectional art installation that correlates the promise of our development with the mangroves under Godrej’s stewardship. We collaborated with the Godrej Marine Ecology Center in order to understand the ecosystem and partnered with young and upcoming artists Ashwin and Kartik from ArtLab to create the layered installations and narrative.

The Godrej mangroves are one of the green lungs of Mumbai and provide valuable

services of climate regulation, nurture marine life, provide livelihoods to fisher folk “and host diverse wildlife like insects, birds, “ reptiles and mammals. This unique ISO 14001 certified private forest is conserved through research, protection and awareness initiatives and enlightens 6000+ visitors every year through nature education. - Laxmikant Deshpande, Manager: Wetland Management and Sustainability Godrej Marine Ecology Center

84 8585 LET’S TALK |/ VOLUME VOLUME 44 LET’SLET’S TALK TALK /| VOLUME 4

IMAGINE LIFE IN THE TREES 1 SHOOT DAY SHOTS 10 LOCATIONS 8 HOURS 20 MODELS

THE TREES AD FILM FRAMES/SECOND Imagine Life at The Trees In finalizing the treatment 1000 TREES AD FILM served as the starting for the film we followed FRAMES/SECOND point of visualizing the the same feeling that VS. mood board for our very most of us get while 30 YOUTUBE first ad film. Internal entering The Trees wherein studio engagements for a split second every and workshops were thing slows down. Lungs essential to understand are filled with fresh air, DAYS PRE PRODUCTION the cohesive design dappled light dances on 30 philosophy of the project. the floor begging you to PERSON PRODUCTION UNIT Our intent was to create look up and see the sky new meaning for what through the canopy of 150 luxury means in context verdant green trees. of the fast moving metropolitan city that is Mumbai. 2.16 LAC VIEWS 3270 LIKES 442 SHARES ON FACEBOOK

86 87 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

DESIGN LED CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT

IMAGINE YOUR NEW HOME

The sample apartments at missing bits with ones The Trees are thoughtfully imagination to make it curated by our in their own and become a house Design Studio to part of the painting itself. experientially imagine your This experience has been life in the development. very powerful where The narrative is based on majority of our customers demographic research have requested us for carefully woven into story information on how they telling across various can curate their homes. touch points for both the 3 and 1 bedroom Functionally, we have apartments. We evoke experimented with various the idea of a family or innovative ideas to make homeowners with distinct for brighter and better personalities that have living at The Trees. Based chosen to make a home on direct feedback and here. The experience from sales velocities begins when the viewer achieved during the launch walks in, and interrupts a (we were 75% sold out in regular day in the family’s the first 3 days), we found life whose preferences that customers not only and personalities in home appreciated our thoughtful making can be felt but approach but also gave they seem just out of us a big ‘thumbs up’ for sight. As the observer solving typical concerns journeys through the that one wishes could rooms, a number of be slightly better in our sensory stimuli tickle homes. All homes will their imagination to be of the highest green create associations and rating - IGBC platinum. aspirations that assist in As seen both in the 3 making spaces their own. and 1 bedroom sample It is as if one entered apartments, the homes through a portal into a come with luxury grade painting with a paintbrush specifications and fittings. and began to fill in the We have used flat slab

88 89 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 construction to avoid beam drops and allow for clean volumes and purity of space. Columns have been limited mostly DESIGN LED to the periphery of the CUSTOMER apartments creating flexibility in configuring ENGAGEMENT interiors. All living spaces have floor to ceiling glazing to maximize day lighting, views and natural ventilation. Kitchens come with utility balconies while bathrooms are generous and conveniently located. There is adequate storage space and utility areas to hide AC compressor units from the building façade. As seen in the 3-bedroom apartment, the larger units come with a double skin balcony that can be used as a conservatory or as an extension to the living room for additional space.

Smaller 1-bedroom units are cleverly and flexibly planned to maximize the use and perception of space for the available carpet areas. The one bedroom unit has a large bathroom and the option to have a semi open kitchen, which was much appreciated by the customers. Our research reveals that the majority of our customers have purchased their homes for end use - this is a big testament for the success of both the experiential and functional innovations that our Design Studio has put in place at The Trees.

90 91 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

Groups of people vintage style classroom and Kannadiga, a digital clustered over a tall bar desks, unfinished concrete marketer who loves the counter in oak, a huddle columns, a blackboard and mountains and a film on white tables under a refreshments corner. maker who has the most pools of light; fluttering Its 25 inhabitants who infectious laugh is just a post-its’ defining nascent form a part of a larger 60 sample of the rich diversity project conversations, strong pan India Studio you will find here. Together interesting prototypes are equally eclectic as they encapsulate the carelessly lying around, the space they occupy. Studio way of working scores of drawings and An interior designer who – doing, iterating and incongruously amidst loves found objects, an learning from each other in all of this focused work, urban designer who is an small engagement teams someone merrily humming aspiring graphic novelist, that come together and a tune on a swing. an environmental planner disband after delivering Welcome to an ordinary who can dance, a brand a successful project to day in the extraordinary strategist who blogs about reform again on a new life of the GPL Design food, a project manager engagement. Studio. Distinctive due who has visited most wild its black ceiling and life reserves in India, a overlooking the Godrej landscape architect who One atrium, our home simultaneously identifies away from home has herself as Punjabi, Bengali

92 93 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

NCR BANGALORE KOLKATA AHMEDABAD

NCR

CHENNAI

2.0

NAGPUR

MUMBAI

PUNE

L

RA

TE

A

L

L

O

C

E

AL V R I E T T A

L A L O E N

C R O E I C MAS V T TE I R A P T L

C A A

I N E F

I N

T

R R I

E N

C C

N G GRE E

PRODUCT

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

INTERIOR DESIGN

NAGPUR

REGIONAL

ENGAGEMENT

L A PUNE N SPECIAL D S C PROJECTS A

P

E

H

O

R

T

I

C

LANDSCAPE,

U

L

T

SUSTAINABILITY

U

R

E & HORTICULTURE

K STU AR ETIN DIO M G D A A H E N D O L M

R D

T N

C IN

IC IG U

I

U S S S S

U

L S E T T

T T

A D O R

U I

N A

M

R A

T

B E

E I

O

I

L R

I N

T

E

Y

N

G

H A

O

G

R

T

E

I

C M

U

E

L

N

T

T

U

VIS U

R

A

L

S C

E

U

O

S

M

T

A

M

I

N

U

A

N

H

B

O

I

C

R I

L

T

A I

I

C T T CHENNAI

Y

U I

O

L

T N

U

R

E

BENGALURU MUMBAI KOLKATA

AHMEDABAD

94 95 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

NEWS & NOTEWORTHY

PHOTO CREDIT - PRASHANT BHAT

96 97 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

SUSTAINABILITY A CALL FOR COLLECTIVE ACTION

Sustainability is an integral part of our DNA at Godrej Properties and we will “ DESIGN LED PR continue our endeavor to “set new benchmarks in delivering environmentally friendly projects across the country. - Pirojsha Godrej, Managing Director & CEO, Godrej Properties Ltd.

GPL JOINS THE SUSTAINABLE HOUSING LEADERSHIP CONSORTIUM

Godrej Properties has The Sustainable Housing The founding members to catalyze the green- joined the Sustainable Leadership Consortium of the consortium have buildings market and Housing Leadership has been formed by committed to make 100 promote climate-smart Consortium (SHLC), a early contributors in percent of their housing infrastructure projects in voluntary, collaborative India’s green building portfolio sustainable five selected cities with effort with leading Indian and affordable housing by 2017 through a focus on scalable and housing sector companies movement – Godrej appropriate green-building replicable clean energy to drive sustainability in Properties, Mahindra certifications and achieve and resource-efficient India’s housing market. Lifespace Developers 20 percent reduction in solutions. Brought together by the Limited, Shapoorji Pallonji incremental variable costs. International Finance Real Estate, Tata Housing The consortium will also Corporation (IFC), a Development Company, provide leadership and member of the World and VBHC Value Homes advocacy for broader Bank Group, the SHLC’s Private Limited. IFC will industry and government focus and mandate is to leverage private sector policy actions to make promote sustainable urban investments to facilitate 20 percent of India’s new development. greater uptake of certified housing construction green buildings, facilitate sustainable by 2022. policy dialogue between the private sector and The Sustainable Housing the government, evaluate Leadership Consortium technology levers and is an attempt to lock share best practices, raise in efficiencies and public awareness, and promote sustainable identify strategic actions growth in India’s housing for implementation. stock as the country rapidly urbanizes. It complements ongoing activities in IFC’s four- year Eco-Cities Program. The program is working

GODREJ ONE IN THE NEWS

98 99 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

THE IMAGINE STUDIO WINS A BLUE ELEPHANT AT THE KYOORIUS DESIGN AWARDS - 2015

GPL Design Studio and communications together with design industry. They hold awards partners Studio Lotus in 3 categories – design, won the prestigious advertising and digital. Blue Elephant at the Last year’s conference Kyoorius Design Awards theme was ‘What for the Imagine Studio pumps your heart’. Our at Vikhroli. The Kyoorius nomination was in the Design Yatra, an annual ‘Design for Space’ in conference attracts over branded environments 1300 participants each category. year from across the world and features the best and brightest in the creative

THE GOLDEN PEACOCK AWARD FOR SUSTAINABILITY - 2015 Godrej Properties was leadership, Godrej India’s ‘15th London declared the winner of the Properties embodies Global Convention on GODREJ ONE WINS NDTV AWARD - 2016 ‘Golden Peacock Award for a strong commitment Corporate Governance & Godrej One awarded Best Sustainability’ to environmental Sustainability’ and Global Commercial Building of stewardship. Business Meet. the year at the NDTV Godrej Properties Property Awards 2016. received this award The Award was presented for its commitment to at a specially organized sustainability under the ‘Golden Peacock Awards Godrej Group’s ‘Good Night’, a presentation & Green’ platform that ceremony held in London, covers the operational UK, in the presence of a cycle of the business as distinguished gathering of well as sustainability of business leaders during the product. Continuing IOD (Institute of Directors) with the Godrej Group’s legacy of environmental

100 101

LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 INSIDE STORIES“ “

Sam, opta evellab oriore- ces dolori acillup ieniae namet iditibeatem est lat dolorer issita quae. Et ac- culle nemposse explit opta nullant ut alitis rerferitia eum quam, quam vel ex esequi omnis conse dige- nia dolorem nectiunt laut as poreica boriat. Aque cullendis explab imi

102 103 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

CONSTRUCTION DIARIES

WORKING IN CORTEN STEEL

LOTUS, the architects to form the ‘protective’ for the Imagine Studio coating. proposed corten steel for cladding, roofing and While there were initial making louvers for both apprehensions on use the shed structures. of this material within the design and projects Weathering steel, teams, we did our best known under the research and decided trademark COR-TEN steel to proceed with it. We and sometimes written sourced the material without the hyphen as from a supplier who ‘Corten steel’ is a group supplies corten steel to of steel alloys which were huge shipping containers developed to eliminate from Mazgaon docks in the need for painting, and Mumbai. The total quantity form a stable rust-like used was 24,000 SFT. appearance if exposed to Post installation, the team the weather for several was eagerly waiting for years. U.S. Steel holds the the rust to set in, when registered trademark on unexpectedly there the name COR-TEN. were unseasonal rains in winter. Post these rains ‘Weathering’ refers to the entire corten roofing the chemical composition and cladding developed of these steels, allowing an orange hue, which them to exhibit increased was the original intent of resistance to atmospheric the architects. Usage of corrosion compared corten as an alternative to other steels. This is construction material once because the steel forms again proved that with the a protective layer on imaginative skills of the its surface under the design team backed by influence of the weather. technical research from The layer protecting the the projects team, such surface develops and alternatives can be made regenerates continuously a reality. when subjected to the influence of the weather. - Amit Sharma In other words, the steel is allowed to rust in order

104 105 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

PHOTO DIARIES

10 YEARS 7 NATIONAL PARKS 1. BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK 2. KANHA NATIONAL PARK OVER 3. PENCH NATIONAL PARK 4. CORBETT NATIONAL PARK 100 5. RANTHAMBHORE NATIONAL PARK TIGER SIGHTINGS 6. PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK 7. TADOBA NATIONAL PARK

Photo Credit- Chaitanya Hirlekar

106 107 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

DESIGN DIARIES

EYE CANDY - MIAMI ART DECO What should living across Baroque, Streamline Art the ocean look and feel Deco, decorated with like? tropical colours and motifs all the way to the newer It should feel like living 1950’s trend of Miami on a giant ship with sleek Mordern or MiMo. railings, portholes to view A 500m walk down Ocean the world from, blue skies Drive can take hours to and ocean, strings of wave complete, walking in and breakers, candy colours, out of these gorgeous nautical motifs, rounded lobbies where the interiors corners, shiny chrome, are made of luxurious polished and speckled materials such as of terrazzo and of course brass, marble, terrazzo, bedecked with a collection and surfaces in delicate of fantastic Art Deco gold leaf. The sculptures, typography. wall relief art and signage are an exploration of Walking down Ocean streamlined and geometric Drive, Miami is a visual beauty. treat for architecture lovers. Many of these The most iconic is Gianni buildings built between Versace’s mansion, on the 20’s and 40’s are a call whose steps he was out to some of the finest shot dead. Now a hotel, Art Deco buildings in the one can stand on the world. These buildings in very steps and take their prime saw the likes photographs. of Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, Rita Hayworth. Ocean Drive is still one I certainly wanted to wear of the most glamorous my shimmering flapper streets and a perfect place dress and walk down the to stop in for a Sunday boulevard transported brunch. back in time. - Jyotika Purwar The buildings are a rich showcase of Mediterranean Revival- Spanish Moorish, Italian

108 109 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

TRAVEL DIARIES

BACK TO THE MOUNTAINS

In the last few months landscapes. Walking and quite unexpectedly through these presumably so, I got to call the sleepy towns, mountains my home again I experienced the for a while. A connected unfamiliar societal journey of disjointed trails constructs and culture - through the remotest thriving in one of the village in Meghalaya to the the best examples of erstwhile summer capital preserved global heritage. of India; I discovered the From 150 year old colonial new and re-discovered the architecture to the living familiar. root bridges that were thrice as old; contrasts Obscure trails set amidst never fail to surprise and formidable ranges are the reason that I will reminds one of our own always go back to the insignificance and yet fill mountains. our souls with the pure beauty of their rugged - Megha Dada Chawdhry

110 111 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

FOOD DIARIES

FOOD AT GODREJ ONE AGLIO OLIO BY CHEF SAVIO

ISO 22000 : 2005 CERTIFIED BY BSI 100 STAFF 4 CHEFS FORMATS 40 1500 PATRONS 75 KGS OF ONIONS 50 DIFFERENT ITEMS ON THE MENU 5 CUISINES 2000 CHAPPATIS

112 113 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

DESIGNERS AS PRODUCT EVANGILISTS It had just been ten that making area days that I moved to the statements is relatively Design team at Mumbai easier compared to that I got the opportunity learning inventory sheets. that changed the way This definitely gave me I think about my job. a better understanding I volunteered to be a of the challenges my product evangelist for colleagues in sales face the launch of our flagship day in and out and for that project ‘The Trees’. my work is better.

Three days later I had my The tremendous learning, first experience on the the appreciation from BRINGING ALL OF ME TO THE WORKPLACE sales floor. Coming from Anubhav, Namrata, the drawing board to the Priyansh and Prashin; and I am not much of a party buzz of actual customer the great sales numbers animal, but still there I was super excited when engagement was thrilling. made all the hard work is no escaping some. A the Trees team gave me I spent two weekends worth it. I’ll tell you what couple of years back I a chance to make use of on the floor and it was a achievement feels like, was invited as a guest my skill set to train our call brilliant experience, full closing my first sale on the speaker at a Rotary event. center executives before of intense learning – from second day of this stint, Attending the same event the launch of project. granular insight into the by myself, an architect! I were some women who This was going to be our project and learning carpet am so looking forward to were dressed up like flagship project and these I was extremely happy areas of unit typologies, to launch of the next phase. ‘Christmas Trees’. Yes, I call center executives that I could contribute using my insight to read don’t intend to disparage, were going to be the my bit towards the grand people and customize the - Bani Kaur but there you had it - first point of contact for success of The Trees! product pitch. Let me tell dangling jewellery, all a number of customers. my architect colleagues glittering gold bangles and The first impression - Manisha Patankar so much gilt that I could always makes the lasting hardly see what clothes impression and hence, they were wearing. To my it was imperative that further disappointment, these executives were despite their being well professionally trained. educated, they were extremely hesitant When I trained them, in starting a simple not only did I further conversation. And that’s refine their telephonic what got me thinking. conversation skills but There are a lot of men, also emphasized the women, boys and girls importance of presenting from all walks of life, who a pleasing personality. need guidance in soft skills The superficial training and development of their of communication skills personality traits. Being a would never suffice, certified and trained image because no matter what, consultant, with unique the basic personality experience with ‘Train the of the individual would Trainers’, I have decided to always come through make this as my mission. during any conversation.

114 115 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

CAREERS - 2.0 AT GODREJ ‘Architecture is not a come to a grinding halt. profession for the faint I am grateful for more hearted, the weak willed than the opportunity; I or the short lived’ - these have come to cherish words by Martin Filler the positive work a prominent American environment, the Studio architecture critic seem culture with approachable most pertinent for women design mentors and for whom the profession the push towards is both punishing and constant innovation. unforgiving after they have Moreover, I have been a child. included in various important discussions, This holds true across and, entrusted with CONVERSATIONS ON DESIGN countries and the prospect responsibilities and critical of pursuing a career in project deliverables. Each The 361 degrees Design Some thoughts I took design with a toddler at day I learn something and conference was an away: home should have left discover a new strength excellent opportunity to James Law, known for the me daunted. Had it not in myself. I have received learn more about critical i-pad tower in Dubai was been for an opportunity a lot of recognition, approaches to design. It inspired by the Apple i-pod through Careers 2.0, my encouragement and was fascinating to see which he saw in charging aspirations of working assurance in my short how a French architect position on his desk and in the field and growth tenure at GPL. practicing in New Delhi decided to replicate it in towards a long-term for the past two decades his design with a tilted career would have - Tarannum Syed approaches design and structure at 6.5 degrees contrast that with a from the regular vertical Chinese architect who buildings. As the project believed in building intended to be a high tech as separation from an residential pad, he decided uncertain context and to title it the ‘i-pad’. He compare both with an received a letter from American architect who Apple (USA) not to use preferred to respond this term and understood to human scale. Unlike the reason only when the most others, the Apple i-pad was released conference was engaging in the market two years with creative classes later. represented in the audience. This encouraged - Manmohit Chawla debates amongst speakers on the role a successful architect can play beyond constructing built form, with relevance to the city and its citizens.

116 117 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4 LET’S TALK / VOLUME 4

DESIGN SENSE, BUSINESS SENSE, COMMON SENSE?

With the increasing up for continuous capital complexity that appreciation – something characterises the real we can give back to our estate business, it has mother brand. Good never been more essential design should equate to to apply design thinking great business sense. principles to development. The rest is up to you in It may be useful to invest harnessing this untapped that thinking, planning tool for executing your resolution time in the goals, roles, decisions, early stages of the project systems and processes.

to get the foundations right. Robust bones make

for good pedigree and in our case ensure that the “ development cycle is set

If you think good design is expensive, you should look at the cost of bad design. “ - Dr. Ralf Speth, CEO Jaguar

118 119 ON BEHALF OF

CREATIVE EDITORS NAMRATA MEHRA JYOTIKA PURWAR