EY’s new Bengaluru office, designed by ANJ Group, redefines modern workplace design by merging transparency, sustainability, and human-centric design into one seamless, highperformance environment.
Perched in the heart of Bengaluru and overlooking the lush green expanse of Cubbon Park, EY’s new office exemplifies how modern workplaces can seamlessly blend openness, sustainability, hospitality, and high performance. Conceptualised and executed by ANJ Group, this 1,90,000 sq. ft. space goes beyond the conventional corporate mould, ushering in a future-ready, human-centric design philosophy that celebrates transparency, well-being, and brand storytelling.
From the moment one steps off the elevator, the space reveals its intent. A sweeping, unobstructed view from the lift lobby to the staircase immediately signals EY’s core values, `transparency, openness, and connectedness’— translated architecturally. “The vision for EY’s Bengaluru office was centred on creating a workplace that reflects openness, hospitality, and natural synergy with its surroundings,” says Jay Kularia, Executive Director, ANJ Group. “From the get-go, we aimed to blur the boundaries between inside and outside by incorporating biophilia, natural light, and warm tones to deliver a holistic, high-performance workplace,” he adds.
Designing for a globally recognised brand like EY meant the office had to go beyond functionality—it needed to reflect a deeprooted cultural ethos. “EY’s strong emphasis on sustainability, inclusivity, and human-centric design played a key role in shaping the interiors,” shares Kularia. “One of the earliest and clearest client requirements was that all greenery had to be real—no artificial plants or creepers— highlighting their commitment to authenticity and wellness.”
This guiding principle steered the team towards a calming yet sophisticated design language grounded in earthy palettes, clean lines, and natural textures. The interiors, while aligned with EY’s global standards, also reflect Bengaluru’s local context, making the space feel simultaneously international and grounded.
The office is spread across two floors, each distinctly zoned yet seamlessly connected. The third floor, aptly named Business Bay, is dedicated to client interactions. Here, hospitality reigns. “It’s entirely clientfacing and curated with a hospitalityfirst mindset,” says Kularia. “Rich materials like marble, natural veneer, and plush lounge furniture define the space, creating an ambiance that’s both formal and welcoming.”
Executive suites, high-end meeting rooms, and waiting lounges are designed to evoke the sophistication of a luxury hotel rather than a traditional corporate office. Meanwhile, the upper floor is home to EY’s internal teams and focuses on collaboration, comfort, and functionality. “We planned the zoning carefully to maintain discretion without disrupting flow,” he notes. “The internal level is intentionally open, with large workstations, collaborative hubs, and focus zones that all benefit from abundant natural light.”
At the convergence of these two floors lies EY Square—a dramatic double-height atrium that not only connects the levels but also embodies the office’s spirit. “EY Square was envisioned as a modern Town Square—a central, unifying element that encourages informal collaboration, gatherings, and team interactions,” Kularia explains. “It’s not just a passageway; it’s a hub for energy, dialogue, and creative exchange.”
An adjoining outdoor patio enhances the experience. Designed as a cafémeets-breakout space, it continues the indoor-outdoor narrative and deepens the biophilic design ethos. “The patio reinforces our theme of bringing the outside in and offers employees a refreshing reprieve within the workday,” he adds.
Workplace design today must support both collaboration and individual focus—a challenge ANJ Group met with a layered, strategic approach. “While large collaborative areas like EY Square promote teamwork and interaction, we were careful to create quieter zones and focus pods across the internal floor,” Kularia elaborates. “Acoustic treatments, tactile materials, and subtle spatial transitions help employees shift from high-energy zones to calm, distraction-free areas.”
This thoughtful zoning allows employees to intuitively navigate between different modes of work, offering flexibility while maintaining functional clarity. The selection of materials throughout the office was both aesthetic and symbolic. “
The Business Bay section uses high-end, hospitality-grade materials like marble and luxurious upholstery to provide a refined client experience,” notes Kularia. “In contrast, the internal workspaces embrace a warmer, earthy palette— rust tones, deep greens, and natural textures that evoke calm and reflect EY’s people-first philosophy.”
Where possible, materials were locally sourced and environmentally responsible, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to sustainability.
Positioned advantageously to overlook Cubbon Park, the office design optimises its natural surroundings.
“Natural light was a cornerstone of the spatial planning,” Kularia says. “We oriented workstations to receive maximum daylight and used transparent partitions and reflective surfaces to distribute that light throughout the floor plates.” Not only does this reduce dependence on artificial lighting, but it also positively impacts mood, productivity, and energy efficiency—key considerations in today’s employee wellbeing-focused design landscape.
When asked which aspect of the project he’s most proud of, Kularia answers without hesitation: “EY Square. It stands out not only spatially but experientially. It’s a convergence zone, a café, a social anchor, and a collaborative powerhouse—all rolled into one.”
He continues, “Its integration with the patio, its ability to harness natural light, and its flexibility of usage—all reflect the essence of future-ready workplace design. It embodies the balance between brand, culture, and context.”
In every way, the new EY office in Bengaluru redefines what it means to design a modern workplace. With its fusion of hospitality and performance, community and focus, nature and technology, it’s a living, breathing example of what tomorrow’s workspaces must aspire to be: intentional, inclusive, and deeply human
