Designed by Tania Bhatia Shringi, Founder & Principal Architect, Studio Novoforma, the Lifelong Headquarters occupies 6,000 sq. ft. within the vibrant corporate landscape of Emaar Capital Towers, Gurugram. Tasked with addressing the challenges of a compact floor plate and a topheavy layout dominated by private MD zones, the design responds with a clear spatial hierarchy that maximises both functionality and flow.
Upon arrival, the MD cabins — complete with private lounges and meeting spaces are positioned to one side, offering a sense of privacy and exclusivity. Opposite, an arrangement of openplan workstations seamlessly integrates with peripheral offices for the CEO and CFO, striking a thoughtful balance between collaborative energy and individual focus. At the heart of the layout sits a customisable conference room, the spatial and functional anchor, designed for easy access from all zones and serving as a dynamic hub for interaction.
Subtle infusions of the brand’s signature red bring a layer of identity and refinement, while the overall design language reflects quiet luxury, precision, and purpose-driven spatial planning.
Flanking one side of the office are the MD cabins, each tailored to reflect the personal tastes and work styles of the occupants. From floating marble-top desks to adjustable workstations, every element has been custom-designed. The cabins also feature integrated technology, with power points and USB ports discreetly placed to maintain a clean aesthetic. Columns within these spaces are clad in laminated glass, doubling as whiteboards, a solution that merges function with refined detailing. Chevron-patterned flooring in the MD cabins creates a sense of spaciousness, reinforcing the overarching theme of understated luxury while creating a cohesive yet personalised environment.
The layout strategically positions the open-plan workstations along the periphery, ensuring daylight reaches deep into the workspace. Peripheral offices for CEOs and CFOs have been designed with glazed partitions to allow light to flow through, maintaining visual connectivity while offering privacy. Custom-designed desks in varying configurations—L-shaped and straight—were incorporated to meet senior management’s and their teams’ needs. These workstations feature baffles with a dual function: laminated mesh glass for translucency on one side and a metal plate for magnetic and writing purposes on the other. Despite the limited floor area, a small breakout space has been incorporated near the centre of the open-plan layout, providing a casual area for employees to unwind.
Centrally located for accessibility from both the executive and open-plan zones, the customisable conference room is a versatile design feature. It can function as a single large conference room or be divided into two smaller meeting rooms, made possible by a bespoke sliding-folding partition. Crafted from veneered wood panels with integrated ceramic writing surfaces on both sides, the partition blends utility with refined aesthetics. Adding to the room’s adaptability is a custom-designed marble conference table, engineered to split into two smaller tables, ensuring flexibility and understated elegance.
Biophilic and sustainable elements are carefully integrated into the Lifelong Headquarters, aligning with the overall emphasis on creating a workspace that balances functionality with quiet luxury. Hanging planters integrated with lighting fixtures, alongside potted plants placed on storage cabinets, introduce greenery that enhances the workspace’s visual and emotional appeal. These features soften the environment and create a tranquil and inviting atmosphere. Sustainability is another key focus, with material waste minimised wherever possible. Off-cuts from the ceramic writing boards used in the conference room have been repurposed as horizontal boards along the walls of the open-plan area, ensuring efficient use of resources.
Throughout the office, the material palette reflects a commitment to quiet luxury. The fixed column grid, a design constraint, has been creatively addressed by cladding columns with laminated glass and engineering wraparound furniture to minimise visual intrusion while maximising functionality. Engineered wood flooring laid in a chevron pattern adds a sense of depth and spaciousness. Handcrafted veneered groove panels adorn the walls, eschewing typical WPC solutions for a more refined finish. Even the reception desk and bathroom walls have been meticulously crafted from marble and wood, emphasising the attention to detail in every aspect of the design.
Despite the inherent challenges of a top-heavy layout—with a high proportion of cabins relative to open-plan spaces—the Lifelong Headquarters achieves a cohesive design that balances distinct executive zones with collaborative areas. By carefully curating each element, from the lighting to the furniture, the design fosters productivity and a sense of understated elegance, making it a standout workspace in Emaar Capital Towers.
