--- title: "Modern Commercial Workspace Design as Urban Campuses" description: "We design commercial architecture that functions as urban campuses, integrating public plazas and nature into your office. Explore our approach to modern workplace design." canonical: https://mytribe.in/malik_architecture/architectural-design/the-urban-campus-reimagining-commercial-spaces last_updated: 2025-09-30 --- # Designing Commercial Workspaces as Urban Campuses Tribe Verified · Iconic commercial landmarks across India. By [Malik Architecture](https://mytribe.in/malik_architecture) · Takes projects across India; Visit office at Ballard Estate, Mumbai · ₹950 ₹ per sq ft of built-up area (estimate) Part of [Architectural Design](https://mytribe.in/malik_architecture/architectural-design). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/malik_architecture/architectural-design/gallery) Moving beyond the conventional office to create dynamic environments that foster interaction, community, and a fluid relationship with the city. ## Photos and videos - ![The Unit Trust of India HQ, the first building in Mumbai's BKC district, was designed to project stability and a futuristic outlook. Its form is an amalgamation of historical influences and contemporary adaptations, creating a timeless architectural statement.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/82734c69-6993-48df-a868-5720103c317f) - ![A detail of the UTI Headquarters facade, where solid, rock-like forms meet reflective glass. A metal sculpture appears to float between the panels, representing the balance we sought to achieve between strength and progressiveness.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/24d513ca-f64b-4e9a-93e6-6e3126ff95b7) - ![The facade of the UTI HQ features two cantilevered glass prisms that part to reveal a curved 'malad' crete wall. This interplay of materials and forms creates a dynamic tension, symbolizing an organization that is both solid and transparent.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/74defa0e-1725-4394-9b83-8e6b83068a47) - ![The atrium of the Unit Trust of India HQ was conceived as both an origin and a culmination point for the entire structure. Paintings by Lakshman Shreshtha mark the east and west, symbolizing the rising and setting sun within the grand, cascading space.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/83894b9f-f405-46bf-89a9-5cff4dbf17de) - ![Revisiting the Unit Trust of India HQ 27 years later, we introduced curvilinear forms of striated wood. These elements appear like scattered sculptures, breaking the rectilinear geometry of the original structure to meet the organization's evolving needs.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/08605da1-6df5-418f-b0be-47f3aa5194d4) - ![In the updated design for the UTI HQ, a translucent wall separates spaces while allowing light to filter through. This intervention respects the original structure's 14-meter clear spans while introducing a new, softer language of curvilinear wooden forms.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/20723a80-3610-47a1-8432-fd800c16eb57) - ![The updated entrance lobby of the UTI HQ, where new design elements are integrated with the original structure. The goal was to retain the building's powerful identity while adapting its interiors for a more contemporary and flexible workflow.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b9a49522-2c9e-4bc7-9378-8c803168d7e7) - ![The Mankind Headquarters in New Delhi reimagines the commercial building's role in the urban fabric. The design voids the street level to allow nature in, creating a publicly accessible space that mediates between the private workspace and the city park.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9e5dffe1-35af-4275-9f9e-8a8ff5415465) - ![A view between the two wings of the Mankind HQ, showing the layered facade and the green space below. The building uses cantilevers and corbels to project the workspaces outward, preserving views while shading the community areas at the ground level.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/90b1e07d-ab60-4753-9106-5aa364fb2210) - ![The Mankind HQ is surrounded by a dense green edge, and the design seeks to continue this dialogue with nature. The building's form is shaped by strategic excavations and shifts in response to light, views, and the desire for increased urban porosity.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/96e75c36-91ca-4a65-bb1b-41350a5d2d72) - ![A comparison of the architectural section and the completed facade of the Mankind HQ. The design's intent to create layered terraces and shaded transitions is realized in the final form, linking the internal program with the natural landscape.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6ec498a1-ddc7-42a8-a873-b8d46a80812d) - ![The lobby of the BCG Headquarters in Mumbai, featuring a dramatic spiral staircase that descends from a central cone. This space is organized around a circular, skylit courtyard, creating a powerful first impression that echoes Bombay's industrial heritage.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/80b044c1-da80-40e0-9638-f7991804e071) - ![A detail of the spiral ramp and staircase at the BCG HQ. The design uses a palette of honest materials like concrete, steel, and wood, with glass railings ensuring transparency and visual connection between different levels of the "vertical campus."](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/12430061-8d5f-4ef9-b8a0-cae619d807d2) - ![The central staircase at the BCG HQ is a key organizing element. It slices through the campus, connecting different "villages" or work zones and transforming generic corridors into an articulated, three-dimensional street.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2c06cbd0-00b6-4662-bc4c-d18f1496335f) - ![Looking down the central void of the BCG HQ, the interplay of curves and straight lines becomes apparent. The design creates a fluid, human-centric environment that encourages movement and interaction between teams.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4638c4d5-76e3-4e23-81e9-c90a9ab3a884) - ![The corridors and transitional spaces in the BCG HQ are designed as "streets," moving away from the generic office layout. The use of textured brick and soft lighting creates a warm and inviting atmosphere for informal connections.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8374c57d-a6d8-47e2-b182-678a960970dc) - ![A curved wall finished in weathered steel guides movement through the BCG HQ. This focus on materiality and form helps to create a rich sensory experience, transforming the workspace into a dynamic and engaging environment.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8fc032ac-e336-4124-aa35-5a7bc368faab) - ![The central cone and spiral staircase at the BCG HQ create a powerful sculptural presence. This feature is not just an aesthetic choice but a strategic one, designed to break down the stratification of a typical office tower and foster a sense of community.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b197a76b-1ea1-43c6-a82d-1dbaf75e80c0) - ![A view of the spiral staircase at the BCG HQ, where the dark steel structure is illuminated by a skylight above. This central void acts as a light funnel, drawing daylight deep into the floor plates of the office campus.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bf87c99c-0605-47f6-a293-b97dc7d6a002) - ![A composite image showing the abstract form of the central light funnel and the finished spiral staircase at the BCG HQ. The design merges sophisticated technology with simple materials, creating complexity through the re-interpretation of architectural elements.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/df26d62d-1e36-4355-925f-8ee497725347) - ![The work lounge at the BCG HQ features a staircase with a unique projecting brick pattern. This is an example of how simple materials can be used in unconventional ways to create texture, beauty, and a distinct sense of place.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/39575b41-5425-4079-9001-66469d375d16) - ![A staircase at the BCG HQ with a solid steel balustrade and textured brick wall. The design is a highly calibrated hypothesis, merging simple strategies with sophisticated technology to create a fluid and sustainable work environment.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/566b2759-6a2c-4bcb-a2c4-27348cc20d59) - ![The amphitheater and cafe area at the BCG HQ provide informal spaces for collaboration and relaxation. The use of low-impact, sustainable materials like brick, stone, and terrazzo is anchored in a philosophy of genuine sustainability and social connection.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8c10a6cc-37bc-4abc-b55c-ebee2b4ea26a) - ![The stepped seating of the amphitheater at the BCG HQ is a central gathering space. It is part of a fluid arrangement of rooms and pre-function areas that speak of a certain ethos, encouraging community and interaction within the campus.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d9ee713f-61c5-40b8-9bf4-af4c1199b77a) - ![I am proud to announce that the Mankind HQ project has been shortlisted for The Plan Award 2025. This recognition encourages my exploration of how commercial architecture can contribute positively to the urban environment.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/dfc23de7-fb17-4812-8bb9-3bdaa43a8506) ## About The Urban Campus: Reimagining Commercial Spaces In my approach to commercial design, I actively void the ground level to invite the city in, creating vertical streets and public plazas instead of closed, static lobbies. If you are planning a headquarters, we should discuss how your specific site constraints can be transformed into opportunities for porosity and movement, rather than just optimizing for floor plate density. The modern workplace should not be a sealed box. When we design commercial spaces, we treat them as 'urban campuses' rather than singular office buildings. By integrating traditional planning devices, such as stepwells and streets, we create fluid zones that encourage serendipitous interaction among employees and visitors alike. At the Mankind Headquarters in New Delhi, we voided the ground level to preserve views of the adjacent park and create a publicly accessible transition zone. This strategy mediates the relationship between private work and the public domain, turning the building into a participant in the city rather than an isolated object. Similarly, our work on the BCG Headquarters in Mumbai uses a central, skylit courtyard and a spiral staircase to transform generic circulation corridors into a dynamic, three-dimensional street. We utilize these design strategies to achieve a balance between transparency and stability. Whether working with heritage structures or new builds, the objective remains the same: to create an environment where the architecture actively contributes to the workflow and well-being of its occupants. This requires a forensic understanding of light, wind, and social behavior long before we draw a single line. ## About Malik Architecture I do not design objects, I nurture environments. I see myself as a catalyst, helping spaces find their own natural order. My goal is to create workplaces that feel less like cubicles and more like living, breathing extensions of their surroundings. [See all of Malik Architecture's services](https://mytribe.in/malik_architecture) ## More from Architectural Design by Malik Architecture - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/malik_architecture/architectural-design/featured) - [Private Sanctuaries: Homes in Dialogue with Nature](https://mytribe.in/malik_architecture/architectural-design/private-sanctuaries-homes-in-dialogue-with-nature) - [Hospitality & Retreats](https://mytribe.in/malik_architecture/architectural-design/hospitality-retreats) - [Archaeology of the Present: Adaptive Reuse & Restoration](https://mytribe.in/malik_architecture/architectural-design/archaeology-of-the-present-adaptive-reuse-restoration) - [The Architect's Hand: From Sketch to Structure](https://mytribe.in/malik_architecture/architectural-design/the-architect-s-hand-from-sketch-to-structure) - [The Making Of: A Glimpse from the Site](https://mytribe.in/malik_architecture/architectural-design/the-making-of-a-glimpse-from-the-site) - [Philosophy, Press & People](https://mytribe.in/malik_architecture/architectural-design/philosophy-press-people) ## More services by Malik Architecture - [Design & Build Services](https://mytribe.in/malik_architecture/design-build-services) - [Heritage Restoration & Adaptive Reuse](https://mytribe.in/malik_architecture/heritage-restoration-adaptive-reuse) - [Interior Design](https://mytribe.in/malik_architecture/interior-design) ## Similar work from other experts - [Reimagining the Urban Workplace](https://mytribe.in/m9_designstudio/architectural-design/reimagining-the-urban-workplace) by M9 Design Studio · Architectural Design · Architectural projects across India; Studio in Yeshwanthpur, Bengaluru - [Innovative Commercial & Mixed-Use Hubs](https://mytribe.in/architect_reza_kabul/architectural-design/innovative-commercial-mixed-use-hubs) by Reza Kabul · Architectural Design · Takes projects across India; Visit office in Bandra West, Mumbai - [Commercial Architecture and Modern Office Design](https://mytribe.in/anoop_kumar_architects/turnkey-design-build/commercial-corporate-architecture) by Anoop Kumar Architects · Turnkey Design & Build · Based in Gurugram; takes projects across the NCR and pan-India - [Design for Campuses for Innovation & Well-being](https://mytribe.in/studio.chintala/landscape-urban-design/campuses-for-innovation-well-being) by Studio Chintala · Landscape & Urban Design · Studios in Bengaluru & Vijayawada; Projects Pan-India - [Innovative Commercial & Workspace Architecture Design](https://mytribe.in/pratinavchadhaarchitects/architectural-design/innovative-commercial-workspace-architecture) by Pratinav Chadha · Architectural Design · Takes projects across India; Visit studio in GTB Nagar, Delhi - [Architecture for Public and Work Environments](https://mytribe.in/studio_thirdspace/architectural-design/public-work-environments) by Thirdspace · Architectural Design · Studios in Pune & Belagavi; Projects across India ## Book To book Malik Architecture, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%2C%20I%20am%20interested%20in%20discussing%20a%20commercial%20project.%20I%20saw%20your%20work%20on%20the%20Urban%20Campus%20cluster%20and%20would%20like%20to%20explore%20this%20approach%20for%20my%20site.)