At the Commercial Design 23rd Smart Office India Summit, Swatasiddha Majumdar, Principal of Strategy at Unispace India, joined an esteemed panel of industry leaders to explore the timely theme of "Cost-Effective Excellence: Redefining Workplace Design Within Budget & Timeline."
In an era defined by economic pressures and evolving work models, the panel unpacked how strategic foresight, technology, and creativity can intersect to deliver high-performing, cost-conscious workplaces. Swatasiddha brought to the table his hallmark blend of insight and practicality, particularly around the role of AI and the critical importance of workplace strategy.
How AI Empowers Innovation While Keeping Budgets in Check
When asked how AI can retain innovation while reducing cost, Swatasiddha cut through the hype with a grounded take:
“AI is often painted as either a job-taker or a silver bullet. In reality, it's neither – but it is a practical and exciting tool in our space.”
He outlined three key ways AI is transforming workplace design:
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Data-Driven Design Decisions: AI can crunch enormous datasets on how spaces are actually used – from underutilized desks to high-traffic zones. This enables data-backed decisions, preventing costly overdesign or misaligned investments.
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Accelerated Ideation: With AI generating hundreds of layout options based on defined constraints, designers gain a richer starting point. Far from replacing creativity, this speeds up the "what-if" phase, letting human designers focus on refinement and innovation.
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Predictive Forecasting: AI tools can help anticipate material cost fluctuations or project delays, helping project teams make smarter decisions earlier – ultimately freeing budget for those impactful design elements that matter most.
“It’s not about AI being the sole innovator,” Swatasiddha added. “It’s about AI taking the heavy lifting off human hands so they can focus on creativity, strategy, and people.”
Each overhead sensor tracks occupancy patterns to guide smarter seating plan designs in the future
Why Workplace Strategy Is the Cornerstone of Cost-Effective Design
Swatasiddha also emphasized that no technology – not even AI – can replace the foundational role of workplace strategy.
“Without strategy, you're designing in the dark,” he said. “Sure, the space might look good – but does it work for the business? For the people? Often, the answer is no.”
He laid out four compelling reasons workplace strategy is essential:
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Aligning Design with Business Goals – Whether a company is scaling down, going hybrid, or doubling down on collaboration, the workplace must reflect and support these strategic shifts.
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Understanding People, Not Just Space – Strategy starts with understanding how employees work, what challenges they face, and what environments help them thrive.
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Future-Proofing for Agility – A strong workplace strategy looks ahead. It accounts for changing work styles and technologies to avoid premature obsolescence.
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Justifying Every Dollar – When workplace design is backed by strategy, it moves from an aesthetic choice to a business case – one that delivers measurable ROI through productivity, talent retention, and space efficiency.
Play area is the key for The Bank of New Zealand to engage younger generation
“Strategy is the ‘why’ behind the ‘what,’” Swatasiddha said. “It’s what turns a building into a business tool.”
As organisations across India and beyond continue to explore smarter ways to design spaces that inspire, perform, and adapt, the conversation is evolving — and it's through shared insights and open dialogue that meaningful progress happens. Swatasiddha Majumdar’s contribution at the Smart Office India Summit was a reminder that achieving excellence doesn’t have to mean overspending. With thoughtful strategy, purposeful design, and the right tools, we can create impactful workplaces that truly support people and business alike.
We look forward to continuing these conversations and learning together — because shaping the future of work is a collective journey.
About Swatasiddha Majumdar, Principal, Strategy, India
Swatasiddha Majumdar is the Principal, Strategy at Unispace India, a global design and build firm that specializes in workplace strategy, design, project management, and construction. With over two decades of professional experience, Swatasiddha leads the strategic initiatives at Unispace, where he focuses on architecture, workplace strategy, and project integration management.
He holds a Bachelor of Architecture & Planning from the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee (1996-2001) & Postgraduate in Advanced Programme in Product Marketing from Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta.
