The opening of Unispace’s new Bangalore Studio marks an important chapter in the growth of our business and capabilities in India. More than a workplace, the Studio is a living showroom, an opportunity to demonstrate how Strategy, Design and Delivery come together to create spaces that are purposeful, inspiring and built around the people who use them.
The brief centered on creating a place where our people feel a genuine sense of belonging, while bringing the Unispace global brand to life through a distinctly local expression. It is a commitment to design as an act of empathy, responsibility and connection. It challenges the inward-facing tendencies of traditional design approaches by embracing a model rooted in listening, co-creation and long-term impact. This concept recognizes that our design decisions ripple outward, affecting people, systems and environments far beyond the drawing board.
At its heart, the Studio brings together our people, ideas and capabilities in an environment that is distinctly Unispace and proudly rooted in Bangalore.
Knitting Global Design with Local Craft
Space with context, a translation of the rich culture of Indian artisans, age-old handicraft techniques and traditional products into today’s landscape through new products and innovative materials.
The design concept brings together refined, contemporary lines with layers of locally inspired detail. Rather than simply referencing the region aesthetically, we saw an opportunity to involve artisans and makers directly in the creation of the Studio, embedding craftsmanship, community and a sense of place into the workplace experience.
The art piece Contours of Many Hands brings together multiple craft traditions to tell a single, layered story. Textile forms the base of the installation, abstractly representing the varied terrains of Karnataka, from its water bodies and plains to denser, undulating landscapes. These shifts are expressed through different embroidery techniques, executed by kashidakars (embroiderers) from Lucknow. Each stitch variation adds texture and depth, translating the geography of Karnataka into a tactile surface and reflecting the many hands and craft traditions involved in its creation.
This approach also reflects the spirit of Unispace’s Art for Impact campaign, which recognizes the role that art can play in creating positive social impact and stronger connections between workplaces and their communities. For the Bangalore Studio, this meant looking beyond art as decoration and creating opportunities for makers to contribute their skills, stories and perspectives to the space.
The art piece Where Karnataka’s Landscapes Meet the City’s First Light brings together two defining identities of Karnataka, the natural terrains that shape its geography and the everyday human energy that shapes its cities. The concept draws inspiration from Karnataka’s diverse natural and cultural landscapes, moving from the misty hills of Coorg, the forests of Bandipur and the rugged stones of Hampi to the vibrant morning scenes of KR Market, where the city comes to life each day through colour, movement and craft. Together, these references capture a journey from the state’s natural beauty to the energy and rhythm of everyday urban life.
Rather than literal recreations, the space interprets these terrains and moments through textures, forms and craft traditions from artisans across India. Flora, fauna, baskets, textiles and everyday objects become subtle cues representing both the land and the people who animate it. Together, the workplace becomes a living narrative of Karnataka, one that feels grounded in its natural beauty, enriched by its cultural rhythm and connected to the human stories that make the state come alive every morning.
Suspended installations crafted from banana fibre were created in collaboration with women-led artisan groups, bringing natural and sustainable materials into the workplace while celebrating traditional craft. Elsewhere, a hand-knotted installation interprets the flora and fauna of Karnataka’s rich landscape, creating a tactile connection between the Studio and its surroundings. The installation introduces softness and fluidity into an otherwise structured environment. The woven forms move through the ceiling like a continuous ribbon, creating a sense of rhythm, lightness and organic flow.
Even the smallest details contribute to the story. Metal insects crafted from scrap brass by a lohar (traditional metalworker) from Kishangarh reference both the region’s industrial character and the importance of material reuse, transforming discarded materials into intricate pieces of art. These elements introduce movement and contrast, both in material and form, while also reusing discarded metal in a thoughtful way.
Together, these elements create a workplace that is recognizably Unispace while feeling deeply rooted in Bangalore, connecting our global identity with local culture, craftsmanship and community.
Embracing the Existing Architecture
The design and construction approach was heavily influenced by the character of the existing architecture. Rather than concealing it, the Studio celebrates the building’s truss roof, using its volume and structure as an integral part of the workplace experience.
Natural daylight was maximized throughout the space, while openable windows allow employees to take advantage of Bangalore’s temperate climate for much of the year. Fresh air can flow naturally through the Studio, reducing reliance on air conditioning when conditions allow and creating a closer connection between the workplace and its environment.
An outdoor area extends the workplace beyond the building, providing a relaxed setting where employees can step away from their desks, mingle with colleagues or simply spend time outside. Access to daylight, fresh air and the outdoors creates opportunities for moments of pause and informal connection throughout the working day, supporting employee wellbeing and a healthier workplace experience.
Together, these interventions demonstrate how thoughtful design can work with the existing building and local climate to create an environment that is comfortable, resource-conscious and centered on people.
Adapting to the Rhythm of Work
Flexibility and agility sit at the heart of the workplace. The Studio was conceived not as a static office, but as an adaptable environment that can respond to different people, activities and moments throughout the day.
The work café plays an important role in this experience. Designed with movement and flexibility in mind, it transitions from an informal place to meet, work and connect to a setting for events, learning sessions and larger gatherings.
This flexibility extends across the Studio, allowing spaces to be reconfigured to host everything from small client conversations, workshops and roundtables to larger-scale events. Rather than creating dedicated spaces that remain unused between events, adaptable settings allow the workplace to continuously shift between everyday work, collaboration, learning and hospitality.
The Studio therefore becomes more than a home for our teams. It is a destination for our clients and partners, a place where we can exchange ideas, share knowledge and demonstrate the possibilities of an agile workplace firsthand.
At the point of arrival, the material library takes a prominent position within the Studio. More than a resource for designers, it celebrates the materials, ideas and craftsmanship that underpin our industry. Its visibility reflects the integrated nature of Unispace’s approach and provides clients with a tangible window into the decisions that shape the spaces we create.
A Living Expression of Unispace
The Bangalore Studio brings together workplace, showroom, event space and creative hub within one environment. It demonstrates our Strategy, Design and Delivery capabilities not through presentation alone, but through the experience of the space itself.
From local craftsmanship and sustainable materials to adaptable settings, access to outdoor space, natural ventilation and the celebration of the building’s existing architecture, every element contributes to a workplace grounded in both purpose and place.
Most importantly, the Studio creates a sense of belonging for our people. It provides different ways to focus, collaborate, learn, socialize and recharge, while giving our teams a flexible environment that can evolve alongside the business.
The Bangalore Studio provides a home for the next chapter of Unispace in India, a place that brings our people, clients and partners together, celebrates the creativity and character of its local context, and demonstrates firsthand the Strategy, Design and Delivery expertise that defines Unispace.
