Workspace Build & Design: Seamless Execution Insights

In an exclusive interview with Samrat Pradhan, Managing Editor at Industry Outlook, Abi Roni Mattom, Country Director India of Unispace, reflects on the dynamic evolution of workplace design in India. He highlights the importance of blending global insights with local expertise, prioritizing functionality over aesthetics, and fostering sustainability, collaboration, and innovation to meet the future of work.

Abi Roni Mattom, a corporate real estate strategist with 2 decades of experience, specializes in workplace design, construction, and strategic planning. Skilled in team leadership, project management, and client engagement, he drives innovative, evidence-based solutions for global organizations.

How can global expertise be effectively balanced with local market nuances to deliver customized workplace solutions that meet diverse cultural and client expectations?

The workplace design industry is fast-paced and constantly evolving, shaped by diverse cultures and varied experiences across different regions. Hence, companies operating globally must tailor their solutions to meet the specific expectations of their clients, recognizing that there is no one-size-fits-all approach.

Organizations with a presence in multiple countries and often spanning 10 to 15 markets at any given time understand that effective workplace design requires deep knowledge of how clients operate and their unique aspirations for each project. Rather than relying solely on external experts, many companies empower their local studios and teams to drive design, delivery, and service, ensuring solutions are grounded in the realities of each specific market. While global insights and best practices are invaluable, successful workplace strategies depend on carefully balancing these with local nuances. 

Ultimately, we at Unispace emphasize the importance of local teams working closely with clients to understand their needs, while integrating global expertise to create tailored, effective workplace environments. This balance between global knowledge and local market understanding is essential for delivering solutions that truly resonate with diverse client bases.

How does a Country Head develop strategies to address the differing expectations across different geographies in India?

One of the primary factors for working in India is the pace of the market. This means agility paired with adaptability will be needed to keep pace with the extraordinary growth that India is experiencing. Everything needs to be faster; not sure if it is the diminishing quality or cost efficiency, more a willingness to focus on scale and flexibility.

The clients in India want and expect speed and adaptability, which has become a core mantra for the Unispace India team. We purposefully operate to keep pace with the ever-changing client landscape. From the onset, the goal was to put together a strong, cohesive team that could achieve their common goals. While strategy, tools, and technology are critically important, it is the team of people working toward a common goal that is really responsible for success. The team is similar to a family unit and is constantly aligned to a single objective, which is to meet and exceed clients' expectations at every point of the project.

How can the industry leverage advanced technologies to drive the innovation needed and deliver effective, scalable solutions?

In an industry where speed, precision, and adaptability are increasingly vital, Unispace stands out for its deep integration of advanced technology across workplace strategy, design, and construction. However, the traditional practices are still common in the market, and the companies should adopt a data-driven, tech-enabled approach that sets a new benchmark for efficiency and innovation. Therefore the workplace strategy approach should rely on a wealth of data captured from research that spans across the globe.

For example, a recent study conducted in 14 countries encompassing 5,000 full-time employees from Gen Z to Gen X provided the data set to develop principles truly grounded in evidence. A specialized group of researchers synthesizes these findings into a flexible set of design principles that can be applied to any client or project, keeping them grounded in local conditions when necessary. This research method continually lends itself to design thinking and provides trustworthy, evidence-based solutions constantly looking toward the future in support of employee desires and business aspirations.

Looking at digital technology, it is becoming a crucial factor in increasing productivity, precision, and improving customer experience in the modern design and construction sector. Many well-established firms are leveraging many advanced solutions (including spatial digital twins) and proprietary platforms (such as UniPIM) to establish a design process. With this technology, design teams can create rich 3-D environments that allow workplace experiences to be simulated prior to any in-field construction. 

As a project begins to move into the construction phase, digital systems will continue to be a differentiator. Cloud-based systems such as Procore allow the entire project to be managed in real time while enhancing predictability in schedule management and communication across stakeholders. Visual tracking technology such as open space can further enhance collaboration by providing real-time site updates to all parties involved allowing for an accurate representation of progress and expectations.

This proactive and early detection of design conflicts helps diminish likely unforeseen site conditions, helps with more accurately forecasting fluctuation in cost, design changes, and delivery timelines. 

In what ways can organizations promote greater sustainability within the workspace?

In the fields of design and construction, sustainability is becoming viewed as a fundamental principle approached through strategically and holistically. So, I would say one common strategy is to ensure that professionals responsible for the designs are accredited sustainability consultants,with globally recognized accreditation standards such as LEED and WELL. These professionals have unique knowledge and expertise that informs sustainable design decisions on a project-by-project basis. Similarly, there is procurement, and the construction teams are involved on the ground with suppliers that adhere to and incorporate environmentally friendly practices. Leaders in the industry are continuously assessing and working with suppliers and organizations that embrace sustainable sourcing and low-impact material choices to represent environmental responsibility within the supply chain.

From a leadership standpoint, best practices are to support the grouping of internal teams in accordance with a unified sustainability vision and with changing customer demands. Innovative organizations create solid training protocols-led primarily through People and Culture departments-with a focus on continuing education for employees. Moreover, executive leadership is to project and site managers, with a goal of ongoing up-skilling. The method of training is often guided by emerging trends globally, innovation opportunities as well as updates to sustainability standards in the market. 

Looking ahead, what is the future roadmap for workspace evolution and what major shifts or trends can we expect in the coming years?

There is a growing concern across all levels of the workforce, from leadership to new employees, and it is about the way offices are designed and experienced. People are becoming increasingly vocal about their preferences for the workplace environment. Survey reports indicate that employees are speaking up more than ever about how their workspaces should function and feel. A recurring theme that emerges is the importance of the "three Cs": comfort, calm, and customization. This shift in employee expectations is seen as a positive development, as it enables leadership to respond proactively and support the creation of workspaces that truly meet the needs of their teams.

This momentum is clearly building. The notion that offices are becoming obsolete is inaccurate; offices are here to stay. While the design and typology of office spaces may evolve, particularly in response to trends accelerated by the post-COVID era, the demand for physical workplaces remains strong. For instance, traditional layouts featuring vast rows of workstations are becoming less common, as many individual tasks can now be effectively handled from home. However, the purpose of office spaces is shifting toward enabling collaboration, building trust, and fostering a sense of community.

Looking toward the near future, by 2030, the offices will continue to play a central role in how organizations function. The square footage may remain consistent, but the types of spaces within them will adapt to new working styles. Ultimately, the future workplace will be more empowering, encouraging people to come together, collaborate meaningfully, and drive stronger results.

Lastly, what advice would they offer to young and aspiring entrepreneurs, leaders, or professionals who aim to stay ahead and make an impact at organizations like Unispace?

From a modern workspace perspective, the focus is no longer on simply creating beautiful-looking offices. Today, the priority lies in understanding the actual needs of employees and end users. Functionality has taken center stage, with design increasingly expected to follow function rather than the other way around.

For designers, project managers, construction professionals, and all stakeholders in the built environment industry, this shift calls for a more user-centric approach. The objective should be to design and deliver spaces that empower individuals to perform at their best. By placing functionality at the forefront and aligning design with user needs, the industry can create work environments that enable people to thrive and be the best version of them.