Diageo Gurgaon Workplace

The project responded to Diageo’s relocation from Bangalore to Gurgaon, requiring a workplace that could bring together a largely new workforce while expressing its culture of hospitality and premium brand identity. The challenge was to move beyond conventional, density-driven office models in India and create a destination that fosters connection, belonging, and shared experience. Balancing global brand language with local cultural richness, the design also had to unify three floors into a cohesive, intuitive environment—ensuring seamless navigation, strong visual identity, and a consistent experience across diverse teams and functions.

The design repositions the workplace around community, shifting away from density to create a more human, experience-led environment. With a radical 45% of collaboration and community space provided, neighborhoods along east and west wings, are anchored by central hubs encouraging movement, interaction and connection. The helical stair forms a defining moment, connecting all three floors while embodying the concept of distillation. Material and architectural language blend industrial references with Indian craft, expressed through layered textures, warm metals, and artisanal detailing, creating a rich, immersive environment that reinforces identity, supports intuitive wayfinding, and grounds the workplace in its local cultural context.

At its core, the workplace is purpose-driven, designed to support how people connect, feel, and perform. By prioritising community over density, it fosters collaboration, belonging, and a more engaging employee experience, strengthening culture, productivity, and retention. The design elevates Diageo’s presence in India as a premium, people-centric brand. Sustainability is integrated through energy-efficient systems, local sourcing, and water-saving strategies. More broadly, the project redefines the workplace as a destination, demonstrating how design can enrich how people feel, connect, and thrive at work while setting a new benchmark for experiential, hospitality-led offices.

Narrative driven experience: Diageo’s ‘Purpose, Process and Products’ are embedded throughout, with spatial sequences, installations, and crafted details narrating the journey of distillation and the making behind its iconic portfolio. Iconic environments: A central, hospitality-led destination featuring a circular Urli-inspired counter and bespoke lighting representing the six stages of distillation, set against handcrafted brickwork and artisan-made installations inspired by grains, berries, and botanicals. Material expression: Copper, oak, concrete, and other industrial finishes drawn from distilleries are layered with Indian materials such as Lakhori brick, brass, handmade tiles, and Jali screens—creating a tactile dialogue between global heritage and local identity. Architectural form: Vaulted and pitched ceilings recall cellar and barn typologies, integrating lighting, acoustics, and services into a cohesive spatial language. Brand moments: Custom panels, lighting, and installations subtly reference Diageo’s product heritage, enriching everyday touchpoints across the workplace. Circularity: Over 70% of materials are locally sourced, with recycled and repurposed elements, such as reclaimed barrels and glass bottles, supporting a circular approach. Local crafts: Engagement with regional artisans embeds cultural storytelling and traditional making techniques into the design. Atmosphere and experience: Layered textures, warm metals, and crafted finishes create an immersive, hospitality-driven environment that elevates the atmosphere.