Hubble
Godrej & Boyce
To succeed in a consumer and business environment which is dynamic and always in flux, the organisation wanted to create a prototype space which would be an example of what a future workspace could be like. The genesis of Hubble was part of the cultural and innovation change process in the organisation. Hubble is a platform that allows people to engage with each other. It provides a framework for doing work, for collaborating, and leaves it up to the people to decide how they want to collaborate. It’s a loosely controlled environment where individuals can come in, explore, meet and engage with one another.
Strategic Research
To deliver on the purpose, we conducted a research across a section of employees within the organisation with an aim to understand the users. The research mainly focused on how the employees are currently engaging themselves in a professional work environment. We asked them questions around, how they take a break...what do they do ? What do they seek for ? What do they need in order to start experiencing some of the desired changes and what it means to them to be part of the new environment ?
Environment
Hubble is a young, vibrant, multi- dimensional space designed to facilitate different user needs in an office environment. It is a place where one can soak in the atmosphere and get some “ME” time or “WE” time.Hubble has welcoming ambience for people to work. It offers all the tools and support, considered for a thoughtful office space and many comforts of home. There is right blend of privacy and isolation for the user to work yet feel connected to a larger space. The natural tone of the materials and the green inside the space makes it more of an outdoor refreshing space and is a healthy break from the usual office environment. Each element in Hubble is created keeping the user’s need in mind. The work pods allows you to sit comfortably and work on your laptop without distractions, while the cozy area created by the circular cocoon chairs offers a relaxed seating. Hubble is a platform to ideate, it is a space where one can connect to communities which are different than normally encountered. It is a space built on the belief that only when people come together and collaborate meaningfully, effective solutions that are good for many can be developed.
Product
The space fulfils the demand of overlapping activities like eating, working, events and exhibitions. The furniture elements are designed such that they fulfil the requirements of various activities. They are flexible, modular and has a playful character.
NotePad is a movable screen with a writable surface. The screen is flexible to be configured in open spaces to support work and privacy for the user. NotePAd is compact and opens up like a book, the outer surface is finished with felt which acts as an acoustic barrier while the inner surface is a writable one and finished with 3M. The hidden castors make it unobtrusive and easy to move around. The fabric hinge enables different angular arrangements and creates smaller zones within the space.
Tetris is a modular furniture system inspired from the Tetris video game with possibilities of various configurations which helps in customising different user needs. It consists of a detachable cube structure which sits on a metal wire frame. The cube is independent of the wireframe structure and is floating from the floor. One of the surfaces of the cube is finished with wood which makes for a good work top while others are cushioned which makes for a comfortable seat.
Bookshelf is a simple and effective modular unit which grows with the book collection. The module is navigational and it gives a flexibility to be fixed at a desired angle according to the user need. The modules are individually fixed to the wall using a keyhole plate. The colourful units create an interesting pattern on the wall and redefines book stacking.
Brand
Hubble is first prototype space at the Godrej head office in Vikhroli, Mumbai, an example of a future office. This was a small step in the direction of cultural change in an organisation with a legacy of 122 years.The genesis of Hubble identity is based on the strong community presence of Godrej as a manufacturing company. Hubble experiences are a canvas for new thoughts and directions for the organisation. It gave business directions for various division of the company. With Hubble furniture; Godrej Interio; the furniture division of Godrej and Boyce started a new product line called Social Office which consists of products and furniture for co-working spaces. Hubble experience also kick started the project of changing work culture at all the other Godrej branch offices across India.
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