A research and development workplace with ESD built into every workstation
HARMAN, Chennai, India
HARMAN required a 30,000 sq. ft. workplace for its automotive and mobility research and development team. The brief was to create an aesthetic and functional office while accommodating the electrostatic discharge or ESD specifications required across the workstation area.
The technical requirement shaped the workstation design, power planning and service coordination. At the same time, the floor needed to retain the familiar look and daily usability of a conventional workplace.
At a glance
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A 30,000 sq. ft. Design and Build workplace created for HARMAN's research and development team in Chennai.
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The workstation system integrated the required ESD components while retaining the appearance and usability of standard office workstations.
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The workstation and MEP solutions were finalised through workshops with HARMAN's research team and the modular workstation vendor.
Integrating ESD into the workstation design
The central design task was to incorporate the required ESD components into the workstations. These elements could not be treated as visible additions after the workstation system had already been selected.
The workstation configuration was therefore developed around ESD performance from the outset. The technical provisions became part of the workstation itself, allowing the area to maintain a clean and familiar office appearance.
Collaboration spaces designed for everyday work
Multiple collaboration settings were distributed across the floor. Each was planned to support group discussions while remaining practical enough to function as an alternative workstation when required.
This gave the research and development team more places to continue individual or group work away from their assigned desks.
Finalising the workstation through joint workshops
Multiple design workshops brought together HARMAN, the modular workstation vendor and the project team. The workstation layout and ESD components were reviewed together before the final design was agreed.
This process allowed the technical requirements, modular furniture system and everyday use of the workstation to be resolved as one design.
Coordinating MEP design with the research team
MEP planning was developed with HARMAN's research team so the building systems responded to the equipment and technical requirements of the workplace. Electrical and related service decisions were coordinated alongside workstation development.
This coordination aligned the workstations, ESD components and services before execution.
ESD requirements were integrated into the workstation system so the research floor retained the look and daily usability of a conventional workplace.
- Client
- HARMAN
- Industry
- Automotive and Mobility
- Status
- Completed
- Location
- Chennai, India
- Area
- 30,000 sq. ft.
- Scope
- Design and Build