Samhita Dey: The Evolution Of Workspaces- How India’s Offices Are Adopting Innovation And Flexibility

India’s office design landscape is experiencing a quiet yet significant transformation. As work transforms from rigid, hierarchical routines to flexible, hybrid ecosystems, the physical environments are evolving too. Today’s offices are more than functional spaces - they are active, dynamic ecosystems designed to shape how teams think and collaborate.

Driving this creative transformation is a new generation of design professionals like Samhita Dey, AVP – Real Estate & Design at Simpliwork Offices, who brings a human-centric perspective to modern workplace design. “Workplaces today are immersive environments that shape how we collaborate, innovate, and function as teams,” she explains, highlighting that the design-led shift in India’s offices is more than aesthetic - it’s cultural.

JLL’s Future of Work Survey 2024 highlights that 90% of Indian organisations require at least three days in-office - surpassing the global average of 85%. More than half (54%) expect office attendance to rise further by 2030. “This is reshaping spatial strategy,” Samhita observes. “We design modular layouts with movable walls, multipurpose furniture, and biophilic elements that support hybrid rituals.”

One key shift Samhita identifies is the emergence of creative work zones: pods, lounges, ideation nooks, and quiet rooms. “These aren’t decorative - they’re strategic,” she says. “They foster spontaneity, inclusivity, and diverse collaboration styles.” This aligns with Steelcase findings that 64% of employees in vibrant, thoughtfully designed spaces feel more engaged.

Well-being is no longer optional, it’s vital. CBRE reports 80% of employees consider wellness-centric design a major factor in choosing employers. “We incorporate natural light, greenery, ergonomic layouts, acoustic comfort, and mindfulness zones,” Samhita says. “Design isn’t just functional - it’s restorative.”

India is increasingly drawing from global pioneers in workplace design, utilising color psychology, sensory elements, and immersive design to stimulate creativity and well-being. “There’s a noticeable shift from maximizing square footage to crafting experiential value,” she says. “Reception areas are becoming brand narratives, cafeterias social hubs, and meeting rooms ideation labs.”

Technology is integrated into office DNA - booking-enabled pods, integrated AV systems, and connectivity tools support seamless hybrid collaboration. “Tech is the silent enabler - supporting presence and participation regardless of physical location,” she notes.

Design innovation isn’t just feel-good, it delivers results. Research indicates thoughtfully designed workspaces can enhance employee engagement, retention, and productivity. Workplace design is being recognized as a measurable tool for performance.

Summarizing the shift, Samhita says, “Today, we’re designing not just for productivity, but for possibility. The contemporary Indian office is crafted as a “living, breathing ecosystem” that adapts to human needs, encourages creativity, and redefines the experience of work itself.”, she signs off.

India’s offices are poised to become global exemplars of the workplace of tomorrow - dynamic, human-centric environments that adapt to the needs of a changing world. The next era of workplace design will be defined not just by how we work, but by how we live, think, and connect within these spaces.

Samhita Dey, Assistant Vice President, Real Estate & Design, Simpliwork Offices

Over the past decade, women have made notable progress across various sectors of the Indian economy. From biotechnology and space science to finance and entrepreneurship, women have entered traditionally male-dominated fields and contributed to reshaping business practices. Interestingly, while most industries are seeing the rise of women in the workforce, real estate - despite playing key role in India's development- continues to be dominated by men.

In recent years, dynamic women leaders have emerged to spearhead the next phase of growth of the realty sector. However, most are still operating in the residential real estate segment. Women in leadership positions at the helm of commercial real estate, are still a minority. Thankfully, youth have become increasingly experimental in the job domain and are now, largely gender and sector agnostic, while choosing professions, thus paving the way for more women to consider non-traditional roles.

Samhita Dey represents a rising generation of woman leader in the Indian commercial real estate sector, who is contributing to the evolution of the outsourced office segment through her architectural acumen, leadership capabilities, and a strong sense of creativity. Currently working as the Assistant Vice President to the COO at Simpliwork Offices, Dey manages wide range of operations including process and workflow management, design management, supervision of the real estate portfolio across India, financial feasibility of projects, and inter-department coordination, among others. Additionally, she plays a key role in strategy development at Simpliwork, one of India’s prominent outsourced office providers. Given that outsourced offices are still at a relatively nascent stage in the Indian real estate sector, Dey is among the early women professionals contributing to the growth and direction of this segment.

Dey holds a Bachelor of Architecture from SMVD University, J&K, and completed her early education in New Delhi. Samhita Dey has developed her expertise through certifications in Strategy Execution and Leading with Finance from Harvard Business School Online. These programs have enhanced her skills in strategic planning and financial leadership. Samhita was honored with the Outstanding Leadership Award at the MoRE Realty 2.0 Conference in Dubai 2023 for her contributions to the industry. She also recently received an award for ‘Best Commercial Office Space Design’ at the iNFHRA 9th Edition Workplace EXcellence Conference & Awards. Since childhood, Samhita has shown an interest in creative pursuits. She is passionate about learning new languages, an indication of her desire to learn new skills. She was involved in volunteer work for SOS Children’s Villages of India and served as a child welfare educator for the ‘Each One Teach One’ program. She also strongly believes in the concept of ‘Housing for All’ and the pressing need to make homes affordable. The young professional aspires to aid Simpliwork Offices in becoming the leading player in the outsourced office segment, with many more pin codes under its belt.