'Studio i' to handle architectural KPO

Gensler, the San Francisco-based architecture design company, and Singapore-based architecture firm, Space Matrix, have set up their joint venture — ‘Studio i’ in Bangalore. ‘Studio i’ has been set up to handle architectural and interior design knowledge process outsourcing (KPO).

The company’s operations will be carried out from its facility at Divyashree Park SEZ in Whitefield, Bangalore.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Anurag Srivastava, chief executive officer, Space Matrix, said, “Key factors like design capacity, cost and capability of Indian talent has led Gensler to form a joint venture with us. Through Studio i, Gensler will have access to trained architects and designers for its execution globally.”

“In addition to architecture services, design development and construction documentation will also be taken up in India. The team will get involved right at the design phase based on project needs and goes up to their execution,” he added.

Initially, the company plans to recruit about 20 persons to begin operations and gradually increase the strength to 150 to 200 by end of first year of operations depending on the projects to support Gensler requirements.

According to Daniel W Winey, managing principal, pacific northwest and Asia, Gensler, “In addition to KPO, our strength in building high raise structures will be put to use through Space Matrix in India. But, here we are facing many difficulties by way of different bye laws which govern construction and execution of high rises.”

Gensler and Space Matrix presently have 10-12 projects in hand through partnership and on a standalone basis totalling 10 million square feet, valued between $75 million and $1 billion in residential, airports and office space accommodation.

Prominent projects include designing airports at Chennai, Goa and Vadodara, design and development of twin towers — a 1.5 million square feet residential project for Divyashree Developers in Bangalore.

A five million square feet mixed use (retail, office and hospitality ) project for Bajaj Hindustan in Hyderabad.

“Space Matrix, on its own, has about 100 projects in their various stages of construction. India plays a vital role for us and 65 per cent of our revenues are generated here,” said Srivastava.