A growing number of global capability centres in India are reshaping what an office looks and feels like.
Step into many GCC offices today and the experience feels closer to a café or community space than a traditional workplace. At OakNorth’s new office in Udyog Vihar, a barista welcomes employees as they enter a glass lined space overlooking Gurugram. More than 350 employees work in an environment designed to reflect a global hub rather than a conventional office.
This shift is visible across cities. At Availity India’s Bengaluru office, the entry zone resembles a coffee lounge built for informal conversations, with a formal reception connecting both ends of the floor. Leaders say such spaces are no longer decorative choices but cultural statements.
“Physical space is now seen as an extension of culture, shaping how people collaborate, think, and innovate. Increasingly, GCCs use design as a tool to bring global values to life in a tangible, everyday way,” said Malahar Pinnelli, VP and country leader, 7 Eleven Global Solution Center.
The result is a clear move away from closed cubicles. Open floors, transparent layouts and non hierarchical seating are becoming the norm. “Our spaces reflect openness and transparency, which encourages in building a non hierarchical organisation. Three distinct spaces across all offices are focus spaces, collaboration spaces and community spaces,” said Archana Iyer, Director Property, Tesco Business Solutions, which operates a 15 acre campus in Bengaluru.
Employee well being sits at the centre of this design philosophy. “Our campuses incorporate wellness pods with natural light, quiet mindfulness rooms, on site fitness zones, and our signature Oxygen Park at the Pune location,” said Manoj Nair of Fujitsu. Sun Life Global Solutions in Gurugram offers massage chairs and access to a visiting doctor, while Wayfair India provides Cultfit memberships and large cafeterias across its Bengaluru office.
Local identity is also finding a place within global design frameworks. Sun Life Global Solutions features meeting rooms named after Indian states, walls celebrating cricket icons and employee created artwork. Availity India integrates Braille signage, subtle flooring changes for visually impaired staff and Indian art styles across its walls.
According to Savills India, GCCs leased 112 million sq ft between 2020 and 2024 and are expected to add 180 million sq ft between 2025 and 2030. A JLL report shows GCCs accounted for 35.5 percent of gross leasing in Q3 2025, driven mainly by BFSI and manufacturing.
“Top talent today looks for workplaces that reflect innovation and purpose. A brand aligned space signals that the organization invests in its people and their experience,” said Iyer. In a competitive talent market, the workspace itself has become part of the promise.
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