WoCO One, Gurugram | Design Forum International (DFI)

The economic hotspot surrounding the NH-8 corridor in Gurugram has witnessed rapid commercialisation over the last decade. Premium hotels, IT parks, office campuses, and recreational hubs collectively reflect this transformation. Set within this evolving urban fabric, WoCO One, Gurugram, introduces a refreshed approach to workplace planning, one that places the needs of a modern workforce at the forefront.

Located near the NH-8 intersection, the project benefits from excellent access to transit nodes, marquee hotels, and key commercial centres, all within a comfortable 15-minute walking radius. Leveraging this advantage, WoCO One adopts a Walk-to-Work model that reduces dependence on vehicular movement while promoting a healthier urban lifestyle. Supporting this vision, the WoCO Vault integrates sustainable mobility solutions such as smart bicycles and EV charging stations, aligning seamlessly with the expectations of eco-conscious professionals.

WoCO One Gurugram: A Walk-to-Work Workplace Model

From the moment one enters the site, pedestrian movement takes precedence. The master plan establishes a direct walking connection to the nearby subway system. With the IFFCO Chowk Metro Station located less than 650 metres away, the development ensures a seamless on-foot commute for everyday office users. This planning decision strengthens the project’s passive sustainability approach.

At the same time, privacy is not compromised. The tower is enveloped by strategically layered landscaping, featuring plantations of varying heights and foliage density. This green buffer maintains visual connectivity with the surroundings while shielding the workspaces from the bustle of the arterial road.

Passive Sustainability and Climate-Responsive Planning

Rising nine floors above ground with an additional terrace level and a triple-level basement below, WoCO One Gurugram spans nearly 2 lakh sq. ft. Designed around principles of passive sustainability and future-ready workplaces, the project has achieved IGBC Platinum certification through a thoughtful blend of active and passive measures.

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The building programme is organised into three distinct segments. The Greens, spanning floors one to four, offer single-height, open-plan workspaces. The Woods, located between floors five and seven, introduce triple-volume workspaces while maintaining a consistent spatial language. These zones extend into spill-out balconies along the southwest façade, where vertical fins act as shading devices to reduce heat gain.

An insulated glass façade allows ample daylight while mitigating glare and thermal load. As a result, the project achieves a 32% reduction in the LPD Index, lowering overall electrical demand. Intelligent lighting systems, efficient HVAC planning, and controlled lighting layouts collectively support a sustainable post-occupancy lifecycle.

Designing Flexible Workspaces for a Post-Pandemic Workforce

The terraces on the eighth and ninth floors function as double-volume landscaped workspaces, encouraging collaboration in naturally lit environments. Above these levels, the semi-covered Sky Garden serves as a shared community space, offering landscaped zones for relaxation and informal interaction. The terrace design also supports 100% rainwater collection and reuse, integrating sustainability into everyday operations.

Internally, the floorplates are designed for maximum efficiency and flexibility. Each 17,000 sq. ft. open floor allows multiple configuration possibilities. Double-volume cut-outs enable the transformation of floors into duplex or triplex workspaces. Deep terraces and expansive balconies—extending up to 24 feet—blur the boundary between work zones and breakout areas.

Decentralised service cores positioned at the extremes ensure clean, unobstructed floorplates. This layout allows organisations to reconfigure furniture and workspace arrangements with minimal disruption over time.

A Workspace Beyond Work

Ease of movement remains central to the user experience. Destination-Controlled Lifts (DCLs) reduce waiting times by optimising vertical circulation. Eight elevator clusters further enhance internal mobility during peak hours.

Leisure and recreation are woven naturally into the design. Breakout zones, the rooftop Sky Garden, and informal collaboration spaces follow a sequence of unfolding spatial experiences. Amenities such as a rooftop café, bar, and lounge areas encourage social interaction beyond working hours, responding to the evolving work-life balance of the post-pandemic world.

On the ground level, 352 sq. m. of landscaped area featuring native shrubs and layered plantation helps reduce soil erosion. Nearly 95% of the exposed roof area is treated with high-SRI finishes and vegetation, significantly mitigating the Urban Heat Island Effect. Rainwater harvesting systems ensure that maintenance processes remain circular and resource-efficient.

WoCO One Gurugram challenges conventional office typologies by dissolving rigid boundaries between work and recreation. Through walkability, flexible planning, and passive sustainability, the project sets a new benchmark for contemporary workplace design. As the World of Cool Offices, WoCO offers a blueprint for reimagining how—and where—we work.

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