How Real Estate is Embracing Art, Biophilia & Flexibility for Modern Lifestyles

By: Nagakrupa Srinidhi, Director – Development Management, RMZ

Nagakrupa Srinidhi, is a seasoned architect with over 27 years of experience, specializing in delivering world-class Commercial Real Estate. Her expertise lies in managing large-scale mixed-use developments across office, retail, and premium residential sectors. She has strong leadership, technical, and people management skills, with a focus on innovation, problem-solving, and results-driven project delivery.

In a conversation with Women Entrepreneurs Review Magazine, Nagakrupa shares her insights on the influence of the current economic climate on design trends in Commercial Real Estate. She explores how developers and architects are adapting to evolving work dynamics, tenant demands, and the importance of balancing aesthetics with environmental responsibility.

How is the current economic climate influencing design trends in commercial real estate?

The current economic climate is reshaping Commercial Real Estate design by emphasizing sustainability, flexibility, and community integration. Developers are adapting by incorporating adaptable layouts and sustainable materials to meet changing work dynamics and tenant demands.

Innovations like IoT-powered solutions, energy-efficient systems, and biophilic design elements are increasingly utilized to enhance wellness and operational efficiency.

Additionally, integrating art and creating vibrant, multifunctional spaces that foster community and well-being reflect a shift towards holistic environments. These trends align with a broader focus on sustainability and inclusivity, responding to the evolving expectations of modern workplaces and urban living.

Sustainability often conflicts with aesthetics. How do real estate firms reconcile these two aspects to create visually appealing yet environmentally responsible spaces?

We reconcile sustainability and aesthetics through the integration of sustainable building materials, smart energy-efficient designs, and designing to be one with nature, without  compromise. This balance is achieved through meticulously thought through design elements that blend sustainable practices, such as renewable energy utilisation and water-efficient designs seamlessly with innovative architecture.By embracing art, biophilia, and community-centric experiential design elements, we ensure that  our spaces are both environmentally responsible and aesthetically captivating, while promoting all round well-being for the community.

As technology accelerates, how is it reshaping the design and construction processes in real estate?

The rapid advancement of technology is significantly transforming the way we approach design and construction in real estate. We utilize tools like Building Information Modelling (BIM) to detect and resolve potential issues early, while drones assist with site surveys as well as surveillance and project monitoring. 3D renderings and animation enable us to visualize projects in detail, ensuring that every design element aligns with our vision. We are also exploring Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) for immersive client experiences, such as virtual walk-throughs, which are likely to become industry norms.Real estate companies can leverage tech in all aspects of design and development practices far a faster and smarter product delivery.

How do global real estate design trends influence local markets, especially in regions like India where cultural and climatic factors play a significant role?

Global real estate design trends are significantly influencing local markets, even in culturally rich regions like India. We design our spaces taking inspiration from the culture and heritage of the locality while blending global technology and innovative best practices, to provide a top-notch experience.

Simultaneously, there is a rising trend towards wellness-centric designs for healthy buildings, that emphasize natural light, views, large open spaces, art and biophilic elements. These features are intended to enhance well-being of occupants and align with the global movement towards a focused mindful living, particularly in urban environments.