A new corporate campus on the outskirts of Chennai aims to redefine the traditional office environment. Designed to prioritize people, nature, and creativity, the campus diverges from conventional office complexes, fostering a more holistic atmosphere for its occupants.
The architectural vision draws from places including Princeton University in the United States and historic buildings across Europe, where Zoho Co-founder Sridhar Vembu had studied. For Zoho co-founder and Chief Scientist Sridhar Vembu, the design is closely linked to the way people work and think. The campus also places nature at the heart of its design. Sustainability is built into the campus infrastructure. All wastewater is treated and reused. One of the campus’ distinctive features is a pond that has been preserved and transformed into a campus lake. Besides adding to the landscape, it serves a practical purpose by supporting rainwater harvesting. The emphasis on conservation extends across the campus, where large and spacious work areas sit alongside greenery and open spaces.
As Zoho Corporation marks 30 years of operations, NDTV got a rare glimpse inside the company’s 64-acre headquarters – a sprawling campus that combines neo-classical architecture with large workspaces, walking paths and an unusually strong focus on sustainability. The buildings across the campus are designed to inspire Zoho’s teams, with the facility having the capacity to accommodate up to 15,000 people. It has around 62,000 trees and more than a lakh plants, while extensive walking areas connect different parts of the sprawling property. Zoho says 85 per cent of its energy comes from renewable sources, while 92 per cent of the water is recycled.
“We wanted to create buildings that inspire people as we spend most of the time at work,” Mr Vembu says.
Zoho to Open Campus to Visitors
Zoho’s headquarters, characterized by its neo-classical architecture, is set to welcome visitors soon. This opening will provide an opportunity for the public to explore the unique blend of architecture, technology, and sustainability that defines the company’s working environment.
