In conversation with Reinhard Kretzen, Stuart Allan and Anton Jansen van Vuuren
URBAN SPACES
People actually want to spend time there, which is the whole point.” Well-being facilities, from a mothers’ room to a prayer space and a wellness room for massages, reinforce Cipla’s people- first ethos. A small ‘think tank’ provides a calm retreat for focused work, its green palette chosen to balance relaxation with stimulation. Evolving a brand and design language Urban Spaces’ design strategy hinged on creating a spatial language rooted in Cipla’s values. “I lived and breathed this space for a year,” says Anton. “We developed icons based on the company’s ethos, and you’ll find them subtly embedded everywhere – in ceiling treatments, in tiling, in furniture shapes. Those become the golden threads.” The result is a workplace that feels cohesive without being monotonous. Cool tones in administrative zones promote calm and concentration, while warmer colours in breakaway areas encourage relaxation. In the canteen, bold orange acoustic panels energise the space and biophilic greenery softens the edges. Even functional areas carry the same attention to detail. The team was fortunate to have a fairly generous tenant installation budget, both from Rabie’s side as the developer and from the client’s side. It was employed to make every aspect of the space feel considered. “We’re very proud of the final product – Anton, Reinhard and their teams went above and beyond to curate a great user experience, right down to the bathrooms,”
Ground-floor cloakroom
schemes that can be selected for events and functions. Beyond aesthetics: the corporate real estate impact Although the design narrative is rooted in brand and aesthetics, the real estate implications are equally significant. Relocating to Century City offered Cipla a beautiful new address, and employees
says Stuart Allan , Managing Director of Urban Spaces. Hero elements also provide moments of pride as touchstones for employees and visitors to the building alike. A ‘hero’ product wall showcases Cipla’s most successful lines, while LED-lit balconies on the façade allow the company to signal support for causes such as breast cancer awareness through adjustable colour
better transport access, links to schools and gyms, and a wider package of staff benefits. For a company with more than 500 employees in the building, these factors play directly into recruitment, retention and well-being. Urban Spaces is also well versed in managing change processes very carefully – and although they worked with change champions in each department in order
October 2025 | Issue 141 | Asset Magazine 177
176 Asset Magazine | Issue 141 | October 2025
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator