In an industry marked by constant evolution and innovative disruption, few leaders stand out as prominently as Arnab Ghosh, the Managing Director at Colliers. He is a highly experienced real estate professional with more than three and a half decades of experience in the industry. He has extensive exposure in managing various aspects of project development including design, cost and construction management across various asset classes.
Over the last decade Arnab has led various teams to deliver more than 25 million sft of fitted out spaces for corporate clients across India. With a career defined by insightful strategy, leadership, and a commitment to transforming spaces and communities, Arnab Ghosh has become a pivotal figure in shaping the real estate landscape.
In The Best Creators exclusive interview, we delve into his approach to navigating market fluctuations, adopting new technologies, and Colliers’ commitment to sustainable growth and development. Arnab shares his insights on the industry’s biggest challenges and opportunities, offering a glimpse into the future of real estate and his role in creating lasting value for clients, communities.
Arnab Ghosh’s professional journey began in 1995 with a multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy, where he designed thermal power plants, educational institutions, industrial compounds, and high-end residences worldwide. Seeking broader horizons, he joined a prominent international development management firm, entrusted by a global fund house to manage its real estate investments in India. This pivotal five-year role enriched his design and execution approach, fostering a holistic understanding of project delivery.
In 2003, Ghosh relocated to Bangalore to join Synergy, an Indian project management firm with a clear vision and strong foundations. Within ten years, Synergy expanded into one of India’s leading project management firms, delivering across diverse asset classes. In 2019, this journey evolved further as Synergy became part of Colliers India, a global powerhouse in real estate services.
Reflecting on over two decades of delivering projects for clients with unique needs, Ghosh notes the journey has been both thrilling and deeply rewarding. His work in building substantial, impactful environments for esteemed clients has left a lasting imprint, with each project reinforcing his passion and drive for innovation in design and project management. And, as he puts it, “the story continues.”
Mr. Ghosh has refined a set of core philosophies throughout his professional journey. According to him, in the dynamic world of project management, a steady hand and a clear vision are essential. Reflecting on these, he shared, “We are in the business of delivering projects on time and within cost. The principles that guide us in reaching this goal remain constant.”
Here’s a closer look at the pillars he upholds to drive success:
Clear Objectives: Setting well-defined goals and objectives at the outset to ensure a focused direction for the team.
Stakeholder Engagement: Prioritizing regular communication with stakeholders, making certain their needs and expectations are consistently met.
Effective Communication: Maintaining transparency and open channels of communication across all levels to foster collaboration and trust.
Risk Management: Proactively identifying and mitigating risks early in the project lifecycle to prevent setbacks.
Continuous Improvement: Seeking opportunities to enhance processes and outcomes, ensuring each project benefits from lessons learned.
These guiding principles exemplify Mr. Ghosh’s commitment to excellence, serving as a roadmap for any project aiming to meet objectives efficiently and effectively.
Arnab Ghosh shares insights into the strategic implementations that have driven operational efficiency and elevated client outcomes. According to Ghosh, innovation in the field is deeply intertwined with the shifting dynamics of modern work. As hybrid work becomes the norm, corporate real estate professionals must now monitor workspaces meticulously for occupancy and efficiency, adapting to meet evolving demands.
Arnab Ghosh concluded, to achieve this, we utilize a range of sensors that track temperature, humidity, air quality, daylight, and occupancy across various zones and floors. The data collected is then processed using proprietary software and shared in real time, offering clients a comprehensive view of their workspace environment. One of Colliers’ notable advancements is CoGence, an AI-powered remote monitoring tool now deployed at key sites. CoGence enables clients to oversee their sites remotely and allows real-time mapping of physical spaces against virtual BIM models, enhancing accuracy in execution.
He continues, the Real Estate Management Services (REMS) team at Colliers leads the charge in selecting innovative technology to ensure office spaces remain safe, secure, and highly efficient. Meanwhile, the Design team is actively engaged in workplace studies, change management, and creating new-age office layouts.
Ghosh emphasizes that keeping a close eye on how office work is evolving is crucial, as it informs the strategies needed to keep spaces future-ready. Central to this approach is engaging with a workplace’s diverse demographics to understand the fundamental purpose and function of the office, allowing designs that are both functional and visually appealing.
“We believe in designing spaces that work as well as they look,” Ghosh states, underlining Colliers’ commitment to marrying functionality with aesthetics in an era of transformative work culture.
Arnab Ghosh shares invaluable insights, urging his peers to adapt to the evolving landscape of workplace design. “Time and change are a marriage made in heaven,” he reflects. According to Ghosh, the traditional office is moving toward an era of transformation—one that is informal, fluid, sustainable, intelligent, and seamlessly integrated with modern needs. The pandemic served as a catalyst, sparking a shift in perspective and pushing us to reimagine office spaces in ways previously unexplored. Today, it has ignited a full-scale revolution in workplace design.
While the connection between office design and employee engagement has always been understood, the importance of this relationship has grown significantly over the last year. Stakeholders, from occupiers and investors to developers, are beginning to recognize how powerful design can be in fostering well-being, productivity, and efficiency. The emphasis on sustainability is no longer just a goal but a shared mission, one requiring collective effort to build workspaces that are both responsible and inspiring.
Arnab Ghosh opened up about the challenges he faces in project design and execution. He concluded, “Balancing priorities on a limited floor plate is no easy feat. Often, the requirements far exceed the available space. The key is to maximize what can fit without compromising on essential factors like wellness, circulation, and functionality”.
For Ghosh, the foundation of any efficient workplace lies in a well-thought-out layout. The creativity to add the desired aesthetic is within our control and can significantly enhance the workspace ambiance. But if the layout or space planning is flawed, we’re left with a dysfunctional office and unhappy employees. It’s essential to ensure the flow of space aligns with the design intent.
He also emphasized that not all clients are equally attuned to the subtleties of workplace needs. As designers, it’s crucial to guide clients toward the right choices. “The best approach to convincing clients is to present the benefits of the proposed design in real, measurable terms. To do that effectively, we need to understand their business model and why the office is being created in the first place.”
Ghosh’s insights underscore the importance of balancing aesthetic vision with practical functionality and client needs, all while creating a space that fosters productivity and well-being.
To be continued>>>