Mudra Group's new home - Mudra House attains LEED certification

Mudra Group is now based in the brand new Mudra House, an 8-story building with its exterior in an attractive mix of glass with red brick tiles cladding. As Mudra turned 30 earlier this year, the Group promised it was entering an era of change. In its 30th year, the Group has already implemented a number of changes, an important one being the brand identity change in September 2010, and today comes the official opening of Mudra House.

"We wanted to ensure that the building is a place where people would want to come every day in the morning and would like to spend their time here, would like to be associated with. We want them to be proud about it," said Ajit Menon, Executive Director ' Organisation Development.

Mudra House, an 8-story building is home to over 450 Mudraites across Mumbai, under one roof. This further enhances the Mudra philosophy of creative collaboration across units.

Mudra House is situated opposite the Grand Hyatt in Mumbai . The building has 2 levels of basement valet parking with a capacity of 120 cars. These parking areas have also been provided with electrical points to provide for recharging battery operated cars in the future.

Though a modern building, the interiors of Mudra House follow a contemporary-traditional route. As soon as one enters the lobby, one is greeted with a detailed depiction of life today in traditional "Warli'. This style of art appears through each of the floors in different forms. The Warli art on each floor/room expresses the ambience in that particular space. In the work space, the simple triangle-and-dots figures vividly capture daily activities at the work-stations. The meeting and conference rooms on each floor are named after popular community places, across the country for e.g. Jantar Mantar, College Street, Chor Bazaar, Ganga Ghaat, Howrah Bridge and Dhobi Ghaat, the Warli form incorporated here, depicts the ambience in the respective rooms. Warli style of art is also seen in the upholstery, signages and floor coverings on every floor. The art infuses the spirit of community through-out the building.

The 8th floor or the floor of the Executive Board Members, is worth mentioning with its warm touch of the Warli art. The interiors on this floor are very sophisticated with an ethic-chic style and each member's room has an extravagant top view of Mumbai. The conference room here can accommodate 25 people and an automatic foldable door opens up into the next room to create more space.

Mudra House has state-of-the-art technology that includes 1 gigabit IP Telephony, full blown Unified Communications (UC), Video Conferencing (VC), Audio Visual (AV) equipments, access control system, CCTV and Intelligent Building Management System (IBMS), where the control system is a computerized, intelligent network of electronics, designed to monitor and control the mechanical and lighting systems of the building. Apart from this, the Mudra Group has implemented various energy conservation features.

Mudra focused on developing a sustainable building and aspired to a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. LEED is an initiative conceptualized and promoted by United States Green Building Council that provides a suite of standards for environmentally sustainable construction. In India, this initiative has been taken by CII ' Godrej and has promoted the Indian Green Building Council ' IGBC. LEED certified buildings are designed to use resources more efficiently when compared to conventional buildings. In India, currently, there are only 134 certified buildings, out of which 17 are in Mumbai. Mudra House will be one among the 8 buildings to get a LEED GOLD certification.

To add "play' to this workspace, Mudraites will have TT and Pool tables on alternate floors. A fully-functional Gymnasium will be situated in the ground floor, with top-end gym equipment and trainers for the health conscious. The cafeteria, on the 6th floor, aptly named "Mela', serves nutritious buffets. This floor also has the Library room, a plush and relaxed centre for quite reading away from desks. The terrace atop Mudra House is designed with plush landscaping along with bar facilities for in-house get-togethers.

Commenting on the inauguration, Madhukar Kamath, Group CEO & Managing Director, Mudra Group said, "It is a proud milestone for us. Mudra House is not just our HQ, it is a home for over 450 Mudraites in Mumbai, an exciting work-place bustling with warmth, creative energy and innovative ideas. A perfect launching platform for the next Decade of growth through Inventive Brand Solutions for our clients."

He also added, "We have done everything in a manner that will ensure ROI pretty quick. We have used Warli as a creative form."