PROJECT INFO

Location: Bangalore, India
Completion Date: 2025 (expected)
Project Type: Corporate Workplace, Laboratories, and Restaurant
Size: 68,000 sq ft / ~6,300 sq m
Labs Included: Vital Rigs Labs; L3 NI Rigs – IVI Component Regression; EBC Labs – Pressure Mapping Systems for Seat Surfaces, Autonomous Car Testing Platform, and Innovation; Alexia Acoustic Certifications Lab; L3 Rig Farm
Scope of Work: As part of JLR’s ongoing growth in Bangalore, Crux Design Studio was engaged to deliver the third phase of expansion, an ambitious 68,000 sq ft fit-out combining new workspace, highly specialised labs, and a large restaurant. Crux led the design through Stage 3 and participated in the tender process to ensure the appointment of a high-performing delivery partner capable of executing this and future phases with precision.


JLR – PHASE 3 EXPANDED WORKSPACE, LABS AND CAFETERIA

Following the rapid success of JLR’s first and second phases in Bangalore, the 5th floor was developed to accommodate an even larger workforce and increasing technical demands. The brief included open-plan desks, formal and informal meeting rooms, collaboration zones, storage, a boardroom, and a cafeteria designed to serve 250 employees across three sittings per meal.

Crux built on insights gained from earlier phases, introducing upgraded floor and wall finishes to minimise long-term maintenance and reduce operational costs. Continuous workplace analysis and feedback loops were embedded into the process, with the design team implementing “Day 2” improvements even before fit-out began. This approach made delivery smoother and enhanced the user experience from day one.

Design Concept

The guiding design principle for Phase 3 was evolution through experience. Every detail – from spatial zoning to material choice – was refined based on what had and hadn’t worked in earlier phases. Key to this phase was the integration of multiple advanced labs and a fully industrial cafeteria that could serve meals quickly and efficiently to a growing team.

The lab suite included a mix of functional spaces, each with unique equipment layouts, power loads, environmental requirements, and stakeholder expectations. Crux coordinated closely with internal JLR engineering teams to develop detailed room data sheets, ensuring all spatial and MEP requirements were fully integrated by Stage 3.

Crux partnered with an industrial kitchen consultant to design an efficient and high-throughput food service experience for the restaurant. The front of the house was designed to facilitate a flow rate of 11 seconds per person through the selection and payment area, minimising bottlenecks and reducing overall wait time during peak dining periods.

Challenges & Solutions

The complexity of this phase lay in coordinating a significantly larger team, spanning multiple disciplines and countries. Crux worked alongside technical drawing teams delivering Stage 4 documentation for architecture, MEP, and commercial kitchen packages, in parallel with a newly appointed delivery team. Each group had its sub-teams focused on site execution, services integration, and architectural detailing.

Thanks to Crux’s deep familiarity with JLR’s internal standards, ways of working, and stakeholder expectations, the team could act as a bridge between strategic design and detailed technical delivery, maintaining quality and alignment across all fronts. Active participation in the delivery team tender process also helped select the right partner, one capable of sustaining project momentum and scaling with JLR’s evolving needs.

Final Outcome

The 5th floor, completed in 2025, is expected to be a flagship space that reflects the cumulative success of Crux and JLR’s collaboration. The new labs and expanded workspace will enable cutting-edge development across autonomous technologies, acoustic certification, and component testing, while the restaurant will become a central hub for daily operations and employee wellbeing. This phase is a testament to the power of iterative design, client trust, and coordinated delivery.

Key Features

  • Comprehensive Workplace Expansion – Desk areas, meeting rooms, boardroom, and breakout zones.
  • Six Specialist Labs – Designed around bespoke technical, spatial, and environmental needs.
  • Industrial Cafeteria – Seating for 250 across three sittings with a 11-second-per-person service strategy.
  • Material & Maintenance Optimisation – Upgraded finishes reduced long-term operational costs.
  • Design Evolution – Day 2 insights integrated before fit-out to streamline delivery and user experience.
  • Partnered Delivery – Crux led the tender process to select a long-term delivery partner.
  • Complex Team Coordination – Successfully managed architectural, MEP, and kitchen design consultants.
  • Established Expertise – Crux’s deep knowledge of JLR’s standards ensured seamless delivery across all touchpoints.