The buildings at Infosys are not only futuristic, but have also been a trail blazer for other private companies.

When Naresh Venkatraman, a senior architect, was contracted to build the Infosys Campus by the then chief executive officer N Narayan Murthy, his brief was simple. "The capital assets of my business go home to sleep. Come up with an idea and create an environment that will interest them and keep them comfortable at work", Venkatraman was told. The result was the first six buildings on the sprawling 81-acre campus in Electronic City.

Infosys has been synonymous with Bangalore for more than three decades now. The new building in Electronics City set a precedent as it led several other startups and private companies, operating in cramped offices and dingy buildings, to follow suit. It is hard to miss the Infosys Campus even while driving on Hosur Road or travelling on the Elevated Expressway. One of the buildings that catch the eye is an imposing structure of glass and steel, its smooth façade broken by a massive holelike structure. Another is a glistening glass pyramid which lends the Campus an air of grandeur.

Yet, the beginnings of the company could not have been more humble. Its founders first worked out of a one-room office in JP Nagar. They then shifted to a building in Koramangala and later moved to BTM Layout before settling down at Electronics City in 1994. Its 300 employees worked out of a grey and red building, but the company was growing and so was the demand for office space. That's when Venkatraman was brought in.

"All the founders of Infosys were from IIT and they had very strong memories of their alma mater," Venkatraman said. "Mr Murthy wanted me to build office buildings with a collegecampus feel to it because it produced an environment more comfortable to work in. He had asked me not to go beyond three floors, but instead to build a number of buildings. He felt that it would give the employees a sense of being at home. Infosys was the pioneer. It created an entire campus for a private company, Such a thing was unheard of until then."

Eco-friendly was the Infosys Campus mantra even before the word became popular. The company has more than 300 bicycles on the campus. Originally, there were no central air-conditioning systems for the first six buildings. Instead architects used the Venturi effect or central stack - a portico in the centre of the building which opens all the way up to the roof - to keep the interiors cool. "Now of course, ACs have been installed in these buildings too," says Venkatraman.

More than 6,000 trees and plants provide an enviable cover of green amidst the buildings, while the campus is perhaps the only technological company which has its own putting green. Golf clubs are available with the housekeeping staff.

Today, more than 30,000 employees work out of 50 buildings in the campus. In about a year's time, the company will shift its operational base to Pune. It will also expand its workforce. Yet, there is no getting around the fact that the story began here, in Bangalore.

You Must Know !
* The Infosys Campus does not have a building numbered 13, because Narayan Murthy believes it is unlucky.
* It had the first food court in the country. Instead of a canteen, employees could pick from a multi-cuisine menu .
* The Mysore and Bangalore Campus buildings were constructed in such a way that they spelt Infosys from the air. The Mysore campus still does that
* Most visiting heads of state have a visit to Infosys on their schedule. The company has a unique way of commemorating their visits. The top management gets the visiting dignitary to plant a tree. Bills Gates, Michael Dell and the prime ministers of India and Japan are among those who have planted a sapling. About 300 saplings have been planted thus far. Each bears a placard identifying the dignitary who planted it, the name of the tree and the date on which it was planted.

Visit: www.infosys.com

Source: BangaloreMirror

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