Located in Surat,
an office-scape of 3000 square-feet floor plate for a Real Estate company, was
recently completed by the team of ADDA Architects. The project explores the
future of working culture designed to promote wellness and collaboration
through design dialogues in its simplest form.
Based on the brief
given by clients, the space is shared by three main cabin areas for three
brothers who believe in the thought of ‘co-preneur
workspace’ - a work-play space
for entrepreneurs to ‘grow’ together. The idea was to facilitate a routine, a
lifestyle inside an office space. Hence, the interior responds to the
contemporary outlook towards designing the space that is collaborative in
nature rather than the cubicle set-up. The challenge was to create versatile
spaces for different activities within a single floor plate and to reduce noise
reflections through situational acoustic design.
The space is split
mainly into two zones, separated by an interactive passage. Towards the west
are formal spaces like reception and waiting area, cabins and meeting rooms
that offer the surrounding city views. Whereas, the east side of the floor
accommodates an informal zone that alleviates the casual communications. It
includes a coffee bar, pantry, cycling theater, refreshment area separate for
both men and women as well as accounts and sales units. A large gym area sits
towards the end of the office- usually a space for shared wellness activities.
Overall, these zones are designed to cater to the comfortable working
environment that has a recreational feel to them. The design concept also
celebrates and reflects the uniqueness of its linear layout with a small cozy
kid space at the intersection of all the other spaces.
The floor plan
feels open due to integration of a minimal material palette. “We want a
workspace with materials that are simple yet aesthetically appealing”,
expresses the client. So the color scheme reflects neutral tones such as the
white walls make the space feel more open and airy while the concrete and wood
accents make the space feel grounded. Customized precast concrete panels are
used as prime material, while to evoke nostalgia the use of terrazzo printed
tiles for flooring is done, except for the formal areas. All the three main
cabins and meeting room have wooden floors creating a sense of warmth within.
Perforated ceiling sheets are used in the entire office for better insulation.
Although the ceiling height is low, the light fixtures were designed in a way
that they don’t hinder one’s eye-sight.
The combination of metal and finely finished teak wood furniture gives
an elegant look to the whole workspace.