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Interior

2023

Photographer : Kuber Shah

This project focuses on the sensorial qualities in a space. A gradual building of elements, objects and functional sculptures of various scales; parts, eventually coming together to create the “whole”.

At Design Ni Dukaan, there is a constant attempt to rethink an already perceived notion that permeates everything that design can address. This is applied to all the scales and typologies that the studio works with. In the first meeting with the client, it was clearly stated that the studio usually doesn’t take up office projects for the sole reason that it focuses on materiality and details. Office projects are usually looked upon as quick solutions with aluminium sections, commercially bought-out modular furniture, exposed piping and so on.

It was a situation where, beyond the functions, the brief was dictated to the client by the team of Design Ni Dukaan; “let us make an attempt to use our knowledge and details to reimagine office spaces. Can we use materiality as a process to find a solution to this project? Can we use this process to create a warm work culture? An atmosphere that induces more productivity? Can art inserts become a seamless part of the volume?”

In terms of the functions and flow of spaces, the requirements were a reception, waiting area, two executive cabins, a few meeting desks and some workstations along with a pantry and toilet.

It was a conscious decision to utilize the architectural structure as it was cast and to build around it. It also saved finishing and false ceiling costs. Visually it was the first imperfection that was accepted. A warm and minimal material palette using teak, brown glass and a terracotta micro concrete was created, that would seep into various parts of the project and hold the volume together.

[{"value":"Gandhidham"},{"value":"Gujarat"},{"value":"India"}]

Architects	:	Design Ni Dukaan
Area	:	1328 sq. ft.
Year	:	2023
Website	:	https://www.instagram.com/design.ni.dukaan/

Reception area of Office Design by Design Ni Dukaan

The entrance was marked with a folding door with patterns inspired from various modernists, this intervention was essential to avoid using a commercial sliding shutter. It led to a vestibule marking the company name and a space to remove and store shoes.

As one enters the office, the second artwork in layers of glass becomes the visual stimuli. This mural was designed in 5 layers of 5mm brown glass. The experiment here was to limit the light passing through thicker sections to create a halo-like effect. The reception table was envisioned as a sculpture that becomes the focus as one looks at it from the waiting area.

The waiting area follows a sinuous curve wrapping around the first discussion area and also embracing the curved seating. As the core and a space that would be away from the two openings, they decided to give it a skylight. Ample lights flow into this space through the cutout in the slab.

In the process of designing the project, this was always envisioned as the central soul through which light and life would permeate other parts of the office.

Reception area of Office Design by Design Ni Dukaan

Waiting and discussion area of Office Design by Design Ni Dukaan

Workstations of Office Design by Design Ni Dukaan

Project head cabin of Office Design by Design Ni Dukaan

Executive Cabin 1 of Office Design by Design Ni Dukaan

The South flank of the office holds the first executive cabin connected to the accounts section along with the pantry and dining areas. As you move towards the North, there is reception, waiting areas and working desks.

All these desks were designed in-house in close conversations with the client after understanding the exact working order. Further, this flank holds the second executive cabin and the temple. The temple is the only part of the project that has a material change. The decision was taken to mark this with a marble and more elaborate handles to amplify its significance. The tables in the executive cabins are designed in layers of gray micro concrete, punctured strategically with hints of wood seeping in.

Executive Cabin 1 of Office Design by Design Ni Dukaan

Executive cabin 2 of Office Design by Design Ni Dukaan

A custom-made artwork by Rutva Joshi embraces the back walls of the two executive cabins. One of the most interesting exercises for this project was an ongoing dialogue in the studio. Pattern-making is a skill that they focus on, especially with interns. They were trying to understand Ar. Burle Marx’s work, and derive endless patterns.

These patterns were translated and printed on fabric and used in the major large solid partitions of the project with a sandwiched glass detail. One more seamless transition of art into the project. It is always fulfilling when the client gives the designer a free hand till the functions are realized. It is then that the client becomes your collaborator. The only thing that was insisted on was the client’s buyout were the chairs. Eventually, they ended up designing these too. Every element in this project from the lights, the loose furniture, the office chairs, handle details, the murals, art and even the logo of the company was designed by Design Ni Dukaan. And what a fulfilling feeling that is.