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    • Design

    Draped in cheery yellow tones, this upbeat Mumbai office by Quirk Studio is sure to leave you with good vibes only

    SEP 6, 2020 | By Disha Bhavsar & Shivani Ajmera
    The Expand Loft's industrial look is achieved by combining a neutral colour palette that's interspersed with pops of colors; Photographs by Pulkit Sehgal
    (L-R) The 2,400 sq ft office including a number of dramatic illuminators, first of which is seen at the reception desk; The focal point is this seating arrangement complete with popping seaters and a swing; Colour comes in the form of foliage-filled planters. Most cabins feature black-and-white artwork on the wall; Photographs by Pulkit Sehgal

    The Expand Loft is characterised as an open 2,400 sq ft office space in Mumbai, crafted for a corporate event management company. The design brief we received was to create a fun and vibrant environment that helped facilitate a natural flow of movement as well as encouraged interaction and collaboration among the employees.

    We opted for a 14 ft-high ceiling for the entire setting along with panoramic windows that would bring in abundant daylight and offer expansive views of the city. Taking inspiration from the company logo, hints of yellow were infused throughout the space to build on brand recall.

    Apart from these and a few other bright pops of red and green, we kept the underlying colour palette neutral, paving the way for an industrial aesthetic.

    Above the IPS-finished reception desk is a dramatic illuminator which doubles up as an installation to endow identity to the space; Photographs by Pulkit Sehgal

    At the entrance, an IPS finished reception desk basks underneath a magnificent decorative light. The stunning artefact brings grandeur and a sense of identity to the space. Inside, we fashioned a small seating area underneath a yellow arched niche. This arena acts as a focal point for the office and features a playful swing, to help augment the space with dynamic energy.

    A small seating area under a yellow arched niche is crafted as a focal point in the office; Photographs by Pulkit Sehgal

    Further enlivening the workspace are foliage-filled planters, occupying different corners of the setting. Their fresh hues are coupled with classy monotonal artworks mounted on many of the cabin walls to uplift the room’s sleek furniture.

    The sculptural lighting above the conference room makes quite a statement; Photographs by Pulkit Sehgal

    We chose a simple medley of materials, focusing on surfaces and finishes that were easy to maintain. The floor is covered in vitrified tiles with a cement finish. For illumination, we selected extremely artistic, metallic and powder coated black lighting fixtures. In fact, even in the conference room, a sculptural illuminator is fitted overhead.

    Set on yellow patterned tiles, the community table serves as a spot for brainstorming as well as the cafeteria. The lightbox on the wall with the words ‘Feed Your Dreams’ is a play on not just the utility of the space but also presents a positive affirmation; Photographs by Pulkit Sehgal

    The idea of a spacious, informal setting led to a layout with an open pantry seamlessly extending onto the cafeteria. The latter has a yellow painted ceiling and matching walls, keeping in mind the brand’s foremost choice of colour. It houses a long, community table surrounded by high chairs—an ideal platform for brainstorming sessions.

    Modern and minimal, The Expand Loft is an oasis for social interplay; Photographs by Pulkit Sehgal

    A set of stylish and chic pendant lights run across the ceiling that accentuate the overall ambience. The lightbox installed on the wall with the term ‘Feed Your Dreams’ is a play on what the space is utilised for, while it also brings to mind a positive affirmation of the quote. To offset the yellow and demarcate these two areas from the remaining workspace, patterned tiles are used for the floors.

    The office’s simple and basic material palette includes vitrified tiles with a cement finish; Photographs by Pulkit Sehgal

    We tried to ensure that the user-friendly and visually aesthetic spaces of this loft-like office cater to the evolving needs of its employees. The introduction of quirky, creative elements to the neutral decor offer a stark contrast to the office’s industrial look, while augmenting its classy appeal.

    Quirky design elements find pride of place in the neutral interior scheme; Photographs by Pulkit Sehgal

    A modern, minimal oasis for social interplay, The Expand Loft aims to boost creativity by optimising the use of an energetic pop of colour, in adequate amounts, to exude a feeling of liveliness and wellbeing for the employees.