A whole lot latte: Noorein Kapoor imagines a workspace in Mumbai defined by Wabi Sabi and shades of coffee

Imagine working out of your favourite coffee shop. Now imagine a workspace so thoughtfully created that it brings that latte mood to your work desk. This 1,570 sq ft workspace in Bandra envisioned by Noorein Kapoor channels a similar sentiment. Reigned in the posits of Wabi Sabi and awash in earthy tones, the rested palette of the space becomes a contrast to the chaos that this upscale neighbourhood engulfs us in. 

To create a workspace that is a blend of cohesive and functional, the principal designer’s eponymous firm Noorein Kapoor Designs demolished the existing walls, playing on the owner’s ardour for their work and translating an astute layout within the space.

Unconventional but functional

Subtle suave of brown marries with the distinct coolness of grey in a space that truly looks beyond constraint; creating an office space that doesn’t require disjunction to obtain comfort.

A stunning emerald green couch enchants the eye, as one walks into the office surrounded by wooden panels, amidst shades of beige and brown. The fabric encased glass walls soften the sunlight entering the office, creating a casual seating area that leads to the contrasting but compatible workstations of the team and the senior members.

As you move beyond the arching sliding door, the solid industrial desk framed within the main cabin (which is our personal favourite space) offers a view of the city through its curved facade window. 

The space behind the panel serves as a hiding spot for the client’s kids, never breaking away from their approach of juxtaposing functionality with fun. A flushed panel door disguises the bathroom within the walls. 

Hues of Latte

The hues of coffee dominate the palette, from shades of a dark espresso to a flat white. Soft greens that please the eye with their allure break the monotony throughout the space. The signature cloth encased glass panels can be found through out the space, from the conference room to the other cabins.

Moving into the pantry space, it stands as a refuge within an office that is already created to be one. The natural stone of the countertop contemplates the imperceptiveness of Wabi Sabi, the dichotomy of the speckled beauty against the solid wall. The dining table seeks inspiration from the Donald Judd table, transitioning from a monolith of wood to a hearty space for a meal when chairs are pulled out. 

The lime plastered walls only elucidate the larger theme of Wabi Sabi and so do the ochre and grey of the rugs offset against the shades of latte. The uninhibited and simple nature of the space is highlighted through and through, depicting the client’s desire to create a space that guilelessly welcomes every morning. 

The Zen Den 

Noorein Kapoor’s signature style is reflected in the words of Zaha Hadid- “There are 360 degrees, so why stick to one?”. She incorporates this in various elements of the project, from the arches to the playful desk spaces. Rarely does a designer manage to combine playfulness with an encompassing muted minimalism, but the designer does so spectacularly in this workplace she likes to call the Zen Den.

Now Read: Aparna Kaushik reimagines vintage and symmetry inside this Noida workspace