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    • Design

    Ravi Vazirani brings in his unique aesthetic and natural materials to Rohan Parikh’s minimal office in Mumbai

    MAY 12, 2021 | By Saloni Rege
    A Baro couch, Le Mill coffee table, Jaipur Rugs floor covering as well as a custom lucite swing and chairs by Kunal Merchant are seen in the lounge; ; Photographs by Pankaj Anand
    The director’s cabin features Parikh’s coffee table and Pierre Jeanneret chairs as well as customised RVDS pieces such as the stoneware vase and cocktail table from the Qit.a series; Photographs by Pankaj Anand

    Starting with a raw shell at an ongoing construction site allowed designer Ravi Vazirani and his namesake studio to configure a workplace layout that would adhere to all of Rohan Parikh’s requirements.

    A critical need was that of a fluid and inspiring space, so the principal designer conceptualised an open plan peppered with indigenous natural materials.

    Oak floors and exposed concrete walls in the director’s cabin act as an ideal backdrop for the Pierre Jeanneret chair, a coffee table from Rohan Parikh’s collection and customised pieces such as a stoneware vase and cocktail table from Ravi Vazirani Design Studio’s (RVDS) Qit.a series; Photographs by Pankaj Anand

    The resulting 3,500 sq ft office is layered with formal workstations, co-working zones, an interactive lounge and an ideation corner, such that it promotes communication without visual barriers but also provides privacy when needed.

    A bespoke console and hand-turned teak lamp are seen near a Casegoods rosewood desk; Photographs by Pankaj Anand

    “We were tempted to use primary colours initially since the office is made for an educational institute. Instead, eventually, we chose to play with the abundant daylight that streams in, laced with a combination of exposed concrete, wood and black slate-like tiles,” Vazirani adds.

    The exposed concrete wall is offset by a shelving unit, which holds an RVDS stoneware vase; Photographs by Pankaj Anand

    When asked which was the section he most enjoyed designing, the creative immediately mentions the director’s cabin. “It has expansive windows that spill light onto the wooden floors and concrete walls. The area also boasts a coalesce of custom made and iconic furniture pieces.”

    View of the capacious workstations with laminated cabinetry and furniture by Ajay Shah’s Rubberband; Photographs by Pankaj Anand

    Another interesting space is the monochromatic discussion chamber with a Rewati Shahani artwork on the wall and tables in back-painted graph glass for sketching and ideating.

    The common workspace uses Chickoo stone, IKEA chairs and a desk from Rubberband; Photographs by Pankaj Anand

    “Spaces we design usually lend an air of calmness and soulfulness, putting into practice the ‘less is more’ theory. I’d like to believe this office is an extension of that vibe,” Vazirani shares.