Design

Shruti Malani of Intrinsic Designs fashions an unconventional workspace for a couple with diverse professions

NOV 21, 2020 | By Sanjukta Ghosh
A display niche with rounded edges and soft lines is enfolded at an angle, adjacent to the changing area; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

Designing an office space for a couple with different professions—one’s a fashion designer while the other, a chartered accountant—might seem like a difficult task for some but Shruti Malani of Intrinsic Designs has proved otherwise.

She’s effortlessly and elegantly woven in the intricacies of both businesses to create Curves and Dashes. 

With a brief that focused on natural light within workspaces and an aesthetic that complemented their professions while maintaining uniformity, the creative fashioned the 450 sq ft with an unconventional design approach.

A minimalist, two-legged birch ply work desk emerges from the storage unit and is revered for its unhidden geometries, natural polish and exposed material layers; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

Shared as a fashion designer’s boutique and chartered accountant’s office, Malani created a linear division between the two distinct workspaces to let ample daylight in. The project gets its moniker for the curves in the use of timber and the dashes in the flooring tiles. 

The fabricated elliptical shapes and gently curved edges are fashioned to enhance the narrow space and create maximum possible utility; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

Further inside, the office unfolds into a series of separate spaces coalesced by a uniform design language of muted browns, arched doorways and cement tiled flooring in grey and white dashes that stretch seamlessly across the setting. 

The office unfolds into a series of two separate spaces, merged by an analogous design language of muted browns, arched doorways and a subtle yet peppy flooring pattern; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

Fabricated elliptical curves and gently rounded edges characterise the space, while creating maximum utility. A display niche with soft contours enfolds at an angle beside the trial room, where a cluster of ethnic wear is accommodated against a neutral backdrop.

Terracotta pieces, honouring traditional and sustainable craftsmanship, in the office; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

“Our idea was to keep the interiors so minimal that the focus remains only on the clothes. We believe that Indian ethnic wear is so full of details and colours, and the space should be mild enough to justify it,” shares Malani.

The pivotal intent for the fashion studio was for the apparel to be eminent against a neutral, clutter-less background; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

An ambitious use of mirrors acts as a backdrop and an essential fixture in the trial room, making the space seem expansive. A reflection of panelling is seen rising towards the exposed concrete finished ceiling while an array of these strips becomes a seamless wall surface as the eye glides around the curves and dashes.

Cement tiled flooring in grey and white dashes stretches seamlessly across the office as well as the studio space; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala