Article Category: Design

A minimal yet functional aesthetic best describes the 6,200 sq ft Bank Novo office. Crafted by creatives Ishita and Mehul Narola of IMA Architects, the contemporary decor and deliberately restrained use of colours—using only those that align with the company’s branding—paves the way for a chic yet wholesome work environment.

Owing to its location on the 23rd floor, the office offers a breathtaking view of Ahmedabad city. And informal seating areas as well as passages draw attention to the picturesque panorama. Even the interactive workspaces are positioned such that one can catch a glimpse of the outside.

The office opens onto a formal reception area, which gives way to a waiting zone. This is divided into two—one offers vistas through glass windows, while the other features comfortable and elegant furniture in the foreground of a wall with brightly coloured graphics. 

Monochromatic passages, with grey tints on a lively, chevron-patterned flooring, lead to the focal point of the office—the central workzone. This is where ‘the real work happens’. What catches our eye is the various flexible workstations seen here—ranging from regular desks to standing work tables. Nearby are demarcated spaces for conferences as well as informal discussions.

“Conference rooms offer a variety of configurations—we’ve used removable partitions, flexible table settings, white back-painted glass boards, formal furniture and artefacts. We’ve also ensured that the passageways are categorised as per their location. Some act as connectors, others as buffer zones, and more elaborately decked ones go over and beyond their function,” say the creative duo.

Natural light streams in and highlights the office’s monochromatic shades and ergonomic yet aesthetic furniture. We love how the addition of numerous paintings and monochrome designs adds to the allure of this workplace.

“Whether people are fully conscious of this or not, they actually derive countenance and sustenance from the ‘atmosphere’ of the things they live in or with. They are rooted in them just as a plant is in the soil in which it is planted.” said Frank Lloyd Wright speaking about the pieces of furniture in his winter home. The renowned American Architect propagated the idea of looking at buildings as a complete work of art, where every element, from the exterior shell to the interiors, is connected. He laid stress on the need for every individual to assemble their home with designs that are synchronous with their lifestyle, the culture of the time, and what accentuates the home itself.

Almost 7 decades later,  this method of dedicated curation has become increasingly relevant; albeit challenging in a design demographic largely characterized by digital consumption. It is at this juncture that IDUS crafts a design-centric approach. Their brand philosophy is a confluence of bold creativity, manufacturing quality, and an attempt to integrate design styles from all over the world. The Fallon bookshelf, for example, is a perfect blend of Italian design sensibilities and reinterpretation of English materiality. This design is largely characterized by the visual lightness of the shelves and its gentle curves that lend the unit a sculptural presence. With a core focus on contemporary living, IDUS curates furniture pieces that compliment any space rather than dictate its vibe. 

Spark armchair is yet another ode to Italian craftsmanship. The dramatic wooden back, curved and lacquered with rose gold detail, finds harmony in contrast with the more conventional armchair seat, upholstered with leather or choice of fabric. A chair is representative of order and discipline – an armchair, on the other hand, suggests relaxation at the end of a long day of work. This design could be the focal element in a foyer or a cosy corner in a living room, subtly granting this space a cross-cultural aesthetic. 

The old school retro sofa is a quintessential furniture piece in this day and age, offering flexibility and ease of use. Combining necessity with a unique design, this old school sofa bed is apt for studio apartments and tight rooms where transformable furniture is of high importance. The sofa brings together the ‘Pelle frau’ leatherette upholstery with a delicately-designed Victorian leg made of solid wood. It is this versatility in curation, combined with their desire to craft unique stories that set IDUS apart. 

Designing for human experience forms the central philosophy of the brand. IDUS has managed to craft unique personalities and narratives for each of their 2000+ products housed at their store in Kirtinagar, New Delhi. Their diverse catalogue of styles and finishes aim to put the user and their preferences above fleeting trends; consequently crafting contemporary designs using an artisanal approach. This vision is well translated on their online platforms too, thus ensuring the brand can connect with its patrons efficiently in a post-pandemic world as well. 

Website: https://www.idus.in/

“Breathtaking” is a double edged sword in Leh. There are tomes written about the majesty, grandeur and the raw beauty of Ladakh, and for those who have travelled, and had a bout of altitude sickness, it’s quite something else.

The mountains, and the shadows cast by clouds in different seasons create a mesmerising kaleidoscope of colour and texture. And yet, for those who live there, the weather and the altitude are a formidable companion to live with. And if that was not enough, it is a highly unstable, seismically active geology!

How does one, then, create a built environment, that is “suitable”? A simple word holds the answer: Research.

I’ve been fortunate because a few of us from the team have visited Ladakh before. Plus, during my graduation from Delhi’s School of Planning and Architecture, I had the opportunity of being a part of a research team that studied the monastery of Spithuk.

Armed with faint memories of the time, a lots of bookish knowledge and faith in the ability of our team to simulate the building performance, we embarked on the journey of the design for the Leh Campus of the University of Kashmir.

Apart from the regular aspects of space planning and structure as well as budgets, we were also dealing with a new relationship with the university. It’s no secret that this is a crucial relationship as the client plays a pivotal role in the design outcome.

Thankfully, for us, while the university team expressed concerns and enumerated limitations, the administration and engineering teams were incredibly supportive and open to new ideas. The challenge, really, then was not only to deal with nature, and the elements but also work within extremely tight administrative norms and procedures.

For instance, the build had to be carried out using registered, speciality contractors for various trades, under the state’s Public Works Department. The local council was very keen to understand the design and especially the language of the architecture. There were also certain motifs and prints that had to be mandatorily used in the structure.

Within the constraints of the traditional procurement and tendering process, and the sensibilities of the local populace, we also wanted to establish our own principles and philosophies, of place making, energy efficiency, passive design and functionality.

We had to contend with an RCC formed building—our efforts, at the time, to use pre-fabricated steel, failed. However, we insisted, and prevailed in a few things that set the tone for the performance of this campus. This paved the way for the university’s other buildings to be eventually built.

The buildings are completely insulated, by using a cavity wall system and polystyrene infill panels. The windows are made using high performance UPVC with steel inserts, and all functional spaces are double glazed. They are designed for universal access, with gently sloping ramps connecting both floors of the teaching departments. All the waster water is treated on-site, and high performance LED fixtures illuminate the structures.

Indeed, the campus is designed along the contours of the gently sloping valley. Each building sits on its own “pedestal”. Not only is it an architectural “place” for good weather but it also allowed us to have no buildings sited on filled soil. It allowed for a natural course to be created for cloudbursts, without harming any buildings. In fact, our careful siting, allowed for the entire campus to be built, without any retaining walls.

Classrooms, labs and offices are located around a simple, linear atrium space, which is protected from wind and filled with light. All functional spaces were aligned such that they received sunlight from the south and west.

The entire fenestration system, is designed to have a mix of double glazed, thermally performing glass, and a set of “trombe walls” in each space. These surfaces trap solar heat by allowing a small air gap between the external glass, and an internal thermal mass—in this case, a concrete block wall painted black. We used this thermal current to move warm air into the living space, and suction out cold air from near the floor into the Trombe wall space; thus setting up a natural, convective heating process.

While it hasn’t been possible for us to carry out a scientific monitoring of the spaces, students sitting in their shirts with sleeves folded up in the rooms, while outside temperature was recorded at 7-degrees Celsius, is a warm vindication of the design.

The cycloped walls also act as thermal mass for the gaining daytime heat as well as a tribute to the traditional forms of monasteries dotting the landscape.

The campus is currently comprises two buildings. The first houses teaching facilities, faculty rooms and lecture halls as well as a small residential block for resident teachers and staff. The second accommodates the administrative wing with offices, a conference facility and archives.

The buildings are sites for maximum heat gain, framing views of the valley and creating “courtyard” spaces by acting as wind breakers for each other. As the campus grows, we hope, it will continue to provide educational infrastructure for the local population, and we will be able to continue improving the design, technology and performance of the buildings.

Architect Mohd. Amin Nayyar is the founder of ANA Design Studio

The newest addition to One Central—Dubai’s pioneering business district—is a novel workspace for Japanese pharmaceutical company Takeda. The office, crafted by Pallavi Dean’s interior design studio Roar, was conceived with a design sensibility matching that of the brand’s headquarters in Tokyo. 

Sprawled across 23,000 sq ft, the contemporary decor of this workplace stems from a serene blend of Japanese aesthetics and local references. The practice took inspiration from the brand’s rich native heritage while aiming for a distinct global identity—both enhanced by, and with context to its location.

“When the worlds of art and science intersect, we get great design, and this office is a clear example of such an encounter. The space is designed around three themes: Japanese values, Emirati culture and data-driven design. The result is an intuitive yet reasoned project,” divulges Dean, founder and creative director of Roar.

A vibrant red hue—in keeping with the company’s primary colour—along with motif renditions of their logo make recurring appearances throughout the interiors. Also seen are various Arab, especially Emirati design elements, including a series of artworks by Dubai based creative Khalid Shafar. His pieces employ khoos, a local palm weaving technique that’s traditionally applied to build house roofs and floor mats.

It is interesting to see how Roar has achieved a seamless confluence of diverse cultures through similar crafts and concepts. “For example, while the Japanese use rice straw to weave traditional tatami mats, the Emiratis use palm tree leaves. We like this underlying, subtle synergy in between,” explains Dean.

In order to maximise the utilisation of the floor plate, the practice collaborated with Herman Miller’s workspace specialists for Space Allocation Modelling (aka Sam Analysis). As a result, 35 percent of the office is conceptualised as ‘hive’ zones for individual work, 29 percent is for meeting spaces, and breakout zones for informal social interactions comprise another 13 percent.

Apart from its global fusion style and understated yet intricate aesthetic, the construction also impresses with its sustainable built. The project is LEED silver certified, uses energy efficiently and has a layout that facilitates ample ventilation, thereby controlling pollutants and other contaminants.

Borrowed from ancestral Japanese design philosophies, the architectural language is restrained and employs shoji screen geometry. Materials such as wood, raw concrete and paper textures offer organic overtones to the office and are also instrumental in illustrating Takeda’s core values—integrity, fairness, honesty and perseverance.

Scroll below to see more images of Takeda’s Dubai office by Roar…

Architect Robin Chhabra—the co-founder and CEO of Dextrus—along with fellow architect Nishil Shah, has brought to life an unconventional design for a coworking space that promotes creativity and productivity in workspaces. The aim for this 15,000 sq ft office is to create an environment that maximises the potential of every creative personality type. 

The coworking workspace comprises a multifunctional layout, encompassing private offices, flexible desks, event spaces, meeting rooms, libraries, phone booths and lounges.

To achieve modernity and elegance, a combination of gold-tinted glass partitions and white walls are seen across the office, with occasional pops of pink, green and dark grey. Meanwhile, to ensure simplicity and bring in depth, patterned wood panels and lime plaster ceilings are added. 

The seating options vary from high, medium and low, ensuring that each individual preference is considered. Breaking away from the whitewashed walls are the dusty pink limewashed ceiling and embroidered cushions for the seaters.

From the very entrance, where a welcoming light installation spans the length of the corridor, it’s obvious that lighting plays a pivotal role for Dextrus. Pockets of open spaces are adorned with ceramic lamps, while glass moulded lanterns are seen in the cafeteria. The passage features blown glass lamps and cane woven lanterns, and ceramic table lamps add warmth in the library. 

We love that the architects have curated artworks such that they bring in an element of local heritage—through the collaboration of multiple artisans and mixed materials, we see everything from traditional miniature paintings, pastel wooden dolls from Visakhapatnam and sketches of the Patola weave and block printing.

With a brief to make a Vastu compliant office, Surbhi Bansal of Project 1505 weaves ancient Vedic principles seamlessly into this 1,125 sq ft modern workspace. The interiors are designed to optimally utilise space, while still maintaining an aesthetic character. 

Set in the southwest corner of a modern office building in Bhilwara, Rajasthan, the office for Mehul Tours and Travels receives ample natural light coming in from the rear. A distinctive Vastu requirement was to have the L-shaped office divided into two clean rectangles.

This is tackled by creating two zones: The ‘arrival’ and the ‘terminal’. While the former includes the reception and an enquiry room, the latter houses cabins for the agency’s directors, an executive lounge, a multi-use work area, a conference room and all utilities.

A quirky backdrop is made using white-washed door panels to represent different parts of the world. It is set against a sophisticated red oak reception desk. At night, the pristine white on the walls, which is so luminous, reflects its own light.

Fancied as an aerobridge, an archway connects the ‘arrival’ and ‘terminal’ zones, and opens out into a series of cabins. These rooms strategically conceal three structural columns while seamlessly integrating filing and utility cabinets, seating booths and a printing station. 

The workstations are in direct view of the directors’ office for effective visual communication. A white figure-ground map on the glass of the conference room provides privacy yet transparency and adds a fun, abstract element.

Quirky elements such as a bespoke currency map in one of the director’s cabins, travel articles glued on the ceiling, and the window safety grills with cutouts of the world’s most iconic structures—all create shadows and projections on muted blinds.

Bansal created this office space that provides a spatial experience for the clients, allowing them to perceive the design in their own ways alluding to memories of their past travels and urging them to make new ones.

Scroll below for more images of this travel agency!

Taking cues from its Kinderspel exhibition in 1965 that was devoted to the design of children’s toys and furniture, the Stedelijk Museum of Amsterdam recently presented a collection of 300 design objects this summer. The products are representative of 125 years of design history and innovation in this sphere.

Among these exhibits is Lagori Post Computer, inspired by the quintessential Indian game after which it’s named. Satyendra Pakhalé, who established his namesake practice SPA (short for Satyendra Pakhalé Associates) in Amsterdam in 1998, integrates his Indian roots with his international background in the making of this exhibit.

Lagori, a popular Indian pastime, includes targeting a pile of seven stones, stacked one atop the other. Its portable design complete with a handle makes it convenient to carry and play anywhere.

“This timeless game was made to nudge children outdoors and compel them to use all their senses and cultivate team spirit, rather than staying indoors and looking at a screen all the time,” says Pakhalé. It is played on a circular surface spanning four to six metres in diameter. The players are divided into Teams A and B, and each team member gets a chance to pitch the ball towards the stack with the aim of knocking it down. Team A is given three chances and if they miss each time, Team B comes to the strike. 

This activity follows a rotational progression, wherein Team A’s aim should be to rearrange the stack of Lagoris. However, if a member of Team A is hit by the ball pitched by a Team B striker, then he or she is considered out of the game. Finally, it ends when Team A stacks all the blocks and they all score a point by shouting out the word “lagori”. 

For designer Satyendra Pakhalé, who has trained in India and Switzerland, this isn’t his first exhibit. Many of his works are featured in museums across the globe, including the V&A London, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts as well as Centre Pompidou in Paris.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“What makes a home special is the physical embodiment of the people who inhabit it,” says Latika Khosla, founder of Freedom Tree. And truly staying on-trend and providing potential solutions, the brand aims to build an urban oasis—one that differentiates between work and private zones and eases the transition between the two, such that one can be productive as well as unwind in their own homes.

It begins at the foyer that should be a fine balance of statement and minimal. Choose the Mehrab Mirrors, which are offered in varied shapes and sizes, to add a delicate touch to the space. Under it, the console can hold not just a vase and your keys but also a sanitiser.

The living room can often be converted into the work zone during the day, while a cosy reading corner is an ideal nook for some R&R. A comfortable couch with smart durable fabric is an ideal canvas to play around with patterns or even, mix and match printed cushions with solid upholstery for a playful look and feel.

Whether it is adding extra storage space in your living room, or just establishing style, a smart side table is an ideal choice. Use The Strut Around Coffee Table as storage space for chargers, devices, a cup of coffee or even a book. Though it does more than that—it also elevates the decor and serves as a conversation starter.

One of the most underrated additions is to bring in elements of nature in the form of ferms or palms. A splash of green can uplift mood and create a happy urban oasis, and its natural shade can also be matched easily with the colour scheme of rooms.

Most importantly, if the bedroom isn’t the cosiest part of the home, then that needs to be fixed immediately. Choose sleep-friendly fabrics such as snug dohars to soft linens, a bedside lamp for avid readers, and complete the look with a rug that matches the throwdown accent cushions.

In fact, even the new Elae dining collection would be an ideal addition here. It features a breakfast set complete with teacups and pasta plates that are hand painted in patterns and hues, inspired by monumental architecture and the lifecycle of a seed. It’s time to turn your home into a truly serene cove, starting from breakfast in bed!

Considering the unprecedented and safety focused times we’re living in, hygiene is of the utmost importance. So, we’ve collated a list of products—from floorings to fittings, masks and even room dividers to keep you safe and well! Read on… 

Reboot Spaces by Flipspaces
Kunal Sharma and Ankur Mucchal’s Flipspaces has dedicated a whole range of products and fittings to make commercial spaces safe and hygienic. Keeping in mind important aspects such as social distancing, hygiene, sanitisation and touchless automation, the company facilitates healthy work environments through the installations of automatic sanitiser booths, pod seating in workspaces that ensure the mandated six-feet distance between employees, while also making these products look chic and covetable! Instagram: @flipspaces

Earth masks by Nappa Dori

Featuring a contemporary design and Indian elements, these masks by Nappa Dori are made using upcycled fabric and washable materials, making them not just reusable but also ideal for daily use. Plus, they are equipped with a double layer of protection and an extra band of webbing for a comfortable grip and are available in shades reminiscent of the earth and sky. Website: www.nappadori.com

Masks by Payal Singhal
Well known for her signature prints, designer Payal Singhal devised these reusable, washable and three-layered masks that are made of 75 percent cotton and 25 percent silk. The centre is made of cotton,  which allows easy breathability and better protection. With aesthetic prints and a pouch to match, these masks are available in various stores across the country and online. Website: www.payalsinghal.com

The Renga Screen by Project 810

A handcrafted screen that exemplifies the idea of social distancing, the Renga screen by Vritima Wadhwa’s brand is a manifestation of all earthly elements that work in harmony to create a striking silhouette. This solid wood structure functions as a room divider making it easy to customise a space that still maintains social distancing. Instagram: @project810

Spatium6 by Welspun Flooring
Considering that some day in the future, we’re bound to begin working from offices again, the brand’s Spatium6 is one of the best timed launches. It promotes safety in the workplace by demarcating areas using specific cues and visual floor markers. The idea is to practice social distancing aesthetically and without having to be constantly reminded of it. The flooring option ensures that workstations, meeting rooms, conference rooms and even cafes are optimally reconfigured without hampering the daily running of the business. Website: www.welspunflooring.com

Auto clean basins by VitrA

An auto-clean function that is fast, easy and hygienic is the perfect solution for frequent sanitisation needs. This basin offers a water outlet that prevents build-up of dirt and ensures premium hygiene. The main feature allows the sink to dispense cleaning agents from a concealed detergent tank, which is released with the water, ensuring maximum hygiene while soothing with its refreshing scent. Also seen above is the Aquasee faucet by the company. Website: www.vitra-india.com

Room dividers by Matteo Cibic Studio

Typical of designer Matteo Cibic’s style are these playful screens that are an excellent tool for social distancing in various spaces such as salons, restaurants and offices. These pieces (above and below) by Matteo Cibic Studio feature a transparent wall inserted between two people to act as a face shield while also ensuring that mandated distance is maintained. These shields come in various sizes and shapes and can be fitted into any number of spaces. Website: www.matteocibicstudio.com