Earthitects self-designed Bengaluru office; Photography by Earthitects

Offices that clock out of convention

These 15 workspaces are strictly no suits, just design statements

BY

Not every office needs to look like it drinks black coffee and works late. Some may just want to feel like a midweek arrival of the weekend. These 15 workspaces do exactly that but with the strength of design; tossing out white walls and wearying floors in favour of warmth, wit and a whole lot of personality. Each one comes with a little twist — a moment of surprise that reminds you: this is not your average 9-to-5. Let ELLE DECOR India take you through 16 office interior design ideas for a work refresh!

Arched Office in Ahmedabad by Terra Firma Architects; Photography by MKG Studio

Arch-itecture by Terra Firma Architects

Aptly named Arched Office, this space by Terra Firma Architects has truly mastered the art of arches. Seen in brick, concrete and metal, as both, line and surface, arches define the visual and spatial language of this office interior design. An expandable open-plan workspace, central bay with amphitheater-like steps and hidden desks read sleek and clean, but embrace personalization to the fullest. 

The understated highlight? Exposed concrete surfaces that hold lights in one place and marble inlays in another. 

Arched Office in Ahmedabad by Terra Firma Architects; Photography by MKG Studio
Accur8’s office in Surat by Essteam Design Services LLP; Photography by Pratik Chandresa

Two in one by Essteam Design Services

Brutalism makes a comeback in this Surat office by Essteam Design Services. A simple concrete cuboid from the outside, the structure is designed to hold not one, but two companies. Sticking to its geometric foundation, modular furniture and column free workspaces foster flexibility and collaboration. 

But this rigidness softens in an exterior passage, lush with plants and shaded by a sculptural rood. Sunlight pours in from all sides, casting bold and striking shadows throughout the space.

Accur8’s office in Surat by Essteam Design Services LLP; Photography by Pratik Chandresa
Atelier |X| Architects’ self-designed Indore office; Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi

Curated calm by Atelier |X| Architects

Atelier |X| Architects’ new Indore WORKspace feels like it’s built to breathe. Instead of cubicles and corner offices, in this office interior design you’ll find an open-plan layout where built-in partitions and flexible furniture subtly define zones without enforcing hierarchy. Birch plywood runs through the space in honest, clean lines, accented with metal detailing, tall plants and sunny yellow benches that refuse to take themselves too seriously.

The showstopper? A 15-foot cantilevered conference table that looks like it’s defying gravity — because it actually is! 

Atelier |X| Architects’ self-designed Indore office; Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi
Terra-Creta in Pune by Red Brick Studio; Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi

Pocket-sized power by Red Brick Studio

They say all good things come in small packages, and that stays true for Terra-Creta — a 550 sq ft workspace that houses not one, but two separate start-ups. Despite its compact footage, the space effortlessly holds a communal lounge, directors cabins, a suspended concrete reception and individual desks. Bone white lime plaster joins hands with a rust orange — seen in accessories, but also the rib-vaulted ceiling — to create a space that reads young and contemporary. 

It is, however, the director’s cabin that steals the spotlight with its beige marble and open poured ivory veneer. Arches of varying sizes punctuate a wall behind a bespoke marble table, providing pedestals for personal knick-knacks and custom art. 

Terra-Creta in Pune by Red Brick Studio; Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi
DR&W's self-designed Mumbai headquarters; Photography by Saurabh Madan

Built memory by DR&W

Located on the top floor of an old office building in South Mumbai, DR&W’s Mumbai headquarters isn’t the kind of space that hides its past — it builds on it. Sloping roofs, a mezzanine level and the flooring are all thoughtfully retained from the original shell, giving the office a patina of time. Interventions are limited and intentional, with materials selected not just for their finish but rather for how gracefully they age. Warm wood tones and burnt orange walls cast a dim glow across the space.

But the glass vitrine, part archive, part altar, is what steals the spotlight. Filled with material samples, publications and artefacts from travels, it allows for inspiration to be remembered, not just found. 

DR&W's self-designed Mumbai headquarters; Photography by Saurabh Madan
Upstox's office in Mumbai by House of Ruya; Photography by Nayan Soni

Crafted comfort by House of Ruya

Upstox’s Mumbai extension reads more cafe than Wall Street. Designed by House of Ruya, this cosy, industrial-leaning space acts as a break to an otherwise data-driven world. Seating niches and phone booths allow for moments of privacy, while expansive communal areas ensure the space can scale up when needed. 

The standout star? The pantry. Home to a communal dining table with bricks for legs and custom wallpapers created with their in-house branding team, it allows for both, conversations and calculations.

Upstox's office in Mumbai by House of Ruya; Photography by Nayan Soni
Mitti Mahal’s self-designed Bengaluru office; Photography by Phosart Studio

Lessons in contrast by Mitti Mahal

Playing by the design handbook, Mitti Mahal’s office interior design utilises complementary colours — orange and blue — to bring balance to a deeply personal space. Glass partitions, windows and doors are all bordered in black, echoing the metal details on the chairs and contrasting vintage decor. 

Never underestimate the power of styling, for it adds the cherry on top of the space. From dried plants in one corner to a seat dressed in metal armor in another, the details don’t just decorate, they add personality to an office that could have otherwise played it safe. 

Mitti Mahal’s self-designed Bengaluru office; Photography by Phosart Studio
Merchant 13 in Worli by Studio Jane; Photography by Studio Evolve

Brown, brick, brass by Studio Jane Designs

Brown takes many forms in Merchant 13’s Mumbai office. Appearing as wood, cane, leather and even soil, this shapeshifter compliments brass accents and brings traditional charm to life. The architects, Studio Jane Designs, used smart spatial planning to optimise the space in a building with restrictive infrastructure. Large staff workspaces and personal cabins foster collaboration and circulation, while concealed washroom doors maintain a clean appearance. 

But it is the wall textures and hangings here that take the lead, with exposed grey brick, traditional weaving and grounded marble subtly accenting the space. 

Merchant 13 in Worli by Studio Jane; Photography by Studio Evolve
Anthea Pharma's office in Hyderabad by Studio Skapa Architects; Photography by Sateesh Kumar

The perfect host by Studio Skapa Architects

Conceptualised as an experience rather than an office, Anthea Pharma’s workspace was made to host — quicker, efficient discussions as well as longer, international meetings. Designed by Studio Skapa Architects, it adds a contemporary touch to Hyderabad’s rich sufi heritage. Here, functionality takes lead, highlighting the precision and professionalism of a Pharmaceutical company. 

But, what’s truly unique about this space is the way it cradles the comfort of home. Every corner pays homage to Hyderabad’s rich heritage, making employees feel safe and seen, not just motivated. 

Anthea Pharma's office in Hyderabad by Studio Skapa Architects; Photography by Sateesh Kumar
Earthitects self-designed Bengaluru office; Photography by Earthitects

Root to rise by Earthitects

Rooted (literally) in the ethos of reverse urbanisation, Earthitects’ Bengaluru office interior design utilises curved wooden beams, lush greenery and tree canopy-like ante-spaces. It blends biophilic design and innovation, swapping out boardroom stress for nature’s calm. Sunlight floods in through large windows, while sliding glass doors and mirrors create spaces that shift from open to private with ease.

And just when you think you’ve seen it all, look closer: bark, branches, and upcycled teak double as lighting, storage and sculptural accents, turning nature itself into the office’s most imaginative collaborator.

Earthitects self-designed Bengaluru office; Photography by Earthitects
JSW Vasind Works' office in Maharashtra by Edifice Consultants; Photography by Bharath Ramamrutham

Highway to calm by Edifice Consultants

This office interior design prioritizes function over form, consolidating outdated buildings into one thoughtfully crafted environment with better infrastructure, low-water fixtures and locally sourced materials. Designed by Edifice Consultants, this space follows JSW Vasind Works’ guiding principle, better every day, in an attempt to redefine what a corporate campus can be. 

Despite sitting on a highway, the campus feels surprisingly serene. Nature is integrated, not demolished in the name of development, creating space for landscape experiences like an arrival pavilion, pedestrian walk and central court.

JSW Vasind Works' office in Maharashtra by Edifice Consultants; Photography by Bharath Ramamrutham
Studio19’s Store + Office in Bengaluru by Gensler; Photography by Esha Daftari

A packaged deal by Gensler

Studio19 blurs the line between store and studio. Designed by Gensler and spread across 7,000 sq ft in Bengaluru, this hybrid space is part immersive showroom, part collaborative office. A split-path layout caters to two kinds of visitors: those who want to browse and those who want to get straight to the point. The result? A space that moves as fluidly as its users.

But the real anchor of the space is the design workshop at its core. More than just a display, it’s a working zone that constantly adapts — hosting team huddles, presentations, and even cricket match screenings. It proves that in a space where everything is designed to be looked at, it’s what gets used that leaves the strongest impression.

Studio19’s Store + Office in Bengaluru by Gensler; Photography by Esha Daftari
Cozy Workspace in Bengaluru by Aakriti Saraf Design; Photography by Jubin Johnson Biju and Ishita Sitwala

Warm minimalism by Aakriti Saraf Designs

This cosy Bengaluru workspace by Aakriti Saraf Designs proves that geometry can also be warm. Designed to feel more like a cocoon than an office, the space employs grey tones and warm wood, creating a subtle contrast of moods. At the entrance, a fashionable green couch and scenic blue art put a pause in the neutrals, allowing for the office to display its personality. 

Though, what makes it memorable, is the way minimalism is treated — not as a design aesthetic, but an experience. Hidden storage keeps surfaces clean, Chandigarh Chairs lend a timeless touch and hanging lights streamline workflow. 

Cozy Workspace in Bengaluru by Aakriti Saraf Design; Photography by Jubin Johnson Biju and Ishita Sitwala
Kulfi Collective’s office in Mumbai by The Comma Collective; Photography by Lokesh Dang

Work hard, play harder by The Comma Collective

Kulfi Collective’s new workspace throws the corporate rulebook straight outside its window. Set within Mumbai’s renowned Nehru Centre in Worli, this dynamic office is all about movement, maximising creativity and visual points of pause. From interactive video walls to activity trails, Lego boards and brainstorming pegboards, it reads less serious, more fun. Collaborative zones take their names and inspiration from iconic Mumbai bars — Mondy’s, Woodside, Soul Fry and Bonobo — while artefacts from past projects sprawl casually across all surfaces. 

Here, there’s no right way to work — you can sit, lie down, wander, or just be. The office is constantly shifting and so is its heart: a rotating community wall that invites everyone to share books, music and inspiration. 

Kulfi Collective’s office in Mumbai by The Comma Collective; Photography by Lokesh Dang
CEPL's office in Mumbai by AVVO; Photography by 21 Frames by Mahendra Jangid Styling by Studio 1mm

Unconventional design by AVVO

Not every office has plants growing atop desks, but CEPL’s Mumbai outpost by AVVO isn’t following the rules anyway. Designed with natural material and ergonomic intent, this workspace strikes a rare balance between calm and efficiency. Overhead storage lines the walls to keep desks clutter-free and wood, plants and a grey Flexstone wall make the place feel more retreat than routine. 

But the real plot twist? A sculptural bar — yes, a bar — hidden in the director’s cabin. And in the conference room, a switchable glass partition — transparent when you want flow, opaque when you need privacy. 

 

Read More: 10 dining rooms. Endless inspirations. Are you craving a home-made meal?

CEPL's office in Mumbai by AVVO; Photography by 21 Frames by Mahendra Jangid Styling by Studio 1mm
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