Striking a balance between corporate minimalism and a nonchalant industrial aesthetic that prioritizes authenticity of expression.

The Sony office, nestled in the urban milieu of Navi Mumbai, exudes a young vigour with the vibrant portfolio of Sony evident in every volume. Gutted down by an unfortunate fire accident in the past, the former office demanded a revival through modern and refined design vocabulary. Envisioning an idea of striking a balance between corporate minimalism that characterizes the global workspace comfort the design celebrates the robustness of subdued corporate ethos. It caters to a nonchalant industrial aesthetic that prioritizes authenticity of expression, to create an office environment that is open, invigorating, subtly regimented and fits within clients budgetary.

The office spread across an area of 7000 sq.ft with exposed structural layout which was originally intended for an industrial unit. With a primordial agenda of incorporating spaces such as a director’s cabin, a conference room, a visitors’ lounge, meeting rooms, an editing room and an accounts room along with a total of 75 workstations in an open plan, the journey of design experimentation started.

The design strategy is interlaced with the idea of fluidity while retaining the vastness of the block. The reception opens up with an inviting beginning; it is devised as a transitory space to the visitors lounge ahead. Avoiding the mundane cabin approach that clutters the volume, the employee hierarchy is established through customising workstation design. The staff workstations that run along the central core, breaks the typical linear grid of workstation design with a row of organic shaped spine that promotes interaction. The rear end of the office dedicated for the mid-level managers, equipped is furnished with bespoke C-shaped workstations to make the most of enriching natural light from the windows on the perimeter. Located on the left most zone is the managerial team which is segregated into open capsules demarcated by half walls and freestanding wooden consoles that casts interaction as well as privacy with the outer zone.

The transparent cabin of CEO is a reflection of the persona of client, composed of subtle décor accents including casual seating with exposed legs and a quirky credenza on the right corner. Inviting natural light through large fenestration, all the private zones like meeting rooms, director’s cabin and the conference room are arranged along the peripheral zones. Subsequently, the cafeteria is devised with informal tables and a kitchenette; washrooms can be accessed through it to maintain an organised flow of activities.

Minimal yet corporate code of the office is attained by the subtle accents of industrial style where ceiling is rendered with exposed ducts and exposed brick walls are painted with white hues. Imbuing the column layout into the design, freestanding consoles and desks are fitted between two pillars while they withhold the shelves.  For the workstation to remain uncluttered, customised storage units are introduced. Contemporary landscaping of the interiors stimulates an organised and peaceful works environment. Accessories such as floor lamps, planters and rug add an essence of minimalist cues to the space. A visual symphony is created in seating where the vibrancy of red is used to break the monotony of grey.

Rigid palette of industrial décor sophisticated in whites allows the design to communicate through skeletal textures while endorsing the minimalist corporate finesse. Pertaining to the concept of fluidity and parading each element of décor in a picturesque frame, glass partitions that are detailed in a black aluminium grid are used to enclose the private zones. While catering to fluidity, the grey carpet flooring that covers the entire floor regulates the acoustics of the space.      

Permeating natural light into the design through large fenestration encompasses a positive psychological impact in the stressful aura of work space. The suspended metal shades above the workstations not only endures continuity over the ceiling plane but also limit the expenses. Envisaging the work culture of the young and creative employees of Sony, the design weaves an eloquent narrative of elegance that gleams energy, encourages productivity and portrays the charisma of the Company.