The site was an old office setup working within a typical roomed residential plan. In contrast, the handed design programs prompted to have a more collaborative behavior of work. Hence, the design demanded liberal planning.
Challenged by the existing room structure, the first move was to strip down all feasible internal walls allowing the space to breathe. Doing so would allow in getting a sense of the actual floor available to deploy a design program, enabling dialogue across the floor, visually and literally. Later, along with walls, many other existing elements were taken down, which need not support the collective design aspect. All the existing cluttered windows having busy metal grills were replaced with solid teak wood frames to complement the indoor plantscape and mood. A slight twist in the window configuration, partially fixed with top hung, brought more daylight, visibility, and ventilation into space.
On the other hand, the floor deals with micro-concreting by retaining and treating the existing base, which helped achieve maximum possible headroom. The seamless visual of flooring alternatively annex in an immense space. The materials played a notable role with their subtle natural properties within this shell. The duo of white and micro-concrete floor enhances the spacious output of the built. At the same time, birch and teak wood coexists, complimenting each other in loose furniture and as part of an envelope.
The design talks about making a floor more collaborative than capsule cubicle planning. Space, light, materials, and ergonomics play a crucial role in combining space and holding it together. With its extrovert behavior, the design is speaking and revealing itself over time, allowing everyone to collaborate and share. The refurbished space unfolds new stories with time and for inhabitants, like a theatre in an open play.
Status: Built
Location: Bangalore, IN
Firm Role: Architect
Additional Credits: Furniture : OpenDesk
Chairs: Herman Miller
Flooring: Greenheart Floors