Great design is more than just aesthetics; it’s about crafting spaces that echo the personalities and passions of those who inhabit them. As Charles Eames so aptly put it, “The details are the design.” This philosophy was brought to life in a 550-square-foot Pune office, designed for Varun and Riya Shah, a dynamic couple with diverse professional pursuits—Varun is a developer and Riya, an event manager. To create a shared space that was both functional and clutter-free, the Shahs entrusted Ankur Kothari and Anil Poduval, principal architects and founders of Red Brick Studio, who carefully considered every detail to craft an office that would not only harmoniously blend the Shahs’ individual styles, but also provide a distinct identity to the workplace.
“Being a dual functioning office, we had to ensure that the look and feel of the office felt in line with both the verticals. The eventual solution thus came about through the combination of the ivory white (for the sophistication of the developer entity) and the terracotta (for the warmth of the event management co),” explains Kothari. The dual toned (contrasting) colour theme further extended to the materials which were chosen for the project. “The flooring is a combination of beige Italian floor and a rust terracotta micro-cement floor. The furniture is either finished in open poured veneer or cladded in polished Italian marble. The walls are again, a combination of bone white lime plaster or micro-cement finished walls in rust terracotta,” adds Poduval.
Besides handing over the site, consisting of two 250-square-foot units in a commercial building, the Shahs also provided a detailed spatial requirement list. The resulting 550-square-foot space, achieved by knocking down the central wall, needed to accommodate several key areas: two independent cabins, a common workstation area, a client meeting lounge, a team discussion area, a pantry, and a reception area. Due to the tight floor plate, the architects carefully curated and designed each function to maximize space. This was achieved through multiple meetings with the clients, where high-priority areas were identified and other spaces were designed around them.
The ensuing flow of space guides visitors through an arched opening into the office, where a subtly sculpted interior awaits. The first impression is one of serene elegance, with bone-white lime plaster walls bathed in soft, natural light. A quiet drama unfolds as a series of arched elements layer together, allowing the eye to transition smoothly from one space to another. Amidst this visual harmony, the showstopping rib-vaulted ceiling (created in POP panels and suspended by an aluminium framing) takes center stage, tying the entire office together. Finished in burnt terracotta-coloured micro-topping, the ceiling’s gentle curves flow seamlessly onto the paneling and floor, creating a sense of fluid continuity.
An intriguing suspended solid reception table asserts its presence by subtly protruding into the central passage. In tandem with the pendant light fittings, it discreetly tucks behind the open workstation area, orienting itself towards the meeting lounge. Designed for versatility, the lounge can function as an independent space or seamlessly integrate with the work floor (for internal team discussions) when the full-height glass partition slides open. The seating arrangement exudes warmth and sophistication, featuring a 3-seater sofa with rust-coloured accents, paired with plush armchairs, all anchored by a sleek marble-inlaid coffee table.
Tucked away at the rear, the director cabins are discreetly concealed behind a fluted glass veil, nestled within an elegant arcaded partition. Taking cues from the client’s young and vibrant personalities, the design team wanted the office to render a bold yet a sophisticated feel. This secluded sanctuary is where the refined trio of beige marble, open-poured ivory veneer, and lime plaster truly takes center stage. The director tables are masterful showstoppers, boasting soft, gentle curves meticulously clad in marble to evoke the appearance of carved monoliths. The arch motif is thoughtfully reprised in the niches of varying sizes, forming a bespoke backdrop for the cabins to display books, decorative objects, and customized artwork. A particularly clever detail can be found in one cabin’s corner, where a curved design element provides seamless access to the pantry, cleverly navigating an otherwise tight opening. Throughout this Pune office, task lighting is achieved through a series of COB lights mounted on a recessed magnetic track. Each light is precisely angled to meet the specific needs of its designated task area.
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