A Purist Form
Subhashish Mandal
Across the many years of my career in interior design and more recently as a lifestyle blogger, I have had the opportunity to work with many people and companies that have created their own vision of aesthetics. Understanding that design does answer a need and may begin with a utilitarian requirement, the customised journey of finding that solution is what makes the “answer to the need” special. Much of my recent experience has been with corporate office interiors. As compared to design for residences and retail, the world of office spaces finds itself dependent on many factors and evolving across borders and has undergone a sea of transformations. With a realisation that more and more hours are spent within the office, the conceptualisation of the space planning, furniture trends, visual aesthetics and branding have seen fundamental changes in their approach.
Employers, more so today, are looking at more open planning, the “one- team flat organisation”, wellness and green incentives while breaking down divisions between the team. Bringing people closer together, social media, travel habits and the Millennials, each design has to bring in that special customisation that engages and therefore “retains” the workforce hired. No longer are cabins, work cubicles and large closed meeting rooms, the rule; it is time for collaboration and co- working.
Archohm has been instrumental in defining these trends in their projects. Following the directive of the founder Sourabh Gupta, the dialogues are always about finding the “Big Idea” and design every element. Delving deep under the skin of the client – the company’s objectives, its ethos and work culture, solutions and intent is built on the foundation of these values. Driven by a principle of form follows function the concept moves beyond the idea of just finding placement of requirements but actually reinterpreting the brief to the next level. And as they say the best ideas begin at home, their own office is true testament of this ideology.
The workspace is not an office but a gathering of creative environments. A purist and an inspiration of the masters is seen in every planning and physical element in the design. Combining volumes, customised light designs, merging natural materials and finding innumerable
connections and narratives within the spaces is the essential DNA which rules the ethos. A mélange of brick, rough natural rubble walls and concrete facades enclose what is connecting floor plates of studios, collaborative islands and private spaces for meetings. Signature circular logo cutouts connect double height volumes, large north facing glass facades illuminate work spaces which flow into landscaped amphitheatres, walkways and terrace gardens. A strong believer in legacy if the modern greats, the inclusion of iconic design furniture inspires all against the backdrop of natural light play and textured enclosures.
Carrying forward the thought, the design for an interesting media house in Delhi, is only a confirmation of the approach. Taking the colours of the branding and showcasing the vibrancy of this Media House, the office is a riot of patterns which connects multiple functions.
The vivacious surroundings complement the long hours and creative work done by the team and provide constant visual engagement. Privacy in its large open expanse floors plans are done via floating storage and large ceiling architectural light features and not the traditional partition systems. Propagating the idea of the purist form, the circle of connection forms patterns in walls and ceiling designs. Providing floating corners for interactions, book shelf partitions and designer cabins are key elements in trends today. Every element introduced has a function and clear relevance in its placement. The signature graphic overlay in the design is a superimposition that excites and invigorates from all corners.
In one of the clear examples of ‘ celebrating the brand’ is the an office done for a Solar power and energy company. Driving forces of the same and keeping in mind the young team and the way they work, the design shows scattered circular forms and light sources which talks about the company’s profile. Meeting areas with the citrus colours are placed along transparent axis in the floor plate in between work areas which become more of a visual focus than just a function. The large circular light embodies the sun at the entrance area before a person arrives at the floating islands of these meeting spaces. The trademark industrial design look with the grey enclosures and citrus colour schemes with the pine wood facades in the furniture forms an identifiable language that is truly trademark. One of the signature elements is the stepped amphitheatre design which becomes a stage and meeting area for the staff to come in and discuss in and more.
The architects’ principle remains a celebration of the bespoke. The “custom solution” becomes king in any approach to the journey they make and the client space become not only a workspace but a keystone in their identity of brand/ people and future ambitions.