To commence with the design we worked with some briefs and frameworks. The area of the project is considered as 765sqft, and the space requirements are as followed:
Founders cabin
Conference space/ AV room
Individual working space
Recreational space/dining space
Pantry
Printing area
MOOD BOARD
CONCEPT:
To create fluid and energetic spaces, assemblies which become an experience for an eye when the employee escapes the screen time and is moving around in the office.
STRATEGIES:
Diffusion of warm ceiling light through suspended metal-mesh ceilings.
Reflective flooring to continue the design of fluidity.
Hanging Storages for lightness in design.
Lights running through Baffled ceiling to enhance the visual appearance of fluidity in the design.
The space gets vaguely divided into 4 horizontals, on the basis of user accessibility, circulation, and nature of the space. As you enter, on the left is the reception. One navigates towards the left from the ceiling-pivoted door to reach the founder's cabin and the conference room, which are also interconnected. Towards the right of the ceiling pivoted door, is the co-working space mainly occupied by the employees. And further on towards the end, is the bathroom, pantry, and dining space. The way we live, work, and play is changing almost beyond recognition. As the lines between office, home, and leisure activities blur, both private and public spaces must now fulfill multiple purposes in a defined amount of space.
It is evidently seen the play and drama of the spaces are bought mainly through the ceiling and wall finishes. The false ceiling, from the coworking spaces to the bathroom, is aluminum-coated metal mesh, suspended from the ceiling. And from the reception to the conference room is a baffling false ceiling, suspended from the ceiling as well. The language of suspension continues to provide overhead open storage for the employees at their workstations. Closed storage is given as drawers below the work desk, and a long drawer of 750 mm height is given to keep bags for each employee. The server room is enclosed within the presentation room.
Lights hang between the ceiling and the false ceiling, producing dispersed light from the metal mesh. The baffled ceiling language continues below and is translated into a baffled ceiling pivoted door and wall panels. This pivoted door acts as a component to produce fluidity in space but also is a screen of privacy.
Various folding partitions of fluted glass, save space, look aesthetic, connect the flow of space and act as a screen of privacy. Task lights are provided at the button of the suspended shelves, on the lower edge of the steel box section. The desired colour scheeme of the project is gained by acrylic paints, similar colour pvc panels and other wall finishes.
Light layout:
The lights are also planned out strategically according to this grid, suspended circular lights are used in the space with meshed ceiling, whereas linear lights are installed in the baffled ceiling, such that the light source is almost concealed. Droplight and cove lights are given wherever needed. A master switch of every space is connected to the switchboard at the reception. Switchboards, with a socket, are provided on the co-working table, with a dummy below to carry the wiring.
Flooring layout:
The founder's cabin and the presentation room have dark grey vitrified tiles, and the rest of the space has epoxy flooring, the flooring has a reflective nature, to have a sense of continuity.
The Visualisation:
You enter the office with a dramatic view of the baffled ceiling that continues in the wall and the door.
On entering, one encounters the reception desk with a back wall of lime plaster to produce a rough and edgy aesthetic.
The play of textures continues, next to the reception desk is a door that leads you to the presentation room. The presentation room is an intense space, which is the result of the play of lights and the wall finishes
The founder's office, placed next to the presentation room, is aestheticized by the use of planters, by suspending the false ceiling panels lower than usual and a large view of the outside.
Once you go right from the ceiling-pivoted door, you enter the coworking spaces, which have a bold and energetic vibe by the use of its colors. Task lights in the suspended metal grid provide a focused area for the employees and the suspended storage adds to the lightness of the space.
Further, you enter the pantry and the dining space, these spaces are different in their nature, one overlooks the outside and is an open subtle space, whereas the pantry is a more intimate and intense space. This adds up to the drama and fluidity of the space
The red chipped porcelain tiles continue from the pantry to the bathroom, to have a sense of continuity.
Bill of Quantities (Summary):
Each and every decision in terms of design and material selection is done by keeping a check of cost and amount.