The genesis of this project was growth and expansion. The Jai Aravali Group of Industries, engaged in the manufacture and supply of chemicals connected to the paper industry, was looking to consolidate its Mumbai operations. The task of designing the 5000sq-ft space, which would house their workspace, was entrusted to Hansi S, who helms H S Designs, a young interior design and styling firm established in 2018. Aligned to her company’s belief in “in delivering design experiences that are distinctive, compelling with superb quality and individuality, Hansi articulated the layout planning as a space where you “see more people than partitions… Optimum utilisation of the natural light in the workstation area, conference room, and director’s room was the target,” she reveals.
The challenge came in the form of guidelines laid by vastu for planning as well as colour usage — the main one being the entry into the CMD’s cabin from the reception. “This was resolved by creating a large screen with diagonal aluminium fins (to shield the CMD’s cabin from direct view) in the reception with its Italian marble desk and straight-lined sofas,” says the designer whose goal is to create designs tailored to individual unique styles and blending the functional and aesthetic needs. “To this end,” Hansi elucidates further, “we are involved right from initial concepts, budgeting and material selections, to execution, styling of each piece of furniture and project coordination.”
Neutral laminates tempered with splashes of colour in chairs, storage units, glass films and loose furniture add vibrancy throughout the office. The conference room, which receives copious amounts of sunlight thanks to the extensive glazing, has a formal appearance with pastel mauve colour on the TV wall. The room is sufficiently flooded by natural light from the glazing during day time. All tables have been designed with Corian, veneer and laminate, and look sleek despite having considerable length.
In the cabins, a display and storage cabinet, built into the credenza behind the desks, maintains the scale and proportion of the main desk. These units serve to display personal curios and collectibles, lending an individualistic flavour to these private workspaces. Pastel shades appearing in niches and randomly on shutters break the monotony of the laminate.
The main workstation area has both, linear and clustered formations as per the department. The desks and storage units continue the neutral colour palette seen in the cabins, with chromatic relief given by plants and a green glass film. A play in the colour of the back of chairs with deep red and grey is done to keep the colours flowing through the open space. The highlight of the cafeteria is the bold graphic wall flaunting thought-provoking words and cheery graphics.
This office balances functionality and aesthetics deftly, making it a comfortable and efficient workspace for its employees.
PROJECT DETAILS
Area: 5000sq-ft
Location: Andheri East, Mumbai
Contractors: Max Constructions (Mohan Bhadwa)
Year of completion: 2019
Photography: Sagar Karnik
