#AIExclusive: Meerut's minimal yet modern office space takes an off the wall approach

When the client, GPPL, approached Ar Anuj Singh, Principal Architect of Kreebox Architects, for the design of their new factory office in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, the brief was clear – they wanted the office to be a reflection of their personality and style. The location of the site is in the industrial area of the city and it hardly took any time for Anuj to decide adopt an industrial theme for the office’s interiors.

Minimal aesthetics

A stunning sculpture in the centre of the staircase, its open arms suggesting the growth of the company, attracts your attention instantly in this two-storey building, even as a combination of brick cladding and concrete that runs rhythmically throughout the interior adds to the industrial aesthetic of the office space. The backdrop of the sculpture is done in MS pipe work and the profile light extends gracefully up to the mumty level. The scale and lighting of the area makes it stand out from the rest of the space, making it a piece de resistance of the entire space. The ground floor of this striking building encompasses common spaces – a reception, a waiting area, a double height temple, staff area and a lab.

Geometric pattern tiles laid in a straight axis from the entrance, all the way up to the lab, around which all the spaces are designed, lends a dramatic effect to the ground floor area. The double-height temple, which is situated right opposite the sculpture, helps in balancing the space and exudes a sense of proportion. The ceiling done in exposed MS work and the lighting beautifully underscores the industrial and minimalistic theme envisioned by the designer. The theme is further accentuated with the wide use of brick cladding, concrete texture, and wood and steel as the natural materials. The use of a neutral colour palette gives the space a quiet sophistication.

The first floor comprises the formal spaces of the rather interesting and unique office building. Here, the conference room follows the intrinsic design scheme, but for the director’s cabin, the architect has gone for a chic and classic French style interior. The idea is to give the room a distinctive appeal and the design fulfils this need quite wonderfully. Interestingly, the director’s cabin also comprises a fixed window next to the desk, making it easier for him to demonstrate the working of the factory to his clients.

Overcoming challenges

Kreebox and its team encountered several challenges in the design and execution aspects of the project. “Our biggest concern was to complete and design the project within the client’s budget. In order to achieve this, we used brick cladding tiles, concrete texture paint, and exposed ceiling design which reduced the material cost to a great extent,” says Anuj. Besides, the project being attached to a red oxide factory plant posed another problem, as it left the building vulnerable to exposure to the red oxide powder. This issue was addressed by the decision of doing away with balconies and fenestrations in the façade and going with fixed windows and glazing wherever possible.

Design appeal

As far as Kreebox and Anuj are concerned, the double height space around the staircase is by far the their most favourite design element in the entire building. A mix of artificial and natural plants converts the office into a verdant work space and gives it a break from the industrial effect. It also manages to infuse a note of freshness into the office environment.

As Anuj himself says, “The GPPL office is a building with an industrial edge with modern style interiors.” Touché!