Nestled in the heart of Mumbai, ensconced by lush greens on three sides, the CY Corp Office stands as a tangible manifestation of the philosophy rooted in honesty and enduring relationships. Within its architectural framework, intricately interwoven with the core values of design and real estate, Jasleen Changani, the Principal Architect, and her partner, Milind Changani, infused not just the essence of their company but also their distinct personalities into the creation of this extraordinary space. A testament to uniqueness, this 4,000 sq ft office seeks inspiration not only from its surfaces but also from its verdant surroundings. Consciously enveloped, the workstations are encased in transparent walls, seamlessly bringing the ambiance of an art gallery atmosphere into the corporate office.
Intended to inspire
The CY Corp office, is exactly that- an inspiration from the inspired. Upon crossing the threshold of the raw and softly illuminated entrance lobby, the CY Corp logo serves as a distinctive marker, guiding the feet along an undulating pathway leading to the main entrance. The uncluttered volume of the space lays bare its intentions, of entering a space that beckons exploration.
Upon arrival, the threshold transforms into a linear street that consumes the feet deeper into the space. Aptly named ‘the street,’ this walkway unfolds a dynamic display of choices, from the director’s cabin on the left to the gleaming art gallery on the opposite end. The reception area, against a backdrop of meditative slate gray marble, exudes tranquility, complemented by a waiting area where the furniture’s dynamic frequency gently lures passersby into a relaxing embrace. A celebration of Indian artisans, the ceiling artwork by The Wicker Story resonates with the ethos of the space from the outset. A playful circular swing by Andblack Studio and an arrangement of miniature sculptures by Claymen add a whimsical touch to the waiting area. Progressing along the street, the wall adjoining the entrance recedes into a niche adorned with glimpses of art borrowed from the gallery, cleverly concealing rough and edgy services overhead. The street terminates into a lingering landmark of the IKKO Art Gallery entrance, where Artist Arjun Rathi’s cloud art installation softens the ambiance with a touch of ethereal beauty.
Fluid and functional
The main cabin boasts walls that gracefully warp – merging and diverging to achieve harmonious proportions. Reflecting the true essence of functionality, the form of these storage arrangements follow an independent path towards abstraction. An iron cable-supported table spans the length of the room, anchored by an asymmetrical mechanism. Amidst surfaces with varied moods, the envelope maintains a cohesive language that gracefully ages. Rooted in depth and material richness, the discussion corner is adorned with pieces that inspire creativity and nostalgia. The authenticity of the backdrop wall, the refined sophistication of the sofa, the vibrant lines of the Hatsu rug and table, complemented by the fluid light fixture from Andblack Studio in Gujarat, invigorated by green plants and Artist Gurmeet Marwah’s masterpiece titled ‘Nothing Goes With You’, make the brainstorming corner a vestibule for profound dynamism in discussions. A corner where multiple minds converge to birth ideas as raw and uplifting as the surroundings.
Exiting through an impressively large door into the expansive workstation area, the balanced arrangement of desks and smaller cabin divisions offers a gleaming greeting at every turn. Slate divisions, teakwood surfaces, and Corten Steel dividers embody the meticulously-imagined functionality of the space. Bathed in sweeping daylight, the undulated marble divisions between workstations and the reception are adorned with a garland of free-growing greens. As one immerses in deep contemplation, the sight of the art gallery across the section serves as a reminder that the relationship between art and architecture intricately shapes the decisions made in this space.
Between imagination and reality
The consciously cushioned boardroom, surrounded by the gallery wall of rotating art pieces, embraces inspiration from the ever-changing mood of the displays visible through the wide glass partition. Stripped of walls, the transparent boardroom encapsulates the ethos of inviting fresher and more sensitive perspectives into discussions. It stands as a testament to enduring relationships, symbolized by a recycled wooden door that has gracefully transitioned from their former workspace, anchoring the space with a sense of time-honored continuity. The interplay of ceiling light artwork from The Wicker Story, paralleling the large table by Andblack Studio at the center of the space, effortlessly dissolves the boundaries between art and architecture, encouraging minds to transcend beyond numbers and charts, infusing fluid and authentic qualities into their decisions.
The second cabin unfolds as a burrow of inspiration. The captivating light fixture by Shailesh Rajput, mushrooming over the undulated table, becomes a captivating focal point. Illuminating the four raw and unfinished pieces of slate fused together to create the center table is a masterstroke, embodying the essence of the entire office. Positioned against wide windows adorned with nostalgic inspirations, the work desk overlooks nature’s lush green canvas surrounding this third-floor sanctuary.
Beauty in authenticity
Curiously stepping into the silent hero of the space, the IKKO Art Gallery beckons with an irresistible allure. With artworks rotating timely, this linear display gallery transforms itself with each new piece of art. Beyond showcasing the creations of Indian artists, the 1,200 sq ft space itself becomes a modeled canvas. Movable display screens, interspersed with three-dimensional installations, lend a dynamic identity to the evolving gallery. Blessed with abundant daylight and flanked by a green canopy, the art gallery emerges as a tryst between ideas and inspirations, not just from within but also from its surroundings. The strategic openness and intentional layout of the space renders an intriguing identity to this commercial office.
The richness of reused wood, the rough texture of undulated slate, and the refined finishes of Corten Steel set the language of space design within its material palette. The black kadappa flooring, grounds the feet into reality, while the alloy of iron, nickel, and chrome fuses into a robust Corten Steel finish, the reused wood symbolizes the time-honored relations and values of the company. Utilizing materials such as marble, slate, and wood in their raw form strips away ornamentation, proudly announcing authenticity across every corner of the space. Frequented not only by employees and art enthusiasts, the office stands as a meeting point for officials, clients, societies, and friends alike.
Beyond catering to the diverse and curious eyes of onlookers, the space transparently communicates the identity of the designer duo. Departing from conventional design trends, the CY Corp office sets its own standards of inspiration, celebrating raw, rustic, and refined elegance in a manner uniquely its own.
Fact file:
Name of the project: CY Corp Office and IKKO Art Gallery
Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Total area: 5,200 sq ft
Type: Workspace Interior Design
Design firm: CY Corp
Lead designers: Jasleen and Milind Changani
This article was published in the February 2024 issue. Read the e-Magazine here!
