This Panchkula office manifests openness in a linear plan

Setting the design story

The project serves as an office for a young design firm with a small team of 4 people. With a mere 270 square feet of space and a long and narrow plan, developing a good office space posed to be a challenging task. The intend was to have an engaging and interactive workplace with only the integral facilities, keeping in mind the space and the budget constraint. Thus, an open plan office that would foster an interactive work environment was deemed to be the best solution. 

Entering through the balcony on the first floor of the building, a meeting table, two workstations and a common work desk for the two partners was planned, each of these flowing into the other. A future expansion plan was also worked out, where two more workstations could be added once the team grows.

Minimal materialism

The material palette was conceived to be minimal, yet rich in pattern, texture and color. Apart from the neutral tones of white, grey and black, shades of blue were planned, since the color is known to increase creativity and lend calmness.

Grey terrazzo tiles run on the wall and floor creating a seamless look and a neutral background.  Woodwork was done in a combination of oak and black-painted wood. Hints of blue in the upholstery and artifacts pop out of the rather neutral background to lend vividness to the entire space. Indoor plants were added to accentuate the overall mood of the space.

Light it up!

Lighting was a crucial part of the design, which was planned keeping in mind the different lighting requirements of each space. Black coloured lights were chosen to complement the colour scheme. A chandelier was designed above the principal architect’s desk to amplify it, spot lights were used to highlight the sculpture on the wall and a suspended lamp was added above the meeting table to give focus lighting.

A parametrically designed and digitally fabricated sculpture inspired by the fluidity of the space adds an artistic touch to the office and also speaks of the practice’s interest in digital design. 

Overall, the space is an amalgamation of different forms, materials and textures added in different interior elements, coming together in a balanced way.

Fact File:

Project Name: Studio i.O
Project Category: Interior Design 
Project Location: Panchkula, India
Project Size: 270 sq ft
Architect: Design i.O Architects
Photographer credits: Purnesh Dev Nikhanj

About the design firm:

Design i.O is an interdisciplinary practice based in Chandigarh, India, seeking to forge new space interpretations by exploring unmapped concepts and technologies in architecture. Saurabh Singla and Palak Singla, the principal architects, believe that a bespoke and permutated output (O) can be constructed by a deep analysis of the project context and the client’s mandate (i).

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