Design ni Dukaan, a multi-disciplinary design studio from Ahmedabad that shapeshifts between architecture, interior design, and furniture and product design, had a curious omittance in its portfolio so far—that of office design—and for good reason. Veeram Shah, their principal architect, describes typical office design projects as "quick solutions with aluminium sections, commercially bought-out modular furniture, and exposed piping," standing as a customary antithesis to his studio’s design philosophy—a keen focus on materiality and intently crafted details. When a client approached them for the interiors of a small 123 sq.m. office in Gujarat’s Gandhidham, they were keen to steer away from the norm. “At Design ni Dukaan, there is a constant attempt to rethink an already perceived notion that permeates everything that design can address,” the Ahmedabad-based studio describes in an official release. In line with the same, they presented the client with a design brief centred on attempting to use their knowledge of details from traditional craftsmanship to reimagine office spaces. “Can we use materiality as a process to find a solution to this project? Can we use this process to create a warm work culture? An atmosphere that induces more productivity? Can art inserts become a seamless part of the volume?”, the team led by Shah enlists some of the questions they posed as part of their intended rethinking of office spaces.

What transpired from this process was a design vocabulary with an earthiness derived from the sincere use of materials. While the concept of redevelopment of office spaces isn't innately novel, the general approach here is to investigate the programmatic and functional nature of spaces. The spatial planning of the office thus follows a rather traditional approach; the unconventionality in the reimagination of the space is through materiality and details. The diverse curved forms are visually bound with a recurring composition of reclaimed teakwood, blown glass, and terracotta micro concrete. Exuding a remarkable warmth, the temperate and rather cohesive nature of the material palette accents the cold concrete finish, balancing the overall visual ambience and sentiment of the space, the lack of which, is often apparent in conventional offices with a rather stark sterility.

Elucidating the project’s conceptual framework, Shah stated, "The design philosophy for this project revolved around preserving the existing structural elements, particularly the concrete walls. Unlike conventional interior spaces where structural elements are often concealed, we opted to embrace and showcase the raw concrete shell. This decision became a central theme as we constructed and planned the space around it, appreciating and even highlighting the subtle imperfections that accompanied it.”

The spatial requirements for the schema were especially uncomplicated—a reception, a waiting area, two executive cabins, meeting desks and workstations, along with a pantry and a toilet. The makers at Design ni Dukaan particularly mentioned the entrance as bearing an impetus for the overall design, marked with a folding door with patterns inspired by various modernists, to avoid using a typical commercial shutter. The entrance leads to a vestibule that retains a monolithic appeal, donning the company’s name and holding a shoe storage space. Further, a glass mural artwork captures the visitor’s attention, creating a halo-like effect using concentrically decreasing layers of 5mm thick brown glass. The reception desk is fused with the mural wall, envisioned akin to a sculpture for the visitors stationed in the waiting area as a visual stimulus. “In pursuit of a cohesive design language and narrative, furniture was conceptualised as functional art,” Shah told STIR.

The reception table sits across the waiting area, where curved seating contiguously flows from the waiting area wrapping around the discussion area. This space lies at the heart of the office, albeit, a bit far from two openings in the facade that prove a natural light source. The designers were prompted thus to provide a skylight for the space, which brought in abundant natural light. “In the process of designing the project, this was always envisioned as the central soul through which light and life would permeate other parts of the office,” the design studio elaborated.

The southern leg of the office holds the first executive cabin and the accounts section along with the pantry and dining area. The project’s internal spaces are further punctuated by openings and transparent partitions, allowing extended visual contact for the many details the designers embellish the office space with. The northern leg of the office consists of the second executive office, a temple, and workstations. The temple is the only part of the design scheme that deviates from the material palette, standing out with marble and crafted handles to amplify its significance.

The desks in all the spaces were custom-designed by Design ni Dukaan, after building a comprehensive understanding with the client. The executive tables are designed in layers of micro concrete, punctured and accented with wood, lending the table a tinge of warmth. The other tables—built out of teakwood—share a litheness often associated with malleable materials. “We added playful elements like spherical legs and glass inserts to create visually light tables,” Shah described the thought process that went behind conceptualising and rethinking regular work desks.

Paintings commissioned and designed for the project adorn the back walls of the two executive cabins. The patterns of the partition walls were derived from a study of Brazilian landscape architect Burle Marx’s work in an attempt to create ‘endless’ patterns. The design practice was thus responsible for designing every element of the project, from the lights, office chairs and other furniture, handle details, murals, and art, to even the logo of the company. “Every material brought to the site was purposefully utilised, leaving no room for waste. This conscientious approach extended to the smallest details, with even the tiniest remnants finding new life as elements like light fixtures and chairs,” Shah expressed, reaffirming his studio’s approach to the project. The cohesion of the space makes the practice’s commitment to crafting every detail evident. Metaphorising their work, akin to that of artisans of clay, Design ni Dukaan’s work here seeks to harness the intrinsic qualities of materials to craft environments that exude warmth and hospitality, as they attempt to ignite a sense of purpose and belonging in the people who inhabit these spaces.

Project Details

Name: Shilpee Corporate Office
Location: Gandhidham, Gujarat
Area: 123 sq.m.
Year of completion: 2023
Architect: Design ni Dukaan
Carpentry: Mr. Paras Suthar and team
Electrical: Mr. Vithal and team
Artwork: Rutva Joshi
Micro concrete work: Heubeton, Ahmedabad