Indian firm UA Lab, based in Gujarat, recently completed an interior design project for an office space in Ahmedabad, called ‘Delusion’. The project adhered to the studio’s vision as it optimised entirely the 27 sqm area of the project site. The project is named ‘Delusion’ as it highlights how light can be used to play off the interiors in such a manner that it creates the perception of the space appearing bigger than its actual physical size. Within the office space, the specifications were set for two director cabins, working zone, and reception area along with waiting and pantry room.

Given that the space was restrictive in terms of size, the use of light and different materials was put into place to ensure that the space does not feel like it will close in on itself and at the same time, retain the concept of an open plan. The layout accounts for three working table spaces, one large office with a separate waiting lounge, and a utility room with a pantry.

Using glass with different tints, the spaces around the office have been carved out to adhere to various functional requirements. Arched with a delicate brass frame, the glass has been articulated in such a manner that it creates a dynamic inter-reflection and refraction of natural light entering the premises. The brass frame creates a matrix of shadow patterns on the vertical and horizontal surfaces of the area and gives the overall space a sense of openness.

The implementation of space dividers demarcates the individual working spaces from the common multi-functional office area. The dividers are also crucial for giving the workspaces their privacy. The material used for the space dividers is a combination of transparent and opaque surfaces and the transparent surfaces have been kept clear to allow the space to look streamlined and not add any visual excess.

While working with a smaller space, the materials used in the design were crucial factors in maximising the existing physical space. The primary materials used for the interiors of the office are mild steel, glass, and wood. Combinations of these materials have been used throughout the office in creating furniture, lighting fixtures, ceiling details, space dividers, and wall murals as well.

Mild steel has been used to fit as the main structural frame to combine glass and wood. The orthogonal geometry with the different combinations of curved, and vertical and horizontal lines of shadow within the office create interesting surfaces. All the materials have been used in their natural form to design the simple yet elegant interior space.

The furniture has also been designed keeping in mind the natural fabric of the interiors. The simple mild steel frames allow to minimise the structural member for all the furniture while also allowing natural light and space itself to flow seamlessly from one point to the other. In the middle of the office space, a curtain of horizontally arranged wooden strips have been implemented and a cocoon-like space with a curved ceiling has been put into place to provide diversity in the already linear space. The studio comments, “Unobstructed natural light and linearity tie diverse spaces together, making the singularity and diversity both to co-exist harmoniously”.

Project Details:

Name: Delusion
Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Architecture Firm: UA Lab (Urban Architectural Collaborative)
Lead Architects: Krishnakant Parmar, BageshriThakar
Completion Year: 2020
Built Area: 27 square metres

(Text by Shreeparna Chatterjee, editorial trainee at stirworld.com)