At first glance, the dichotomy between the two projects we are about to explore is quite apparent. One, a residential duplex in Kerala, India, that embodies tropical brutalism while being one with the outdoors and the second, a flagship home furnishing and fabric store that relies on the formal exploration of the concept of ‘flow’. But if you look closely enough, a distinct signature emerges, prevalent in the broader design approach and the subtle details that follow. Indeed, Workers of Art—led by co-founders and principal architects Priya Rose and Rahul Mathew—have established a perceptible language that is at once evocative and experimental.

When asked about the guiding principles that govern their body of work, WoA reveals a set of five core tenets: a search for the unknown to push creative boundaries, a practice to allow art and functionality to coexist, an imagination that provokes new ways of thinking, a robust system of research to back their processes, and respect for memory through being mindful of a design’s lifecycle, prioritising not only a narrative of the future but of the past as well. “Through our work, we strive to create the unexpected—spaces that evoke new experiences and engage users in unique ways,” Rose tells STIR.

Gardens in the Sky

In Gardens in the Sky (an evocative name befitting this Kerala apartment that frames a continuous skyline glimpsed through the greens dotted around its periphery), WoA channels an aesthetic that is earthy and aged. “The dominance of earthy textures in our work stems from our belief that architecture should engage all the senses,” explains Mathew. As the vines and creepers grow along the textured walls, one realises that materials become more than just surfaces here, they breathe life into the space, evoking emotions while interacting with their environments to create meaningful connections between concept and context.

This was the homeowners’ first stint in an apartment and the young couple did not come with much of a brief, except to have an open, ample space reminiscent of their old houses within the 3,500-square-foot area. The living room is enveloped in glass to open up to the outside with seamless corner joints that only add to the feeling of expansiveness. However, the biggest intervention comes in the form of connecting the previously separate apartments as a duplex, replacing part of the floor and beams with a conspicuously painted fire engine red steel girder. Accents of the red recur bring the residence to read as a cohesive story. “For us, architecture and interiors are inseparable; we approach them as a unified whole through the lens of spatial design,” reveals Rose, underscoring the studio's focus on creating environments that evoke emotional and sensory responses.

The inclusion of the scarlet staircase, which later cuts across the double-height volume to bridge the two bedrooms on the upper floor, breaks the uniformity of the earthy textures. “We are highly experimental with our designs and bold colours; when used in the right measure, it can be a tool to add to the narrative and the overall experience of the space,” explains Rose. In Gardens in the Sky, the signal red staircase takes on a symbolic meaning—bringing to mind a striking visual like the apple in the Garden of Eden, representing the pièce de résistance in the young couple's home.

The Ribbon

In their design for a fabric store christened The Ribbon, the old and the new immerse in a constant tête-à-tête. WoA refurbishes an old house with minimal intervention apart from the insertion of one strong, defining element. Inspired by the twirl of fabric, a continuous multifunctional horizontal steel rod suspended from the ceiling emerges as the protagonist of this design narrative, guiding visitors with a whimsical note that is as functional as it is aesthetic. Much like the staircase of Garden in the Sky, in The Ribbon, the designers convey the brand’s ethos with its signature vermillion orange emphasising the most versatile element of the space.

“Geometry, whether bold or organic, is deeply rooted in our architectural foundation and is always guided by the specific needs of the space,” explains Mathew, when questioned about the path this bold installation follows. As it snakes around the volumes, the feature flits in and out of multiple roles with ease. The red spine morphs from a guiding element to a fabric hanger with spotlights built into it to highlight certain displays around the store. “Craftsmanship also plays a crucial role in this design,” avers Rose, pointing to the rippled fabric curtains of various depths that distinguish zones. Set against a neutral palette of grey and white which offer a vivid glimpse of how materials will contrast against both light and dark palettes, homogeneity and coherence reign supreme.

Sustainability is another layer integral to Workers of Art. For them, while tactility lends a layer of richness to the space that takes it beyond the visual experience, their material choices are also punctuated with a sense of timelessness and broader mindfulness. “It is not just about using eco-friendly products," the architects share, "but about being conscious of material waste, overuse of resources and the overall impact on the environment."

It doesn’t come as a surprise to see these considerations recurring in all their works, perhaps most apparent in their very office called WoA Second Home. Their open-plan studio integrates the lush foliage of over 100 potted plants into the design, creating a unique microclimate. The eco-conscious strategies aid significant energy savings, with the design and material choices contributing to spatial flexibility while minimising construction waste.

In Closing

“Our vision is to craft environments, regardless of their scale, that are not only functional but also transformative, allowing users to encounter, engage and immerse themselves in spaces in ways they may have never imagined,” reiterates Rose. Looking forward, they turn to bigger and grander scales, hoping to apply their modest yet all-encompassing design philosophy and visual language to urban projects (including waterfront developments and open malls). “The scale is bigger, but our approach remains rooted in the same values—impacting larger user groups, impacting societies and the public while maintaining our focus on experiential design—emotion and form,” conclude the duo.