Trendy yet professional, the new Ambuja Intermediates office at Lamington Road in South Mumbai has just the right amount of creativity infused into its functional workplace. The manufacturers of dyes and dye intermediates chose Studio Osmosis for the task of carving out this niche office space. “The client was open to design ideas so long as it fit the budget and yet made a strong statement. The concept, palette, details and features were inspired by the chemical company itself whose work is intricate and precise, with manufacturing based on sustainable and Green policies,” mention Sameer Balvally and Shilpa Jain Balvally, principals of Studio Osmosis.
The office maintains a clean and open layout with cabins aligned on one side and the executive cabins in the centre. The open workstation area has a direct connect with these cabins besides being well illuminated with natural daylight. “Being Vastu compliant was one the major requirements as well as a challenge at times with respect to seating directions, visitor orientations, door sizes and other inclusions to negate any negative energies,” point out the principals. Complimenting this clean layout is the colour scheme that predominantly uses grey, beige and white as its primary shades. Green and yellow highlights uplift the minimalistic scheme and also resonate with the company’s Green policies.
Right at the entrance, the clean-cut design and its simple charm is evident with the minimalistic reception desk in birch plywood and a small meeting room. The “test tube wall” in this space could easily be considered as a conversation starter. Designed as an art installation, it has 24 test tubes with coloured sand and small planters. Once again it’s an element that speaks about sustainable principles of the company and its commitment to recycle raw materials. The company logo is used in subtle ways in the interiors without making it an overbearing corporate feature.
The designers consider the feature wall in the semi-lobby space as the “striking element” in the overall design scheme. “The feature wall makes a subtle yet corporate statement as soon as one enters the main office,” explain the duo. The wall stands upfront upon entering the main office, almost as a semi-lobby leading into other spaces. The wall has been designed with the basic hexagon as a module, and further divided into triangles. These shapes have been characterised with different materials like stone-finish laminate, birch, wood, and artificial green turf. This geometrical composition forms the backdrop to a quaint waiting area with lounge chairs and coffee table besides also functioning as a mini breakout zone.
The MD’s cabin finds its distinction in the rich material palette, for example the grand desk finished in Statuario marble laminate and water-jet cut birch ply desk apron. Forming an impressive backdrop to this desk is an artificial green wall that still radiates the warmth associated with natural plants. “The private lounge next to the MD’s cabin has been designed with hexagonal wood wool panels that form an interesting pattern on the walls. Comfortable sofas and ambient lighting makes the space warm and cosy,” explain the principals.
On the other hand, the assistant MDs’ cabins are kept simple with neutral colour tones, with horizontal bands of laminate and a green panel as a backdrop adding character to the space. The executive cabins in the centre of the office are distinguished with coloured film on its glass partitions, which stream in light and form a connection with the rest of the space. The open office is bright and simple with contemporary workstations in white and an open ceiling with suspended lights and exposed services.
The custom designed triangular graphic pattern on the columns adds colour and vibrancy amidst the neutral office space. The different conceptual elements of the design are engaged in a subtle manner in the office space and connect the entire office cohesively with its different functions. “Attention has been paid to the finer details while designing, like the pine wood beading on glass partition frames, elegant wallpapers and simple furniture style along with the accessories and art which gives a radiant and plush feel to the space,” summarise the designers.
Project information:
Project: Ambuja Intermediates Office
Location: Lamington Road, South Mumbai
Architect: Studio Osmosis
Design team: Sameer Balvally, Shilpa Jain Balvally, Komal Vaidya
Area: 3,500sq-ft
Contractors: Shivam Furniture
Air-Conditioning: Air Design HVAC
Project estimate: Rs1,500/sq-ft