Inside a Bhavnagar office characterised by sparseness and simplicity

Muted shades and minimalist decor are highlights of this compact office designed by Meranti.

Curated by: Deepa Nair
Photographs: Phosart Studio; courtesy Meranti

The site

Businessman Kunal Shah commissioned architect Ridhi Shah — who heads Ahmedabad-based design firm Meranti — to conceptualise an office space for him in a newly constructed commercial complex in Bhavnagar, Gujarat. Kunal wanted to use this 450-square-foot space as a second office for his personal office. The office space overlooks the main road and has a large east-facing window which brings in pronounced amount of natural light.

The brief

The client wanted an office which is functionally active, and is a soothing oasis for him. This project began with a vision to cater functionality over form, a contemporary design characterised by sparseness and simplicity.

The design intent

The architect’s approach to the brief was to create a minimalistic and muted space which is effortlessly elegant. Hence, calmer tones were incorporated to make the office look brighter and larger in scale. The colours and details of the space are intricately focused to bring tranquillity and subtlety… a contemporary office with an overlay of classic accents.

The spatial configuration

Located on the first floor, the office opens to the central courtyard of the building. A small passageway leads to the staff area with shared walls on both sides. The staff area overlooks the director’s cabin. The partitions and the storage spaces are seamless and carefully designed to have the optimum utilisation of the corners and offsets created by the beam and column. The hierarchy of spaces is based on the flow of activity — public, semi-private and private. To make this traditional linear office layout, the architect has added scatter ‘touchdown spaces’ through the office.

The design and material details

It’s the uncomplicated material palette of birch and plywood that distinguishes the office space and imbues it with a gentle warmth. The decor is in line with the rest of the place and has a minimalist feel with a strictly white and brown palette. The entire office comprises of bespoke furniture with intricately carved details to bring harmony, add a sense of lightness, poise and comfort. All the tables are designed with birchwood, veneer and laminate and are made to look sleek and composite. The director’s table is welcomed by an Italian marble top with the legs and frame finely carved out of birchwood. The ceiling is other striking element of the space, veneer carved in geometrical form.