Manoj Patel Design Studio’s new office brims with character

Bold polychromatic expanses and art convey a vibrant and youthful visual experience inside Manoj Patel Design Studio’s new workspace in Vadodara.

Curated by: Rupali Sebastian
Photographs: MK Gandhi Studio; courtesy Manoj Patel Design Studio 

The site

Surrounded by a dense urban fabric, Manoj Patel Design Studio’s new workspace spreads over a plot area of 1,350 sq ft. The design revolves around a play of volumetric masses juxtaposed with colourful graphics. 

The design intent

“The main idea,” says Manoj Patel of his new office, “was to create a space with an experiential material palette that could be touched, felt and understood in detail.” 

The spatial flow

At the entry gateway, you are greeted by bold artworks on the compound wall, rendered from clay tiles, stone work and colours. Step inside, and you see an amphitheatre with a bespoke feature wall. This is a scene of get-togethers, and becomes a place for experiments, learning and sharing ideas.

A giant translucent metallic door opens into the main office space, where an elongated spatial arrangement of the reception area and an informal waiting space set against a mural featuring delicate clay hangings is the first functionality you encounter. 

The ground floor features a triple-height activity pocket (deployed in a corner) with 3D metal murals and clay modules on the perpendicular wall. You can visually sense this connectivity through barrier-free openings. The facade of this soaring volume displays handcrafted material details, wherein strips of vernacular materials are oriented to form changing floral forms.

The first floor features a waiting lounge, bearing unique combinations of organic shapes, neutral colours and curved graphics on wall. Other functionalities are arranged as open and enclosed pockets around the lounge. The principal architect’s cabin nearby also doubles up as a conference area. 

The next two floors house work areas. A bridge with double-height connections for these floors increases interactivity between fellow teammates. The last two floors serve as the relaxation zone for the staff as well as a space to introduce clients to technologies and design ideas. The smart kitchen, that is also accommodated on this floor, extends into a green terrace garden. 

Fact file

Project: Manoj Patel Design Studio Office
Location: Vadodara
Area: 1,350 sq ft (plot area); 4,500 sq ft (built-up)
Principal architect: Manoj Patel
Design team: Aishwarya Gupte, Bhavik Shah, Prachi Dubey, Pooja Jangid, Bhumi Patel, Maria Vahora and Shraddha Gharte
Clay tiles craftsmanship: Dinesh Prajapati and Team
Structural engineer: Swati Consultants