Soft colours and fresh greens create a calming oasis at this Mumbai office

Neha Kachhara Interiors designs a multifunctional soothing office for KWADS Capital in Mumbai.   

Curated by: Deepa Nair
Photographs: Studio Colourblind; courtesy Neha Kachhara Interiors

The brief

Neha Kachhara Interiors was assigned by Karan Gandhi of KWADS Capital to design an office which is functionally active and a soothing oasis for him and his staff — to suit their high pressure work which was time-bound, and hence kept them glued to their screens. The 1,400-square-foot space which was handed over to Neha was distributed in four individual office units in a commercial building at Vikroli in Mumbai, all overlooking a lush mangrove patch.

The design intent

The four units were combined to create a large space that accommodated multifunctional spaces with private formal areas within the office. Focusing on how the office intended to work, Neha configured the floor plan with a modern sensibility to allow for a better flow from room to room. Strategically created partitions were introduced for visual connections and a sense of expansiveness that the usual office space misses. The colours and details of the office focus on bringing tranquillity and subtlety. The overall white space with warm timber, and minus any colour was a conscious decision which allowed the design team an opportunity to experiment with textures and materials.

The spatial configuration

The office seats only five employees which allowed the design team to be generous with the space. Hence, the layout was formulated keeping in mind openness and to let in maximum natural light. The placement of the cabin and conference room are near the windows with clear glass partitions and a defined solid wood with bent glass partitions respectively.

One enters into the waiting area which has a high table in the centre that doubles up as a standing desk. The curved wall in the foyer leads to the conference room and the wooden ribbed screen gives a glimpse of the main cabins and staff area. The central arch leads one to the pantry. The director’s cabin is placed at a focal point not only in terms of design but also to facilitate easy workflow — the capsule opens on either side allowing direct communication with the employees. The director also has a direct connect to the reading nook which was created as a distressing zone for the employees.

The design and material details

To demarcate the entrance and reception from the rest of the office, ribbed solid wood partitions were created; this also helps in creating a feeling of openness in the entire office. In the director’s cabin the main desk is finished in PU, while the six-seater in the conference room was customised with a black terrazzo top, with legs finished in veneer. The walls of the conference room is clad in a leather panel not just to add glamour to the space, but also for acoustic reasons.

The bathroom has been designed with elements that are luxurious. A customised vanity counter is made out of marble with mosaic tiles on the wall. Potted plants are kept at strategic positions all around the office to add a burst of colour and warmth to the space.

Fact file

Project: KWADS Capital – An office with soul
Client: Karan Gandhi
Location: Vikhroli, Mumbai
Area: 1,400 sq ft
Principal designer: Neha Kachhara
Design team: Rajesh Parmar and Indrajeet Singh