This Chennai office has an inspiring green design

Empatio Architecture’s design for an apparel brand is a reflection of the company’s sustainable values and culture, from macro and micro levels.

Curated by: Deepa Nair
Photographs: Yash R Jain; courtesy Empatio Architecture 

The site

Empatio Architecture, headed by architect Chandhana Ramesh, was assigned by a well-known apparel manufacturing company to design their headquarters in Chennai. Housed within a 30-year-old linear building, this 10,700-square-foot space has a longer axis of about 100 ft along its east-west side, and shorter axis along the north-south direction. The structural glazing covering the entire eastern facade is the primary source of natural light for this office, while its western wall is shared with the company’s warehouse.

The design intent

“The idea was to create an exciting office space with a lively welcoming theme that meets the company’s energy and inspires its staff and customers with a fresh look. In addition to these, we wanted the space to reflect the company’s sustainable values and culture,” explains Chandana.

The spatial configuration

The design team first created a spatial flow that coordinated well with each other, yet maintained necessary boundaries. This resulted in a private zone for the executives, an open and interactive space for the staff, and a lobby space for vendor meetings. The pantry area extends as an effective discussion area for fewer people, for quick conversations over coffee. The vendor meeting rooms at the entrance are airy, open spaces with light furniture and uninterrupted views of the garden below.

The design and material details

The entrance is marked by a bold perforated metal archway featuring the company colour (blue) — this creates an inspiring brand statement, besides welcoming their customers and employees. The collaborative spaces made with perforated steel matches that of the main entrance maintaining visual connectivity without breaking the openness of the space. The polished grunge-pattern cement flooring and raw wood grain texture on the furniture contrast against the elements of vibrant green used throughout the design. “The abundance of green elements and greenery spread throughout the space blends with the natural landscape outside, integrating it. It is an embodiment of the concept of embracing new exciting ideas while the shades of blue in the space represent commitment and bond between the staff and the company,” says Chandana.

Circular elements used in all scales: from large archways and wall panelling to small handles, perforation patterns, light fixtures, and stickering patterns, were an intentional addition creating a sense of softness through geometry, and breaking away from the monotony of straight lines.

The executive wing starts with a wooden alcove space holding the assistant area. Furniture becomes the main design element in executive spaces with rich and bold tones of reclaimed wood complementing the neutral tones of grey and white. Meeting rooms are positioned away in locations that ensure complete focus and privacy. The conference room is fitted with a double-glazed panel for better acoustical privacy and its table is made from reclaimed wood with epoxy inlays and bold cylindrical steel legs aligning aesthetically with the rest of the space.

The MD’s room was designed keeping in mind his long working hours. A combination of clean modern lines, deep colours, and a touch of traditional elements are primarily used to personalise this space. Personal reading corners naturally lit with cushion seating near the bookshelf, height-adjustable workstation for flexible working, a lounge-like seating arrangement, and a large personal bathroom in rustic finishes — are created for his comfort. The warm and inviting terracotta tones and its complimenting material elements in the MD’s room allow the space to stand from the rest of the office.

Photograph: Phosart Studio

The sustainability features

The workspace utilises the natural ceiling height to attain an open, spacious feel and receives ample daylight. The eastern glass facade is fitted with a second layer of UV glass and an air gap in between to provide insulation, thereby reducing the AC load and power consumption. The western wall is opened at the top to bring in indirect natural lighting. The focus on sustainability is applied from macro to micro scale, with elements like table-tops made of reclaimed wood and accent lights, pin-up boards and workstation pinups furnished with left-over fabric from the factory. The latter elucidates a deeper connection between the staff and the company making the project, in its entirety, more personal and closer to heart.

Fact file

Project: The Apparel Office
Location: Special Economic Zone, Chennai
Area: 10,700 sq ft
Principal architect: Chandhana Ramesh
Design team: Palaniappan Muthu and Kumaresh
MEP consultant: Air Treatment Engineering Pvt Ltd
HVAC contractor: Krish Engineering Pvt Ltd
Electrical contractor: RV Electricals Pvt Ltd
Civil contractor: Vibhastructure Pvt Ltd