This diamond factory in Surat wields greenery to a refreshing effect

Kritnam Atelier go the tropical way by making lush plants and sunlight an important part of this workspace’s narrative.

Curated by: Rupali Sebastian
Photographs: Pratikruti; courtesy Kritnam Atelier

The site

The 4,380-sq-ft site is located in a busy commercial district in Surat. The design team was handed an existing civil structure with a finished floor.

The brief

Maintenance free was the mantra. The client emphasised the need for interior fitments that didn’t need too much upkeep. Raw finishes and indoor landscape was also mentioned on the wishlist.

The design intent

The core idea of the built environment was to bring it back to nature. “The design philosophy is a blend of rustic theme, based on the idea of living with nature. Our client is deeply involved in the diamond industry, but apart from being down to earth and an art lover, he is also connected with nature,” reveals Maher Desai of Kritnam Atelier.

The spatial configuration

The office comprises a public zone (reception area and waiting zone), a semi-public zone (executive area and conference) and a private zone (two production areas). The two former areas make up a central block, which is flanked on either side by the production areas.

The material palette

Materials finishes used in this space are holistically raw and matt. All partitions are designed with a wood-finish 9mm-thick PVC modular panel which is directly fixed to an aluminium frame structure. All furniture elements are crafted with powder-coated metal and finished with suede finish laminate. Seating elements are finished with fabric leather. The artwork is inspired by dispersion of light, when it travels through a diamond and separates into spectral hues.

The highlights

The focal point of the space is the informal waiting lounge area which is planned with an indoor landscape. Upon entering the premises, you are greeted by abundant sunlight that energises the greenscape. Sitting here engenders the feeling of relaxing in a park. The vinyl floor surface gives a seamless visual and maintains the spaciousness of the whole area.

The challenges

‘We will shift the office but keep the diamond work going’ — was the directive given by the client. “So, we sat down with the client and prepared an individual department-wise list detailing on which date each function would be shifted,” says Maher. “In a nutshell, we started the work by taking care of the minutest of details. We had two months in hand for concept designing to execution — and we managed to complete the project in 45 days,” smiles Maher.