Amidst the bustling chaos of Ahmedabad’s old city, a name has not only flourished but has also woven its presence into the fabric of homes across India. Gulab Oil, a flourishing enterprise spanning three generations, is poised to reach new heights. Operating from the heart of the old city, Gulab oils is now on a mission to expand its team. The House of Gulab, a 2100 sq. ft. warehouse, features a construction of 4″ thick traditional exposed brick, embodying the essence of the legacy it carries.
The team of Gulab Oil expands their horizon in Gujarat in a rustic charm | Design Khidkee
The design philosophy behind this space revolves around multi-functionality. Stepping into the narrow lanes of the old city, one is greeted by the imposing sight of a high exposed brick wall adorned with bold black letters spelling out ‘HOUSE OF GULAB.’ This deliberate impact sets the tone for what follows. The open floor plan concept is meticulously curated, aligning offices and conference areas along the walls, while the central space remains open for recreational activities.
Passing through the gates of HOG (House of Gulab), one’s first encounter is with flawless, elegant gheruha- coloured oxide flooring that harmonizes with the walls. The central space features transparent fluted walls on the sides, ensuring the flow of natural light. Green partitions demarcate the functional zones seamlessly. The intricately designed reception desk, crafted with metal and wood, welcomes visitors with attention to fine details.
The central space is visually segmented into three parts: the bottom left is a breakout zone with a high bar and an exposed brick wall that resembles a work of art. The top left houses an open pantry with hues of olive green and metal, complete with a dine-out bench. This area is strategically designed, serving as the focal point for maximum Gulab Oils activity. The top right is a lounge area furnished with extra comfortable custom sofas in neutral tones of grey.
Preserving the height of the space to emphasize volume, the corrugated roof is designed in a conventionally non-conventional manner, featuring skylights at regular intervals. To the right of the entrance is a spacious conference room for 30 people, boasting a 20-foot-long table with a paper veneer finish and metal legs. The MD cabin adheres to principles of minimalism and modernism.
The office space is arranged with a centrally aligned desk surrounded by greens at the back and an exposed brick wall as a backdrop. Workstations echo the same vibe with wooden desks, metal panels cum storage, and semi-transparency to the central area. Although the space lacks windows at eye level, the higher warehouse windows function as passive coolers.
This curated space seamlessly transitions from a functional office during the day to a lively breakout zone in the evening for the entire Gulab Oils team. The design concept masterfully blends raw and rustic elements with a touch of elegance, reflecting the brand’s unique identity.
FACT FILE
Firm Name: Design Khidkee
Project Type : Office Interiors
Project Name : House of Gulab
Location : Kalupur, Ahmedabad
Year Built : 2023
Duration of project : 3 Months
Project Size : 2100 sq ft
Project Cost : 35 lakh
Principal Designer’s : Ar Tanvi Jain, Ar Arham Jain, Ar Avisha Shah, Ar Suhas Chaudhari
Team Design Credits: Usha Khatri
Photograph Courtesy : Arpit Nathvani
Firm’s Website Link : Design Khidkee
Firm’s Instagram Link : Design Khidkee
This home exudes warmth with earth tone interior design. The client, an Indian national doctor based in Jamaica, had a clear vision for his dream home in Bangalore. He wanted a plush residence that would serve as a warm and welcoming haven for his family of three, as they relocated to India. The client’s requirements […]
A 6,500-square-foot house in a peaceful Hyderabad neighbourhood tells a story through arches in interior design, light, shadow, texture, and time rather than words. Meghana Nimmagadda founded the award-winning boutique design studio Designtales, which is responsible for this most recent residential project. Designtales is well-known for its intensely individualised approach to interior design. They create […]
A 3-bedroom apartment with beige interiors hosts a Maharashtrian couple and their two daughters as its residents. The home’s main boast is its huge, full-height windows that let in ample sunlight – a fact which later became a key guiding point in designing the interior space. With Beige Interiors, This Apartment Unfolds Comfort | Agneya […]
The project with wooden interior represents more than just interior design; it was about creating an emotional bridge between two worlds. Kerala’s rich architectural heritage, with its emphasis on natural materials, intricate wooden craftsmanship, and connection to nature, needed to be thoughtfully translated into a modern urban context without losing its authentic character. Gandhi understood […]
Nestled within one of Chennai’s most sought-after and affluent neighbourhoods, The Chic Sanctuary is a quiet luxury style 2025 sq. ft. apartment that stands as a serene and stylish oasis amidst the vibrant energy of the city. Designed with a strong sense of modern sophistication and understated luxury, this home masterfully balances aesthetics with functionality, […]
In a city that rarely sleeps, this house finds calm with neutral interiors. Nestled in the buzzing heart of Mulund, Mumbai, lies a serene sanctuary where design speaks in hushed tones and emotions find form in monochrome whispers. “Whispers of White”, a residential project by Disha Maniyar, principal designer of The Next Step Interiors, is […]
In a city constantly balancing between the fast-paced and the familiar, this serene apartment for Gurjar family in Mulund unfolds like a quiet retreat. Titled The Woven Story, this 4BHK apartment was envisioned as a coming together of different individualities, tastes, and styles, an interior narrative that acknowledges contrast yet seeks cohesion. The brief was […]
The Jade House is a celebration of green interiors through colour, texture, and thoughtful functionality. A home where every design element has been carefully curated to reflect the personality of its residents while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic. Named after the precious jade stone, the home takes inspiration from its lush green tones, which appear gracefully […]
Tucked away in a bustling Bangalore neighbourhood, Anubhav is more than just a home—it’s a feeling, an experience. Designed for a young couple from Assam with a modern eye and a deep love for the arts, this 1500 sq. ft. three-bedroom apartment captures the essence of boho interior design through farmhouse chic living with a […]
When a client from Mumbai’s eastern suburbs—a quiet father-son duo, one of whom is a budding musician—approached us to design their home, it set the stage for a poetic confluence of two creative disciplines: architecture and music. It’s always a rare pleasure when design engages in dialogue with another form of cultural expression, and in […]