Designed by Parekh Architects, this 450 sq ft modern office space for a structural engineer reflects the fine-tuned details of raw materials coming together. The resultant is a space that narrates the client’s profession both structurally and metaphorically. To respond to the brief and the close-fit area available, we’ve organised the spaces sequentially to facilitate the client’s privacy. We realise this through a slide-flip open partition, which converts the main office space into a spread-out workspace.
This Modern Office Space For A Structural Engineer Reflects Fine Details | Parekh Architects
The tactile experience of the surfaces varies from that of rough, rusted industrial Corten steel to warm layers of wood. It opens up a scale-to-medium dialogue between the unconventionally used materials for interior design and the conventional ones utilised for building construction.
The entrance space drives through a paraphernalia of coarse materials that differentiates and frames the view of the further interior spaces. The lighting here runs through the corrugation embedded within the walls and ceiling, achieved by rhythmic inserts of fluted polycarbonate sheets that harmonise with the crest and trough of the raw cement sheets. The display and seating design hint at the structural forces effective as tension and compression. We make the structure of the seating surface from FRP grating, continuing vertically to form a partition. Meanwhile, we cast the base of the support system in concrete with reinforcement bars that jut out as a typical structural foundation detail for columns.
The backdrop to the staff area features a wall studded with infographics that detail the technicalities of structural design. The desks are fabricated to dilute the space with simple aesthetics. Meanwhile, the storage shutters mimic the metallic touch through metal laminates. The exposed ceiling throughout the space unveils the structure in its entirety.
Divided through a fluted glass sliding partition, the main office space brings in warmth through wood walls. Residual polycarbonate sheets were riveted together and effectively designed into a hanging light that dissipates soft light while becoming a sculptural feature in the space.
Crafted from salvaged Corten steel sheets, we create full-length storage on the adjacent wall. Holes through these sheets allow the insertion of pegs, using the surface of these shutters to pin ideas. Tensioned cables suspend the display shelves.
The shape of the tabletop is derived from Fibonacci spirals and realised with brushed stainless-steel sheets that are riveted together, adding to the subtle set of details.
We carefully fabricated a subtle interplay between high-endurance materials such as concrete, reinforcement bars, and FRP, alongside delicate ones like acrylic and glass, through a thoughtfully designed process. The other half of the office space is articulated to be simple and straightforward. Thus leading to a riveted steel desk for the owner. Natural light touching and bouncing off surfaces creates the overall ambiance of the office. Thereby bringing warmth to the otherwise cold materials.
Fact File
Designed by: Parekh Architects
Project Type: Office Interior Design
Project Name: Raw Box
Location: Navratna Corporate Park, Ahmedabad
Year Built: 2023
Plot Area: 450 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Ar. Pal Parekh
Team Design Credits: Ar. Pal Parekh & Devashish Pandya
Photograph Courtesy: The Space Tracing Company
Firm’s Instagram Link: Parekh Architects
For Similar Project >> An Office Space That Broke The Norm Of Modernism And Embraced A Natural Aesthetic
The Varnam Edit is a deeply personal 3,000 sq. ft. south Indian home design residence located in Adarsh Premia, Banashankari, Bangalore. It is designed by Swati Seraan and her team at By The Riverside for a remarkable mother-daughter duo, Mrs. Bhagya Devi and Ms. Kavya. This South Indian Home Design Is An Epitome Of Comfort […]
In a quiet pocket of Mumbai, within the city’s layered urban fabric, an ancestral home long remembered has found its way into the present. Architect Rajesh Atha Studio’s latest 1,200-square-foot residential project introduces Hindustani Hygge, a design philosophy that reinterprets ancestral spatial principles like the aangan and verandah for contemporary apartment living. Travel A Journey […]
In a world increasingly shaped by aesthetic algorithms and ephemeral trends, Nostalgia offers an introspective counterpoint with its humble design. Designed by Swathy Sivaraman of Storeyboard Design, this villa emerges not as a showpiece but as a soul-space — a dwelling where memory, material, and meaning intertwine with rare subtlety. Rather than chase spectacle, the […]
Studio KNest had the privilege of designing a divine house in the sacred town of Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh—an experience both humbling and awe-inspiring. Our client, a Krishna devotee from the USA, wanted to capture Vrindavan’s spiritual essence explicitly within his second home. We, too, thus shared the vision and have tried to portray the rich […]
“Cascade 301” draws its name from the natural, uninterrupted movement of water — a symbol of fluidity, grace, and continuous transition. Inspired by the fluid rhythm, this tranquil home embodies seamless spatial transitions and understated elegance. Designed as a sanctuary within the city, this multigenerational home balances private retreats with shared spaces, creating an atmosphere […]
A thoughtful exploration of how tradition can exist within the framework of minimalism, this residential apartment is where art doesn’t just beautify but defines the architecture itself. Guided by the core theme of ‘Indian traditional aesthetic with a minimal contemporary approach’, the interiors reflect a seamless integration of cultural depth and modern restraint in its […]
Designed for a young couple whose tastes gracefully oscillate between Indian ethnic charm and contemporary minimalism, this 3BHK duplex, adorned with patterns and textures, is as unique as it is intentional. Their offbeat hobbies and vibrant lifestyle called for thoughtful zoning and nuanced customisation — not just a house, but a home that mirrors their […]
Evara was born from a vision to create a home that feels like a pause button in the midst of an ever-moving city. Rooted in the calming essence of nature and the free-spirited character of bohemian style, this 1500 sq. ft. residence was imagined as a retreat. It is a place where every corner whispers […]
The entrance foyer sets the first impression of the Vastu home Chandradev residence, carefully designed to embody both warmth and sophistication. The palette here draws inspiration from earthy stone textures paired with subtle golden accents, creating a welcoming yet refined ambience. Italian marble with soft veining finishes the flooring, lending a sense of elegance while […]
Located in the heart of Hiranandani Estate, Thane, Samatvam is a thoughtfully designed 3BHK residence designed by ANS Design House. The home strikes a perfect balance between earthy elegance and modern sophistication. Envisioned by Principal Interior Designer Shivangi Shahane Phanse and Ar. Amit N. Phanse, the space seamlessly integrates natural elements with a modern aesthetic, creating […]