Bathed in natural light and rooted in thoughtful intent, the new extension of the architectural office of ARA Designs Studio embodies a quiet elegance. It is an open plan office space born not just out of necessity, but of vision — a continuation of a story already unfolding one floor below. For the team, this expansion was deeply personal. They sought to preserve the spirit of their original office while evolving into a more open, collaborative environment. “Designers imagined this new level as a breath of fresh air — one that invites interaction, nurtures creativity, and amplifies the sense of community, replacing the earlier space that held structure and intimacy.”0
This Open Plan Office Invites Interaction And Nurtures Creativity | ARA Designs
Someone rooted the brief in simplicity and clarity. There was a desire for calm — a visual and spatial serenity that would allow design thinking to take centre stage in this open plan office. “The designers pared down the aesthetic language to its essentials: wood and white.”
These two elements form the foundation of the material and colour palette, with warm timber bringing in an organic softness, and white providing a neutral canvas against which ideas can unfold. “The designers made every choice here — be it the materiality, spatial planning, or subtle textures — to support a balance between focused work and fluid exchange.”
Drawing from nature and the rhythm of travel, the design of this open plan office reflects a wabi-sabi sensibility. There is beauty in imperfection and authenticity in the tactile choices. Terrazzo flooring made from real cement adds earthy character beneath the foot. Birch ply sculpted into a striking parametric installation anchors the entrance.
This central installation isn’t just an aesthetic gesture; it is functional, forming the reception area, collaborative seating, and extended work tables. Its presence is commanding yet soft, built from half-inch birch ply sheets carefully stacked and assembled on site, its fluid form setting the tone for the entire office.
The open-plan layout is equally deliberate. “As you enter, the expansive space draws your eye to every corner — nothing hides, and no cubicle confines.” Tables line the periphery near windows, reserved for senior architects who benefit from both quietude and daylight. At the heart lies the collaborative zone, where teams come together to ideate, sketch, and build.
To the left, a conference room becomes the forum for client reviews and presentations, adjacent to a discreet pantry and dining space. On the right, a private cabin for Amey and Pooja Dahanukar offers a quiet retreat — part studio, part sanctuary — for deeper work and strategic discussions. “Amey’s design for the limestone-crafted work desks reflects their honest tactile relationship with the material.”
Textures are subtly layered to add depth without distraction. Walls and ceilings share a unified texture, achieved with soft, tactile paint that blurs the boundary between surfaces. The ceilings, treated with the same care as walls, offer continuity — a quiet backdrop that allows design thinking and materials to resonate more strongly.
Sustainability was approached with the same understated intentionality. The floor plate is lined with large windows that wash the space in daylight, minimizing the need for artificial lighting during work hours. There is no decorative clutter — greenery is the only adornment. Plants, carefully placed, are both biophilic and pragmatic, reinforcing the natural material palette while improving air quality and ambience.
Though there were no major setbacks, the challenge was in restraint. Being designers themselves, the temptation to push boundaries is ever-present. Yet, the team chose to stay grounded, favouring timelessness over trend. Every element, from the terrazzo floors to the custom carpentry, was made bespoke — crafted with care, designed to endure. Only the chairs and computers were sourced externally; everything else was born from their vision, down to the last joint and grain.
What makes this space sing is not any single object but its wholeness — its spirit. The transparency of the layout, the softness of the materials, and the generous light. Yet, if one were to choose a favourite, it might be the parametric design that greets each visitor: sculptural yet seamless, artistic yet utterly usable. It is a distillation of everything this space represents — precision, purpose, and the poetic beauty of natural materials brought to life.
Fact File
Designed by: ARA Designs
Project Type: Office Interior Design
Project Name: ARA Designs Studio
Location: Santacruz, Mumbai
Year Built: June 2024
Project Size: 2000 Sq.ft
Principal Designer: Amey Dahanukar
Photograph Courtesy: Talib Chitalwala
Styling Credits: Samir Wadekar
Firm’s Instagram Link: ARA Designs
For Similar Project >> The Office Space Promotes Functional Work Environment
Project 774 House is a thoughtful exploration of how compact spaces can feel layered, immersive, and deeply personal. Designed as a seamless blend of warmth, functionality, and character, the home balances aesthetics with practicality while ensuring every space carries its own identity within a cohesive design language. The Compact Spaces In This Home Are Designed […]
Crafted by Studio Imagine under the thoughtful direction of Principal Architect Ar. Ajal Shah, this 5bhk home design unfolds as a seamless interplay of light, texture, and refined materiality. Each space balances warmth with contemporary precision, weaving sculptural details, muted palettes, and bespoke elements into a home that feels both elevated and intimately personal. Studio […]
Sophisticated Serenity reflects House of Lalittya’s signature design philosophy. It expresses quiet luxury through Japanese minimalism, Scandinavian warmth, architectural comfort, and refined materiality. Conceived as an expansive open-plan residence, the 4,500 sq. ft. home is located at DLF Magnolias on Golf Course Road, Gurugram. Thoughtfully transformed into a serene urban sanctuary, it balances clean lines, […]
In the pulsating heart of Gujarat, India, where the shimmer of the ‘Diamond City’ meets the rich tapestry of the ‘Silk City’, Surat has preserved its legacy of craftsmanship across generations. Amidst the precision of diamond cutters and the rhythmic hum of textile looms, the homeowners’ story began. They were not merely entrepreneurs but inheritors […]
Perched on the ninth floor of a high-rise apartment in Pune, this 1,600 sq. ft. apartment opens to sweeping views of the city’s tekdi, the tree-lined hills that define its horizon. For its owners, a lawyer couple with demanding careers and a shared love for travel, the view was the home’s greatest luxury. For the […]
This home is a thoughtful expression of the modern interior design style, infused with creative and personalised touches that make it both distinctive and inviting. Every material, colour, and finish has been carefully curated to achieve a sense of timelessness, with a clear emphasis on balance and harmony. The muted colour palette seamlessly extended across […]
When it comes to enhancing the kitchen window over the sink, various design ideas are possible to decorate Indian homes. From rooted in tradition to Western-style modular kitchens offer both functionality and attractive aesthetics. Apart from the sleek profile and raised breakfast counter, the kitchen window over sink is another spot to add appeal and […]
Indian homes place equal importance on pooja room door designs as they do on main door designs. With diverse and unique ethnic backgrounds, every family strives to reflect their personalities and identities in their designs. These identities can encompass religious or spiritual interests, local contexts, or other personal elements. This series of blogs, featuring 50 […]
Let’s dive into a brand new topic – sliding wardrobe design, where functionality meets modern style! Whether you want to add a sleek, contemporary touch to your room or an Indo-fusion design aesthetic, sliding wardrobe can make a perfect choice to optimize space. In this post, we’ll delve into the latest trends on sliding wardrobe […]
The door design for main door is a defining feature of any Indian home, embodying both style and cultural significance. In a country rich with diverse architectural traditions, the entrance to your home reflects not only personal taste but also cultural heritage. Whether you’re drawn to the intricate carvings of traditional Indian door designs or […]