The Breathing Office workspace | Tropical Architecture Bureau
The Breathing Office in Manjeri is a story subtly nestled in the process of being given illustrious shape to its space by the architects from the Tropical Architecture Bureau. This story is set deep in a tropic center of the world – Kerala. A place that immediately transports you to lazy days by long sandy beaches, the sounds of crashing waves, the tranquil backwaters, palms trees gaily waving their arms up in the humid breeze – a cove of solace. But in a city called Manjeri, in Malappuram, these attractions have taken a back seat to give way to concrete buildings, noisy roads, monotonous transport, and tired individuals who tug themselves and their lunchboxes to work in rows and rows of dull-colored buildings with tiny windows and no promising views – classic Taylorism.
Visit: Tropical Architecture Bureau
Offices, today, are rooted in the interaction of the employees – communication, coordination, conversation, etc. and the users must be consciously aware of their spatial context while engaging in these functions. To that end, the architects at TAB trusted in the power of unconventional and varied use of local materials and skilled labor. Work like this is physical proof that somebody has taken joy in beautifying a space for another and there is something so wholesome about the human touch.
The technical details lie within simple, achievable and more importantly, economical limits such that it serves as a prototype that maximizes human energy and efficiency in the workplace. The architectural elements together harmonies in warm tones of the exposed finish of metal, cement, and wood without becoming monotonous or visually strenuous by occasionally breaking it up with vibrant spots of bright colors, large-leafed plants, glass partitions and graphic signage’s.
The generous placement of greenery creates the oneness with nature which is absent in the center of the city and is a necessary requirement when advocating for sustainability. The use of glass has been used to admit ample daylight and create an apparent sense of large spatial scale and volumes. Since the crowd of employees is young, it keeps with modern themes unlike the conventional cooped up workstations in olden style offices.
There is a certain sense of transparency and personal connection between the users and the spaces, induced by the use of exposed raw materials. Brick and concrete are the two major materials and not having covered it up with cladding or plaster, portrays the building in its skeletal form and breathing with the users inside – as if it is still in the process of, itself, being a building.
The variation in textures, brought about by the diversity in materials, creates for a truly enriching spatial experience using all the sensory organs. One can see a range of colors in a unified palette but also run a hand on the cool hard concrete, the ridged bricks, the granular mortar in-between, the smooth leathery leaves, the ribbed wooden surfaces, satiny metals, and soft upholstery. The architects have, thus, painstakingly incorporated elements in the material spectrum, creating a unique and varied experience each time.
FACT FILE:
Project Name: The Breathing Office
Architecture Firm: Tropical Architecture Bureau
Completion Year: 2019
Gross Built Area: 4000sqft
Project Location: Manjeri, Kerala
Lead Architects: Ar.Uvais.k
Design Team: Uvais k,Anas,Ajmal,Subin,Rabeeh,Faiza,Aseeb,Amal
Clients: green spark infra Consultants Pvt. Ltd.
Engineering: green spark Pvt. ltd
Photo credits: Prasanth Mohan, Running Studios
There is a particular kind of challenge that comes with designing a space that must feel like a home, but isn’t one. A guest house sits in an interesting in-between. It needs the efficiency of a hotel, the warmth of a home, and an identity entirely its own. When the brief for Serenity Suites landed […]
Project Guru Prasad began with a simple yet nuanced brief — to design a home inspired by Japanese aesthetics while maintaining a minimal and grounded sensibility. The 3BHK apartment, spread across 1350 sq. ft. of carpet area, became an exploration of form, material, and composition. Inside the 3bhk Apartment Where Japanese Aesthetics Meet the Quiet […]
Some homes are designed around a view. This home is designed around a fleeting evening moment, when the Arabian Sea sky turns saffron, rust and plum. That daily transition shapes Sea Between Stories, a 3,500-square-foot Bandra West apartment by The Concreate Story for Shantanu Powle and Saily Lad. Arabian Sea Apartment in Bandra Frames Moments […]
In the Bustling neighbourhood of Oberoi Sky City, Borivali, Mumbai, Quiet Opulence unfolds as a refined 1,100 sq. ft. residence that celebrates the beauty of Understated luxury. A Square Designs created the home as an exploration of contemporary Sophistication enriched by timeless classical influences. The design brings together elegant, inviting, and deeply personal interiors. Rather […]
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 […]
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 […]
In Indian homes with dynamic spaces, identification of standard interior door dimensions can have a positive impact on space optimization. First impressions matter, right? Beyond spaces inside the homes, doors carry long-time impressions through various panel sizes, intricate details, and more. While most of us remember the material and design, we tend to forget the […]