This project came to our studio in 2018 as a refurbishment, extension & interior modification project. A single storey old house on a plot size of 50’ x 80’ that was being used as an office building. The entrance patio was the reception, bedrooms were meeting/discussion/conference rooms and the store room worked as server room. The brief was to rework the interior & add one floor to function as extra workspace and a cafeteria. However when we did a structural assessment of the building, it was discovered that the slabs rested on columns, there were no beams! The decision to bring down the old building and construct a new one was taken.
An office building charting its way to a sound working ambience | ma+rs
The design process led us to some pivotal questions. Why are office buildings in India/tropical context a certain type mimicking the glazed facades of the west? Why are the designs/facades of these buildings so ubiquitous? Why are office buildings never climate/context responsive? Why are the choices for materials always driven by what’s swankier?
The 50’ x 80’ plot is landlocked on two sides by residences and a commercial building on the third. The front faces a service road attached to the outer ring road with a green buffer in between. The approach for the architecture of this building is a response to its surroundings. It is the reinterpretation of the forms of living, of the domestic in its built form and blend in to create a cohesive environment.
The biggest challenge in institutional spaces like this one is the demanding equation of the diverse flows that cohabit within it on a daily basis. To manage within a spatial order the building has been divided into three volumes – public, private & collective.
It was necessary to completely redefine the spatiality inside the building to meet the new program and all the functional aspects of the company. The basement and ground house public programs like parking, reception & visitor waiting area.
The first and second floor were allocated to staff areas, workspaces, discussion rooms. The third floor houses the collective functions like cafeteria & a multipurpose room. The terrace acts as a decompression area with an amphitheater nestled within an urban garden.
The building structure, a slab-beam-pillar system with stiffening cores, which allows for great flexibility in use and characterizes the appearance of the new building. The facades are designed differently according to their orientation.
The sides & the rear facades, the most sensible thing was to separate them from their adjoining neighbors and have only strategic openings for light & ventilation. The front however is punctured completely with a grid of windows.
The windows are setback by 600mm into the floor plate. The displacement in plan thus giving us space to build planters all along the front of each floor. It’s rational to recognize the context that it sits in and responds to by creating a second skin to the building which reduces the heat hitting the glazed façade.
Fact File
Designed by: ma+rs
Project Type: Office Architecture & Interior Design
Project Name: Grid
Location: Bangalore
Year Built: 2023
Duration of the project: 3 Years
Plot Area: 4000 Sq.ft
Built-up Area: 15000 Sq.ft
Project Cost: 5 Crore
Principal Architects: Ar. Anisha Menon & Ar. Sabyasachi Routray
Design Credits: Ar. Indulekha Paul
Photograph Courtesy: studio suryan//dang
Products / Materials / Vendors: Finishes – Exposed concrete ceiling and Structure / Doors and Partitions – Merino (toilet doors), Kubix (Internal glass partitions) / Sanitaryware – Jaquar / Windows – ALUK Furniture – IKEA, BOSQ & Featherlite / Paint – Asian Paints / Hardware – Hafele, Hettich, OzoneConsultants for the Project: Landscape Architects – Sreedevi Mohan / MEP & HVAC Consultants – Yash Consultants / Structure Engineers – Radins Engineers / Contractors – Solid Ground Constructions Pvt. Ltd
Firm’s Website Link: ma+rs
Firm’s Instagram Link: ma+rs
Firm’s Facebook Link: ma+rs
For Similar Project >>> The Connection Between Internal And External In Nahid Office And Commercial Building
Nestled within Prakriti Farms, this residence epitomizes rustic farmhouse interior design charm and a deep connection with the natural world. Its elegance lies in its emphasis on elemental materials and its seamless integration with the surrounding landscape. With three bedrooms and a spacious living area, the home was strategically designed in an L shape to […]
House of Heights: How design shapes relationships and well-being? “A house can transform its people. The living room, the tallest space in my home, is where we socialize, express our feelings, and spend the most time—an open arena for life’s conversations. The impact of front elevation design on home and harmony further emphasizes how thoughtful design […]
Spacious, inviting, and intimate, courtyards have an integral place in the vernacular architecture across India. Beyond their climatic purposes, courtyards assume the role of a social space, a space for contemplation, and a space where something happens. Their presence in various forms, proportions, and sizes has been a ubiquitous feature in Indian vernacular architecture. The […]
Located in Bangalore, opposite a large neighborhood park, a set of 4 houses was to be built—one of which was to be the personal house for the client, and the others were to be let out. The intent of these Bangalore homes was to create a quiet presence on the street and evoke a sense of […]
The modern residence integrates contemporary architecture with biophilic design principles, offering a luxurious and nature-connected living experience. The exterior features clean lines, landscaped lawns, and vertical green walls that soften the structure while promoting sustainability. The minimalist contemporary interior designs of this are designed with an open-plan layout, double-height ceilings, and large glass openings, ensuring […]
Some homes are big on square footage but don’t maximize space—and then some compact ones make the most of precious space at a premium. Located in Bangalore, this 3,000 sq. ft. villa interior design exemplifies this residential project, exploring staggered volumes that led to creating spaces at multiple levels, including a mezzanine floor. As per […]
In the heart of Gurugram, where the city’s energy pulses with both hard work and hard play, a 2600 sq. ft. rooftop terrace design has been transformed into the ultimate hangout spot. Designed for the young and the young at heart, this terrace captures the spirit of a city that knows how to balance the […]
In the vibrant town of Kannur, Kerala, the contemporary house design of this residence is more than a home—it’s a sanctuary designed to nurture both body and soul. Built for a family of five, it blends minimalist elegance with everyday comfort, creating a space that feels alive, welcoming, and deeply connected to nature. Editor’s Note: […]
The one-acre site of Saukhya Farm is nestled in the lush valley of Beze Village, on the outskirts of Nashik. Surrounded by small farms, it offers sweeping views of Beze Dam and the surrounding hills. The clients’ brief was to transform the site into a farmhouse and to cultivate part of it into an orchard. Work […]
Nestled on the bustling Karnavati Road in Ahmedabad, this modern residence spans over a 10,881 sq. ft. corner plot, seamlessly integrating form, function, and tranquility. The house is thoughtfully planned in an L-shaped configuration of this house design, with its entry oriented to the east and a lush garden strategically placed in the southwest corner […]