The site for the law firm Trilegal was interestingly located in the heritage Kala Ghoda precinct-also due to the proximity of the High Court. Considering that, we drew inspiration from the ambassador car lined Horniman Circle of the late seventies. An era when the area was largely pedestrian and spaciously parked cars hardly covered the beauty of the buildings in the roundabout.

A Purist Take on the Arched Colonnades Formed the Architectural Framework for this Law Firm Office | Tejal Mathur Design

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A purist take on the arched colonnades formed the architectural framework of the sections dividing the meeting rooms, client lounge and the private zones. Allowing the forms to dominate not too much intervention was required in the monolithic but silent scape that came to life with punctuated lighting, minimalistic artworks and custom clay pottery.

The third office for Trilegal occupies a 5000 sq.ft. space in the Forbes One building to house three meeting rooms, a client lounge and 50 lawyers plus partners.

It was a bare shell with waist high peripheral windows that went into partner cabins and meeting rooms. The clients wanted an interpretation of the Art Deco heritage feel considering the location and proximity to the High Court. A Client lounge that could be a relaxing chamber for those in between hearings and breaks.

Considering the office is inspired by the heritage precinct, how does modernism come into the picture?

The site was interestingly located in the heritage Kala Ghoda precinct due to the proximity of the High Court. The clients wanted to introduce that element into the design as well. As we mulled over which route to take, what we were sure about, was to abstain from the dark wood panelled chamber feel with over styling in classical elements and ornamentation. But it was imperative to yet reflect that school of thought in a meaningful enough way to respect the image meant to be conveyed even if in a restrained manner.

Considering that, we drew inspiration from the Ambassador car-lined Horniman circle of the late seventies. An era when the place was largely pedestrian and spaciously parked cars left enough room to enjoy the beauty of the buildings in the roundabout.

A purist take on the arched colonnades formed the architectural framework of the sections dividing the meeting rooms, client lounge and partner zones. ‘The point was to avoid layering in the form of mouldings, architraves and panelled walls and interpret the traditional forms as a line illustration- minimal but impactful and graphic. Allowing the arches to dominate, not too much intervention was required in the monolithic yet silent scape that came to life with punctuated lighting strips and soft globes suspended from ceiling roses.

Traditional forms that work on core principles have been adhered to and naked geometry stands out in a “modern”-canvas of largely undisturbed walls that curve gracefully in corners to lead the way much like a roundabout at an intersection. To enable us to help us render our creatives and execute the project as well we roped in Beyond Design Architects who have worked with us on Trilegal headquarters Mumbai earlier.

The Layout of the Office

As you go through a flute glass door reminiscent of erstwhile dispensaries with an oak grained circular handle you are greeted in a dimly lit reception with an open grid shelving filled with terracotta pottery. The flooring is a classic chequered in creams and greys. The lushness of caramel fluted walls in the client lounge tempt you to walk through an aisle replete with arches framing the meeting rooms. This is the quieter client interface area. Another vestibule behind the reception then leads you to a glass door beyond which is the open office area and peripheral partner cabins.

The Primary Colour and Colour Palette

Since we wanted to indicate a slice of the Art deco, we stuck to a creamier palette and light grained woods with trims and two toned walls in charcoal. Light pewters, clay and a more immersive Mulberry was picked as the reception backdrop with a honed terrazzo table in front.

How did you come up with the names of the meeting rooms?

We went back and forth with our client on this who supported our idea of naming them after the cities in which significant courts were instituted in the early days. Thus, Bombay Hall, Calcutta Hall and Madras Hall.

A ‘Hall’ is the public hearing room that is the main area of a courthouse and there can be several such rooms in a major building.

To enhance the comfort of a meeting room, we choose curtains on windows and 2 toned the walls to evolve the nostalgia of old offices. In the black plonked a classic stationery cupboard in gunmetal with remind you of the hurried clanking sounds in an old law firm that had a brass embossed name board outside the door and fans whirring over cloth bound files.

FACT FILE :

Designed by : Tejal Mathur Design

Project Type : Office Interiors

Project Name : Trilegal, Kala Ghoda (law firm)

Location : Kala Ghoda, Mumbai

Year Built : 2021

Duration of project : 3 months

Project Size: sq feet : 5000 sq.ft.

Principal Architect : Tejal Mathur

Team Design Credits : Beyond Design Architects (for execution)

Photograph Courtesy : Prashant Bhat Photography

Firm’s Website Link : Tejal Mathur Design

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Email Id (For any inquiry) : tejalmathur@team-design.in