The aim was to break the stereotype of office architecture and spaces, connecting the user with their surroundings. An office that is not just surrounded by landscape but a part of it which in turn blurs the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. The infinity stair sculpture at the end of the pathway personifies the motivation for the users to “achieve new heights every day.” The ‘Deceiving Dimensions’ reception table is an embodiment of different possibilities in the field of construction.
Editor’s Note: “The long rectilinear office space with organic forms in the landscape, creates a harmonious symphony to break the stereotypes of office architecture. The spatial planning merges with the landscape and blurs the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. Bathed in abundant natural light and surrounded by verdant foliage, the office exudes a revitalising ambience, inviting creativity and productivity to flourish within its walls.” ~Simran Khare
The Aim Was To Break The Stereotype Of Office Architecture And Spaces | Dot Dimension
The office designed by Dot Dimension is for the Avadh group of developers in the prime of Surat City. The design aimed to break the corporate stereotype of office spaces and connect the user with its surroundings. To achieve this, the footprint of the built mass was kept long and rectilinear, ensuring a continuous relationship between the spaces and the exterior. The surrounding groves became a key element of the project. They had to build the office within a strict time frame. To adhere to this the structure, there is a steel structural frame.
These systems provide organization and logic to the design which leads to quicker project construction and low maintenance. Workers premanufactured each building element and assembled them on the site. They construct the steel structure of posts and beams using simple joinery. This in turn helps in the reconstruction or addition of the office module hassle free. The floor-to-ceiling stained-glass partitions allow a connection with nature.
The resulting form of the building is a simple transparent glass cuboid with a pitched roof resting amidst a grove of trees, shading the building and allowing for views from all sides. A long linear passage connects the entire office, the shadows created by the vine covered pergolas make organic patterns on that passage at different times of the day, adding an intangible element to the design.
A deck from the center in the back connects the space into the wilderness. At night, the building appears as a jewel, reflecting and spreading all the light harnessed from the surroundings.
The interiors are done in raw and rustic tones using shades of brown and gray. With an approach towards minimalism, we have linear solid walls that house the toilet blocks, cladded with ash gray stucco, serving as the backdrop for all the workstations in the entire design. This prevents any visual disturbance in between the different work areas of the office.
We used solid wood for furniture and partitions. We inserted the interiors, including shelves, cabinets, and the restroom, along the short sides of the office space.
Designed the entire glass facade and overhangs while considering the building’s net heat intake. The landscape and openings of the built mass regulate the temperature and help reduce of HVAC usage.
There’s a sprinkler based irrigation system, which reduces the use of potable water. We use water-efficient plumbing systems and fixtures in all the washrooms.
Conceptualizing their new office space had an organic reaction of giving them the wall arts that reflect their work identities, ‘cityscapes’. We have taken some abstracts of the cityscapes that we see in our daily lives and still do not have an observant look at them. Like 1) ‘old building facades’ the articulated old heritage, 2) ‘topography’ of various undulating landscapes near us, 3) ‘plan view’ of the hustling bustling city we live in yet we don’t see the organic urban plan, 4) Nathdwara city map’ the most age old miniature planning of Nathdwara with Srinathji temple, which is vintage in the world of cityscapes and has been treasured generations after generations.
The artwork and its colour scheme break down the monochromatic palette of materials and help improve the work efficiency of the users.
Unlike the indoors, we keep the landscape organic in shape, creating a high contrast across the entire site. Artificial contours and tree plantations in the west cut down on direct sunlight. The indoor bonsai court divides yet connects the director’s cabin and lounge space.
This courtyard regulates the amount of natural daylight entering the executive workspace. The entire complex is surrounded by arica palms (east) and champa trees (west) with many native plant species, which not only beautify the site but also maintain CO2 levels and local temperatures.
We planted the vegetation to ensure that its height, the mound, ground covers, and foliage adhere to the light and ventilation requirements of the entire office.
Fact FileDesigned by: Dot Dimension
Project Name: Office in the groves
Project Type: Office Architecture & Interior Design
Location: Surat, Gujarat
Year Built: 2021
Project Size: 3100 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Ar. Sharmen Mehta & Ar. Heet Saliya
Photograph Courtesy: Umang Shah
Firm’s Instagram Link: Dot Dimension
For Similar Projects >> Workspace With Unique Curves That Add A Contemporary Vocabulary To The Office Design
The way we design spaces that people inhabit goes beyond mere functionality. It requires an intentional sensitivity to how each detail shapes the overall experience and interaction with the surrounding ecological context. Nestled in the suburban periphery of Nashik, the project occupies a 3700 sq. ft. plot located at the dead-end of a street, adjacent […]
Kerala style homes have courtyards surrounded by rooms on each side. Traditional Kerala-style homes have a central courtyard known as Nadumuttam surrounded by rooms. These homes promote natural light and ventilation according to the region’s climate. These homes, due to the feature of courtyards as their core spaces, offer beautiful opportunities for social gatherings. This […]
In a time when design is often reduced to trends, Yaahvi’s light design stands as a reminder of tactility, tradition, and craftsmanship. Founded by Nikita Bansal, who journeyed from Assam to the global design stage, champions a philosophy where contemporary aesthetics meet age-old Indian craftsmanship. In this exclusive interview, Nikita reflects on her early influences, […]
India, a nation bustling with innovation and a constant drive for progress, is increasingly embracing an unconventional yet incredibly promising architectural trend: container architecture. We are witnessing a fascinating transformation, as discarded shipping containers, once traversing the high seas laden with goods, now find new life as dynamic, sustainable, and surprisingly sophisticated living and working […]
This bungalow style house influences the site context and can be visualised in multiple facades of sharp edges & cuboidal form. Her,e salient features like U-Projection are an expression of the bench on a level one. The house divides itself into three bays. On the ground floor, where first bay acquire all public activities like […]
Imagine yourself on the terrace of your hidden mountain retreat, drinking a fresh cup of coffee as you admire the sunrise emerging from behind the rolling hills across the valley. This serene atmosphere is exactly what Hello Wood’s latest project, the Console House, is designed to offer. The Console House showcases modern architecture design while […]
As cities continue to grow and evolve, there is a growing desire to incorporate elements of rural living into urban design. By embracing rural living principles, cities can create more eco-friendly and sustainable spaces. Rural living is not just about wide-open spaces and rolling hills. It’s also about community, sustainability, and a connection to nature. […]
Located in the thriving city of Ichalkaranji, this is an example of luxury residences is a seamless blend of timeless elegance and modern sophistication. The striking exterior, adorned with brick and natural stone cladding, exudes warmth, character, and permanence. These rich textures create a visually captivating façade, harmonizing tradition with contemporary design while making a […]
Throughout history, stone has embodied permanence, artistry, and raw beauty in architecture. From the grandeur of Roman amphitheaters to the earthy elegance of modern villas, stone remains a beloved material for its strength, sustainability, and aesthetic richness. As design trends evolve toward natural materials, eco-conscious decisions, and biophilic design, stone has found new expressions — […]
The space adopts a biophilic office design and climate-responsive approach, creating a workspace that reimagines urban interiors by deeply embedding them with nature. The style is earthy, minimal, and modern with a strong contextual sensitivity to its location. Also, a lush canopy surrounds the bare-shell site on the first floor, allowing for abundant daylight and […]