Studio Chinar is a garment and home furnishing manufacturing unit situated on an 800 sqm piece of land amidst a plotted industrial area on the outskirts of Jaipur, Rajasthan. The client, an alumnus of the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, India, desired a functional and climatically comfortable built environment integrating a workplace along with a studio and other ancillary facilities for a team of around 100 people, including 80 craftsmen (tailors and weavers) who combine to produce hand-woven and hand-crafted contemporary textile products. Hence, the project was imagined and conceptualized as a naturally lit comfortable working environment. Furthermore, it would uplift the worker’s ability to focus and be more creative. The building with brick design has been based on the idea of celebrating the artistic work of the designer by creating neutral spaces brought to life by providing internal courtyards and bringing in natural light at all levels.
Editor’s Note: Studio Chinar stands as a testament to creativity and craftsmanship, where every space speaks of purpose and creativity. Bathed in natural light, it becomes a nurturing environment for the craftsmen, inspiring focus and innovation. The building stands as a quiet celebration of their craft, offering both solace and space for boundless creativity. ~ Isha Bora
The Brick Design of Studio Chinar Celebrates the Artistic Work of Designers | Juhi Mehta Architects
As the project is located in the Pink City – Jaipur, the old havelis of Jaipur walled city mainly inspired the design. Moreover, the internal courtyards and the solid façade of the havelis reimagine the response to the region’s extreme climate. An exposed brick envelope supports the construct, with an RCC framed structure consisting of a basement and ground plus two floors.
The brick used for construction is a locally sourced clay block (Class A). The west and south side walls are cavity walls, which helped in creating a sustainable built environment highlighted by a backdrop of brick patterns and brick jalis. The internal spaces have neutral hues which include exposed brick walls, concrete finished slabs, and Kota stone floors laid out in simple geometries highlighted by abundant sunlight pouring in through courtyards.
The building has mainly two entrances. One takes care of the arrival and dispatch of material, movement of staff and workers, and others for the buyers. All the working areas of the building surround the internal courtyards, ensuring they get ample natural light. Additionally, the services occupy the rear part of the building.
The ground, being the most valuable resource, is occupied by the weavers, craftsmen, head designer, and her team. The basement stores raw materials and serves as a sampling studio. The first floor houses all the tailors and production units. Moreover, the second floor features a small display space for the products, opening out to terraces on two sides. However, the overall layout of the building incorporates a seamless transition of various spaces flowing into each other. Thus, respecting the functional relationship between the various activities of the textile manufacturing process from weaving to dispatch.
The entrance from the north side opens into a central court having a skylight, creating a feeling of a large, voluminous space. Additionally, fenestrations have been provided on the south and north sides so as to bring natural light into the internal spaces. The rectilinear court on the north side brings in diffused indirect sunlight. However, this makes it suitable for workspace, and the head designer’s room also opens onto this court. The basement workspaces borrow natural light from large ventilators on the south side.
Considering the cardinal directions of the site, the front façade on the West predominantly features a solid design with bricks laid out in a pattern inspired by the client’s designs. Furthermore, the brick pattern helps break the monotony by creating a rhythm achieved by the play of natural light and shadow at different angles.
Also, this solid wall provides thermal comfort as the brick projecting out shades the façade from the harsh West sun. This wall has been built as a cavity wall to further serve its purpose as an insulator. Ample natural light inside the building results in increasing the energy efficiency of the building.
Rainwater harvesting has been done by collecting the rainwater in a large underground tank, and this stored water is reused in the building. Solar panels have been installed to generate energy using the natural resources available in abundance in Rajasthan. Moreover, the building works without air conditioning throughout the year, maintaining a comfortable temperature inside.
Fact File
Designed by: Juhi Mehta Architects
Project Type: Workshop (Commercial Building)
Project Name: Chinar Textile Studio
Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan
Year Built: 2021
Built-up Area: 23680.6 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Juhi Mehta
Design Credits: Ankur Dadheech
Photograph Courtesy: Studio BluOra
Source: ArchDaily
Firm’s Instagram Link: Juhi Mehta Architects
For Similar Projects >> The Brief was to Contemporize Mid-Century Modern Architecture
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 […]