In the heart of a rapidly densifying urban context, the MARS Corporate House emerges as an ode to minimalism, modularity, and mindful spatial planning. Conceived as the corporate house headquarters for a thriving firm, the project began with a singular yet powerful client brief: “We want every employee to have a green view.” This vision became the core philosophy around which every decision, from zoning to fenestration, circulation to landscaping, was shaped.

The MARS Corporate House is a Minimalist Response to Urban Density | NLine Architects

Design Philosophy: Minimalism Rooted in Nature

The design approach embraced a minimalist modern vocabulary, translated through clean lines, simplified geometry, and a controlled material palette. However, the simplicity was not synonymous with austerity.

Every gesture in this campus, from the placement of blocks to the transparency of walls, was designed to enrich the experience of space, light, and green. The structure does not attempt to dominate its surroundings. Instead, it finds its identity in openness, flexibility, and a subtle rhythm of built and unbuilt spaces.

After over 16 iterations, the final layout responded to both function and symbolism. The staff block, composed of modular units, was arranged to form the shape of the letter ‘M’, reflecting the firm’s initial MARS  when seen from an aerial perspective.

This was more than just a visual metaphor. It provided a logical, flexible, and visually permeable planning grid, allowing courtyards to be tucked between blocks, enhancing both ventilation and daylighting.

The Director’s Block was conceived as a clean rectangular volume, placed per Vastu principles, establishing hierarchy and axial alignment. The two primary blocks, Staff and Director, are connected by a semi-open corridor that flanks the main courtyard garden, offering visual continuity while introducing transitional breathing zones between formal and informal functions.

Site Context and Planning Response

Set within an industrial-commercial zone, the site was surrounded by high compound walls and neighbouring warehouses. The challenge was to carve out a sense of calm and visual porosity in an otherwise cluttered environment.

Instead of going vertical, we chose to go horizontal. This ground-hugging typology, organized as a series of blocks with three-sided glazing, allowed the inside to continuously interact with courtyards, ensuring every workspace has its own connection to nature, just as envisioned by the client.

The decision to break the program into blocks instead of consolidating it into a single mass was instrumental in enabling visual access to landscape, cross ventilation, sound insulation, and intuitive orientation for users.

Each block was 26′ x 28′, deliberately sized to suit multiple functions, from teams of 6–8 people to specialized departments, with modular scalability and future adaptability.

Entrance & Foyer

Understated signage and softscape buffers mark the approach to the campus. A low-height wall guides visitors into a semi-open foyer, where the landscape begins to play its part.

This threshold is minimal yet purposeful — a clear introduction to the campus’ philosophy of transparency and greenspace integration.

Reception & Director’s Block

The reception sits within the Director’s Block, a volume that hosts the accounts department, private cabins, meeting rooms, and guest facilities. The material palette of glass, beige sandstone, and metal pairs with acoustic finishes, customized lighting, and bespoke furniture.

A double-height ceiling above the waiting area and full-height windows ensure the space feels open, elegant, and well grounded.

Staff Block & Workspaces

The staff block, laid out in the ‘M’ formation, comprises eight modular units distributed over G+2 levels.

The second floor offers three additional blocks and one utility block, including a semi-open breakout terrace for informal collaboration or relaxed breaks.

On the ground floor, five independent blocks function as various departmental zones, one as a conference room and one as utility block each enjoying its own landscaped courtyard.

The first floor features a larger, combined BIM department with visual spill over into the lower levels.

The consistent module, natural lighting, and open-plan interiors encourage team efficiency, cross-department visibility, and employee well-being. Wide 10’ corridors, abundant daylight, and seamless landscape views make working in these spaces feel connected and grounded.

Conference Rooms & Collaboration Areas

Multiple formal and informal meeting areas are strategically located. The Staff’s Block houses a grand boardroom, while the Director’s Block places smaller conference pods at both vertical ends to ensure efficient communication and hierarchy.

Canteen & Informal Spaces

Situated on the second floor, the pantry-cum-canteen opens out to an informal open terrace dining, a space that blurs the line between indoor and outdoor.

Designed with planters, pergolas, and built-in seating, this becomes a social hub, encouraging moments of pause, team lunches, and casual interaction beyond work.

Courtyards & Landscape Integration

Every courtyard is distinct in its planting scheme and character. Zen-inspired gravel gardens, lush tropical pockets, and hardscape plazas with built-in seating actively invite users to engage with the outdoors—taking calls, brainstorming in groups, or simply unwinding.

The main garden sits at the heart of the campus and intentionally aligns with the connecting passage, creating a serene visual and physical link between the two blocks.

Materials & Aesthetics

The design embraces a restrained aesthetic enriched with thoughtful details. We opted for a neutral color palette, tons of white, grey, sandstone, and dark grey, to allow the greenery and natural light to take centre stage. Large windows and frameless corners deliberately blur the boundaries between inside and outside.

The interiors across the board use a harmonious material language—modular carpet tiles, concrete finish floors, and wooden acoustical baffles. The furniture remains simple, clad in understated laminates. Together, these elements ensure ease of maintenance, acoustic comfort, and visual uniformity.

Inspiration and Influence

The project draws subtle influence from:

• Louis Kahn’s monolithic yet breathable institutions, especially in the separation of blocks and the celebration of courtyards.
• Biophilic design principles, encourage health and productivity by enhancing connectivity to nature.
• The understated elegance of Japanese modernism, where less truly becomes more, in space, form, and intent.

Challenges & Learning

One of the primary challenges was translating the green-view vision into a buildable modular grid, especially while working within budget constraints and Vastu requirements. Integrating services discreetly across glazed blocks while ensuring thermal comfort was a critical challenge. We overcame it, along with managing a phased execution timeline across multiple blocks, through detailed coordination and pre-planned execution strategies.

Another significant effort was balancing privacy with openness, particularly in departments dealing with sensitive data. This was achieved while still maintaining the architectural language of glass and connectivity.

Conclusion

The MARS Corporate House is a demonstration of how clarity in brief, context-driven design, and modern minimalism can come together to craft a thoughtful corporate environment. It uplifts not just the brand but also its people. By focusing on modular spatial design, landscape integration, and functional transparency, the campus doesn’t just respond to a program. Instead, it thoughtfully responds to a philosophy of work and well-being.

Every element, from the aerial ‘M’ layout to the last courtyard tree, is a part of a thoughtful narrative that values green, geometry, and growth.

Fact File

Designed by: NLine Architects

Project Type: Office Architecture & Interior Design

Project Name: Mars Corporate House

Location: Ahmedabad

Year Built: 2023

Duration of the project: 1.5 Years

Plot Area: 63184 Sq.ft

Principal Architect: Ar. Nonie Patel

Team Design Credits: Ar. Maharshi Jagada & Ar. Riya Makwana

Photograph Courtesy: Umang Shah

Firm’s Instagram Link: NLine Architects

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