Tucked into just 580 square feet, this compact yet compelling civil engineer office proves that scale never limits soul. The designers built the space around a strong narrative. They married the gritty honesty of raw materials with a poetic tribute to the engineering office world. The result is a workplace that feels deeply personal and proudly industrial.

THE CREATIVE ESCAPES

The Idea

The design of the engineer office embraces a raw and intentional language. It uses mild steel (MS) in custom-built furniture to lead its aesthetic. The team crafted everything—from the reception desk to the workstations. MS serves as more than just a material; it stands as a metaphor for structure, strength, and foundational work. Clean lines and muted finishes ground the space while subtly celebrating the precision that defines the profession.

Storytelling

What sets this studio apart is its storytelling through elements that are often left behind on construction sites. A civil engineer’s office equipment, machines and maps are lovingly preserved and framed. They sit alongside original sketches and site plans, reimagined as part of the artwork. These aren’t mere props—they are lived experiences turned into design moments. 

Master Cabin

In a cheeky yet charming twist, the designers transformed equipment like a miniature tractor and concrete mixer into sculptural décor that doubles as storage in the master cabin, giving the tools of the trade an almost museum-like reverence. This playful balance between form and function, object and symbol, gives the office its soul.

The Brief

Every project comes with its own set of challenges, and for this civil engineer office, the most significant one was spatial planning. With just about 580 sq. ft. to work with, accommodating a reception, pantry, toilet, staff area, director’s cabin, and son’s cabin demanded meticulous zoning and creative space optimisation. Through thoughtful planning, we ensured that every square inch served a purpose for instance, the pantry door was seamlessly integrated into the engraved feature wall, maintaining visual continuity while concealing functionality. 

Ceiling Height

Another major challenge was the ceiling height. The site had deep beams running across, and we didn’t want to lose the sense of openness by boxing them in. Instead, we tactically designed the ceiling layout to retain a generous 10.5 ft height, giving the space an airy, expansive feel despite its compact footprint. 

Lastly, since the office is located on the third floor of a commercial building, we had limited options for AC outdoor unit placement. It had to be placed on the front façade — a functional compromise we accepted while ensuring the design language remained cohesive. 

Challenges

Each of these challenges became an opportunity to innovate — turning constraints into creative resolutions that shaped the spatial narrative beautifully. 

Reception

The reception area truly has my heart. It beautifully encapsulates the essence of a civil engineer’s world — a space where design meets structure, and creativity meets precision.

The focal artifact, an abstracted form of a building framed in MS details, becomes a poetic nod to the discipline of construction.

One wall narrates the story of engineers on site — their sketches, maps, and grit — through delicate engravings, while the opposing feature wall showcases art inspired by tractors and cranes, symbolizing the machinery that brings visions to life.

The Smaller Elements

Together, these elements transform the reception into more than just an entry — it becomes a narrative threshold into the world of civil engineering. 

FACT FILE

Designed by : THE CREATIVE ESCAPES

Project Type : Office Interior Design

Project Name : BLUE PRINTS AND BEYOND : A CIVIL ENGINEER’S THINK

Location: Indore (M.P)

Year Built : 2025

Duration of project : 4 Months

Project Size : 580 sq.ft

Principal Designer :  CHANDNI JAIN & HARSH SURANA

Team Design Credits : Himanshi Kaithwas, Rahul Sikarwar

Photograph Courtesy : Sudhir Parmar

Products/Materials/Vendors : Lighting – Vendor Voltech engineering, Company Mascon / Doors and Partitions – Vendor Huzefa Aluminium & Glass / Sanitaryware – Vendor Bharmal Traders, CompanyJaguar / Furniture – All custom made on site by Rajneesh Sharma Furniture, Chairs from Bhandari Furniture / Flooring – Brand Motto, Vendor -Namokar tiles / Paint – Arora Traders, Asian paints / Artefacts – Madhurya, Westside / Walldecal, Vinyl, Stickers – BMD Marketing / Hardware – Variety Hardware Store, Ebco fittings.

Consultants for the Project : Interior Designers – The Creative Escapes / MEP & HVAC Consultants – Shantanu Jain, Apex Marketing / Lighting Designers – The Creative Escapes / Contractors – Carpentry work Rajneesh Sharma ( Sharma Furniture ), Fabricator- KRS Fabrication, Electrician- Vishnu Rathore

Firm’s Website Link : THE CREATIVE ESCAPES 

Instagram Link : THE CREATIVE ESCAPES

Facebook Link : THE CREATIVE ESCAPES

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