Designed by Parekh Architects, this 450 sq ft modern office space for a structural engineer reflects the fine-tuned details of raw materials coming together. The resultant is a space that narrates the client’s profession both structurally and metaphorically. To respond to the brief and the close-fit area available, we’ve organised the spaces sequentially to facilitate the client’s privacy. We realise this through a slide-flip open partition, which converts the main office space into a spread-out workspace.
This Modern Office Space For A Structural Engineer Reflects Fine Details | Parekh Architects
The tactile experience of the surfaces varies from that of rough, rusted industrial Corten steel to warm layers of wood. It opens up a scale-to-medium dialogue between the unconventionally used materials for interior design and the conventional ones utilised for building construction.
The entrance space drives through a paraphernalia of coarse materials that differentiates and frames the view of the further interior spaces. The lighting here runs through the corrugation embedded within the walls and ceiling, achieved by rhythmic inserts of fluted polycarbonate sheets that harmonise with the crest and trough of the raw cement sheets. The display and seating design hint at the structural forces effective as tension and compression. We make the structure of the seating surface from FRP grating, continuing vertically to form a partition. Meanwhile, we cast the base of the support system in concrete with reinforcement bars that jut out as a typical structural foundation detail for columns.
The backdrop to the staff area features a wall studded with infographics that detail the technicalities of structural design. The desks are fabricated to dilute the space with simple aesthetics. Meanwhile, the storage shutters mimic the metallic touch through metal laminates. The exposed ceiling throughout the space unveils the structure in its entirety.
Divided through a fluted glass sliding partition, the main office space brings in warmth through wood walls. Residual polycarbonate sheets were riveted together and effectively designed into a hanging light that dissipates soft light while becoming a sculptural feature in the space.
Crafted from salvaged Corten steel sheets, we create full-length storage on the adjacent wall. Holes through these sheets allow the insertion of pegs, using the surface of these shutters to pin ideas. Tensioned cables suspend the display shelves.
The shape of the tabletop is derived from Fibonacci spirals and realised with brushed stainless-steel sheets that are riveted together, adding to the subtle set of details.
We carefully fabricated a subtle interplay between high-endurance materials such as concrete, reinforcement bars, and FRP, alongside delicate ones like acrylic and glass, through a thoughtfully designed process. The other half of the office space is articulated to be simple and straightforward. Thus leading to a riveted steel desk for the owner. Natural light touching and bouncing off surfaces creates the overall ambiance of the office. Thereby bringing warmth to the otherwise cold materials.
Fact File
Designed by: Parekh Architects
Project Type: Office Interior Design
Project Name: Raw Box
Location: Navratna Corporate Park, Ahmedabad
Year Built: 2023
Plot Area: 450 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Ar. Pal Parekh
Team Design Credits: Ar. Pal Parekh & Devashish Pandya
Photograph Courtesy: The Space Tracing Company
Firm’s Instagram Link: Parekh Architects
For Similar Project >> An Office Space That Broke The Norm Of Modernism And Embraced A Natural Aesthetic
Some client relationships evolve into lasting partnerships, and this residence reflects that journey. Nearly a decade after designing their first home in 2017, the family entrusted us once again to create a new chapter for their evolving lives. The new home reflects how their lives have gracefully evolved over the years. Located in the heart […]
There is a moment, standing beneath the triple-height volume of this Bengaluru home, when the retractable sunroof slides open and the sky simply becomes part of the room — and everything this space set out to achieve suddenly makes complete, irreducible sense. Crafted by Deena Rodrigues & Nicole David for a multigenerational family, and executed […]
Editor’s Note: Some homes reveal their character slowly, through details that invite you to look a little closer. This Mumbai apartment brings together marble, veneer, textured plaster, mother of pearl, stone, and fabric to create a home that feels luxurious yet deeply personal. An artificial skylight transforms the entrance, while layered living spaces balance graphic […]
Some homes are designed to impress. Others are designed to be lived in. Legacy Home belongs firmly to the latter. It celebrates everyday rituals, evolving lifestyles, and the quiet beauty of spaces that feel deeply personal. Spread across 2,000 sq. ft. in Andheri West, Mumbai, this eight-month renovation transformed a jodi apartment from the ground […]
Every home has a story, and Project Prarabdh is one that unfolds gently through curves, textures, soft tones, and thoughtful details. Designed for a family that values calmness, warmth, and functional simplicity, the project brings together minimal aesthetics and expressive craftsmanship. From the entrance to the kids’ room, each space follows a quiet rhythm. Curves […]
In the pulsating heart of Gujarat, India, where the shimmer of the ‘Diamond City’ meets the rich tapestry of the ‘Silk City’, Surat has preserved its legacy of craftsmanship across generations. Amidst the precision of diamond cutters and the rhythmic hum of textile looms, the homeowners’ story began. They were not merely entrepreneurs but inheritors […]
This home is a thoughtful expression of the modern interior design style, infused with creative and personalised touches that make it both distinctive and inviting. Every material, colour, and finish has been carefully curated to achieve a sense of timelessness, with a clear emphasis on balance and harmony. The muted colour palette seamlessly extended across […]
When you walk into a room, what’s the first thing you notice in the interiors? The furniture, the walls, or the ceiling? Often overlooked, the ceiling plays a significant role in defining the ambiance of a room. If you’re looking to add some flair, sophistication, or a modern touch to your living room, false ceiling […]
When it comes to enhancing the kitchen window over the sink, various design ideas are possible to decorate Indian homes. From rooted in tradition to Western-style modular kitchens offer both functionality and attractive aesthetics. Apart from the sleek profile and raised breakfast counter, the kitchen window over sink is another spot to add appeal and […]
In Indian homes with dynamic spaces, identification of standard interior door dimensions can have a positive impact on space optimization. First impressions matter, right? Beyond spaces inside the homes, doors carry long-time impressions through various panel sizes, intricate details, and more. While most of us remember the material and design, we tend to forget the […]