Bathed in natural light and rooted in thoughtful intent, the new extension of the architectural office of ARA Designs Studio embodies a quiet elegance. It is an open plan office space born not just out of necessity, but of vision — a continuation of a story already unfolding one floor below. For the team, this expansion was deeply personal. They sought to preserve the spirit of their original office while evolving into a more open, collaborative environment. “Designers imagined this new level as a breath of fresh air — one that invites interaction, nurtures creativity, and amplifies the sense of community, replacing the earlier space that held structure and intimacy.”0
This Open Plan Office Invites Interaction And Nurtures Creativity | ARA Designs
Someone rooted the brief in simplicity and clarity. There was a desire for calm — a visual and spatial serenity that would allow design thinking to take centre stage in this open plan office. “The designers pared down the aesthetic language to its essentials: wood and white.”
These two elements form the foundation of the material and colour palette, with warm timber bringing in an organic softness, and white providing a neutral canvas against which ideas can unfold. “The designers made every choice here — be it the materiality, spatial planning, or subtle textures — to support a balance between focused work and fluid exchange.”
Drawing from nature and the rhythm of travel, the design of this open plan office reflects a wabi-sabi sensibility. There is beauty in imperfection and authenticity in the tactile choices. Terrazzo flooring made from real cement adds earthy character beneath the foot. Birch ply sculpted into a striking parametric installation anchors the entrance.
This central installation isn’t just an aesthetic gesture; it is functional, forming the reception area, collaborative seating, and extended work tables. Its presence is commanding yet soft, built from half-inch birch ply sheets carefully stacked and assembled on site, its fluid form setting the tone for the entire office.
The open-plan layout is equally deliberate. “As you enter, the expansive space draws your eye to every corner — nothing hides, and no cubicle confines.” Tables line the periphery near windows, reserved for senior architects who benefit from both quietude and daylight. At the heart lies the collaborative zone, where teams come together to ideate, sketch, and build.
To the left, a conference room becomes the forum for client reviews and presentations, adjacent to a discreet pantry and dining space. On the right, a private cabin for Amey and Pooja Dahanukar offers a quiet retreat — part studio, part sanctuary — for deeper work and strategic discussions. “Amey’s design for the limestone-crafted work desks reflects their honest tactile relationship with the material.”
Textures are subtly layered to add depth without distraction. Walls and ceilings share a unified texture, achieved with soft, tactile paint that blurs the boundary between surfaces. The ceilings, treated with the same care as walls, offer continuity — a quiet backdrop that allows design thinking and materials to resonate more strongly.
Sustainability was approached with the same understated intentionality. The floor plate is lined with large windows that wash the space in daylight, minimizing the need for artificial lighting during work hours. There is no decorative clutter — greenery is the only adornment. Plants, carefully placed, are both biophilic and pragmatic, reinforcing the natural material palette while improving air quality and ambience.
Though there were no major setbacks, the challenge was in restraint. Being designers themselves, the temptation to push boundaries is ever-present. Yet, the team chose to stay grounded, favouring timelessness over trend. Every element, from the terrazzo floors to the custom carpentry, was made bespoke — crafted with care, designed to endure. Only the chairs and computers were sourced externally; everything else was born from their vision, down to the last joint and grain.
What makes this space sing is not any single object but its wholeness — its spirit. The transparency of the layout, the softness of the materials, and the generous light. Yet, if one were to choose a favourite, it might be the parametric design that greets each visitor: sculptural yet seamless, artistic yet utterly usable. It is a distillation of everything this space represents — precision, purpose, and the poetic beauty of natural materials brought to life.
Fact File
Designed by: ARA Designs
Project Type: Office Interior Design
Project Name: ARA Designs Studio
Location: Santacruz, Mumbai
Year Built: June 2024
Project Size: 2000 Sq.ft
Principal Designer: Amey Dahanukar
Photograph Courtesy: Talib Chitalwala
Styling Credits: Samir Wadekar
Firm’s Instagram Link: ARA Designs
For Similar Project >> The Office Space Promotes Functional Work Environment
Where Contemporary Elegance Meets Colour-Pop Charm Nestled in the heart of the city, this elegantly designed 3BHK residence by informe designs is a celebration of balance where contemporary sophistication is effortlessly layered with playful colour-pop elements. The result is a home that is not only visually stunning but also deeply personal and welcoming. Informé Designs […]
Where Vernacular Warmth And A Grounded Design Meet Contemporary Minimalism At Archgenesis, every project begins with a conversation—an evolving dialogue between client, context, and craft. This two-storey residence in the culturally rich town of Kumbakonam is a testament to that process. Designed for a family of three—a doctor, a yoga teacher, and their artist daughter—the […]
We are excited to share with you a new residential project by Weespaces, a Bangalore-based design studio helmed by Vinithra Amarnathan. Crafted as a final culmination place after the homeowner’s years of living in many different countries, this home echoes a modern, casual Californian hacienda that meets a simple earthy aesthetic and Indian rootedness. An Earthy […]
As urban cities become more crowded and organisations open to new opportunities, the notion of what characterises an “office” has gone through a considerable shift. The workplace is no longer a fixed environment. With not just walls and desks, it has transformed into a fluid, responsive ecosystem. It reflects the rhythm of a modern and […]
Designed for a family of four, this 3BHK apartment strikes a balance between openness and functionality. “The client presented a straightforward brief, rich with intent—design an open furniture layout in the common areas to allow flexibility, and create bedrooms that maximise storage while maintaining clarity and ease of flow.” The design approach, therefore, was to […]
In an age when life stretches easily across borders, a second home isn’t just a luxury — it’s a lifestyle. For a young Dubai-based couple, originally from Surat, their fluid design vacation apartment was never meant to be a quiet hideaway. Instead, the designers imagined it as a stage for living well — a place […]
Founded in 2021 during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Duende Designs is the brainchild of Dhanshree, a qualified architect who transitioned layered textures into interior design with a vision to blend architectural sensibility with refined spatial experiences. With over a decade of practice in the premium and luxury interior segment, Dhanshree has carved a […]
Located in Baner, Pune in an up-and-coming neighborhood is the 3-bedroom residence housing the Kulkarni family. The vibrant home is an intimate space and has been designed as such with sparse furnishing and bright, lively touches. While the living and dining areas remain light-filled and anchored by a beautiful breakfast bar perfect for hosting, the […]
It is a 2000 Sq. Ft. 4bhk residential flat’s interior project at Surat. it’s one of our most special project because form very beginning, our client Mr. Jayesh Bhai Naik and his wife Mrs. Sonal Naik gave us full freedom to design and execute. They allowed us to showcase our creativity. It was naked flat […]
What makes House of Heart stand out isn’t a new gadget or flashy material, it’s the intention. Most homes today want to look perfect; this ultra modern home wants to feel perfect in the way comfort and memory make you feel perfect. This Ultra Modern Home Stands Out For Its Clean Lines And Thoughtful Planning […]