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
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 […]