Firm/Studio Name
Studio Rakhi M.
Architect Name
Rakhi Makwana
Project Name
Art Guild House
Tell us something about your project?
The effect of Art in a workspace environment is usually not given as muchimportance. There are several researches emerging which are now highlighting that art has an important impact on the social fabric of any work environment be it a three dimensional sculptural installation in lobby or social areas of a building or 2d
imagery on the walls of an office space. When our clients told us that they wanted to create a destination where Art meets Business, Our reaction can best be expressed by Designer fornasetti’s famous expression.
‘it was an invitation to the imagination, to think, to escape from those things around us that are too mechanized and inhuman. they were tickets to travel through the realm of imagination.’—– It was an invitation to our imagination to get away from creating a predictable commercial Building Interiors. The design response to the brief is not just visual its tactile, the design incorporates, various stones, tiles, wood, stucco paint, composite marbles, green textures, carefully interjected installations
Lobby 1
Architecturally , the building has a long narrow organic form , connected at the centre , creating two parts. Right at this connection is one of the Entrance Lobby, Lobby-II. The organic form is rounded at the other side which is facing centre of entire mixed development, and that is the lobby a vistor would encounter the first.
This is Lobby -1 . The building has two atriums. Both the lobbies are given different look and feel to create their own identity. The design is bold aiming towards creating powerful emotional recollect of the space both by visitors and staffers who work in offices housed in the Building. Lobby 1 is the first lobby one encounters along the journey through the building. As deliberately intended, One first goes through the gallery space, the journey is an art walk first then the Reception on the left and café on the right side before one lands
into the first wing of the building. As one reached the reception, one gets a clear view of the globe sculpture around the bridge. And which is resting on the base located on lower ground floor and it immediately forms a connection to the Lower ground floor as well.
Lobby 1 space is neutral enclosure adorned by an imposing ceiling which is an installation made of black acrylic stripes. The ceiling smoothly flows between double height and single height areas of the lobby, organically arranged stripes are tapering and travelling upwards to the double height space. All the columns are given a parametric, multifaceted effect painted beautifully with Patina paint. The Reception table also takes a parametric form, however contradictory to columns, its
finished with high gloss marble and black tinted glass. I like to create a mix of contrasting textures, such as rustic of patina with high gloss marble and glass. Entire lobby has marble flooring, exuding richness. In addition to the basic enclosure design having installations, our clients have curated collection of art placed at various locations in the building. Lobby 1 has a huge print of Swimming elephant of Andaman. Every time I look at this elephant , it kind of brings smile on my face, and I am sure it has the same effect on other visitors of the Building, Art has such an effect on people.
Lobby 2
Lobby 2 is right in the center of the building. On one side is the drop of from external drive way and two sides its getting connected to Atrium-I and Atrium-II respectively. There is a column right in the center of the lobby space, which is tactfully cladded in gold mirror and is forming an abstract tree sculpture creating a
striking feature. The wall opposite to the entrance is caving in, into a single height space, this is given a dramatic form by creating a stepped Profile to entire partition and which is also creating interesting alcoves functioning as Lounge areas . The stepped partition is inclined in section and takes a meandering path to create caved areas for reception and lounge . the wall is finished with stucco paint and which travels to ceiling as well. The Paint is giving nice texture and warmth to the space. Striking a textural contrast to this two side walls are cladded with yellow colored back painted glass. The metal inserts are creating a unique pattern on glass and also imparting richness. Café is along the entrance wall . is given a different look
than lobby 1, this café is more within lobby double height space ,and hence is merging within the Lobby space.
The Atriums and Lower Ground Floor
Both atriums of the building are connected on the lower ground floor to make a continuous space. The Atrium is filled with ample of natural light. The lower ground floor is developed as an urban landscaped courtyard. We wanted the visitors to relax and immerse themselves into a space crafted with bespoke planters with seating , Gazeboz housing meeting areas , and lounge areas, these elements are making Lower ground a lively space, something memorable and connecting to senses. It is in-fact true as As designer and Author Robert L. Peters says
“Design creates culture. Culture shapes values. Values determine the future.”
Most people occupying the surrounding offices, not only uses these landscaped areas during the lunch time ,but they form exciting areas to have meetings all through the day. They Atrium actually functions like a huge breakout zone. The atrium flooring is made of polygonal parametric forms, all planters and lounge areas
are derived as originating from these forms. This Definitely forms a nice view when one looks at it from higher floors. The void edge of atrium is bringing in a scene which keeps changing. With width of about 6m, atrium space is narrow to avoid monotony of straight line the atrium railing has unique design where the base in wood finish is constantly changing and also allowing maximum area in glass to maintain wider look of corridor. Also this forms an interesting perspective when one looks down from higher floors and there was deliberate attempt to create visual interest to this spatial experience as well.
There is a lot of attention to detailing in every space, the wooden trimmings are having black edges giving it a nice look, the forms are also hiding the slot light feature of the void edge .Detailing is our speciality, it forms extremely important part of our design philosophy. From Lobby-I, as one reaches the reception, they encounter One of the striking feature of the Atrium-I, which is the Globe sculpture. This is strategical, generating feelings of intrigue, surprise and Awe, as you encounter it. The beauty of atrium space lies in attention to details 360 degree. The atrium space looks well composed when one looks down right from the top floor, its speaks about perfectly juxtaposed pieces of design. The polygonal flooring of the atrium is inspired by the flooring of elevator lobby. And all forms seating this flooring are inspired by its form. it’s wonderful how different elements look visually so different even though they carry the same line fabric.
Elevator Lobbies
Elevator lobbies are nice large areas, both lobbies having open well, exposed staircases which further adds to the feeling of a large space. The lobby is crafted with a strong flooring base made with abstract polygonal patterns in black and white. Black and white duo always add sophistication, style and timelessness to any space. Rest of the walls are neutral in white, which together with open staircase are really making the space look larger. The Open staircase has unique railing, its sculptural, travels right from the basement till the last floor, its inspired by the flooring of elevator lobby. the Unique part about the building is it has many elements similar line structure, but looking very different from each other. We love to play around with lines in all our design compositions.