This project, carried out in collaboration with Aloka Design Studio, the challenge was to transform a compact commercial space into a functional yet inspiring setting that reflects the client’s identity, supports collaboration, and maintains an atmosphere of calm clarity.
The final design created a harmonious fusion of traditional charm and modern functionality. Employees and visitors could enjoy a sense of belonging to a heritage-rich environment, while benefiting from the amenities and flexibility of a state-of-the-art co-working hub.
Photography by Sona Ganapathy
Type : Hospitality Design
Location: Chennai, India
Year : 2022
Team: Aloka Design Studio
Roles Performed : Design Conceptualization , Furniture plans, Visualization , Project Management
CONCEPT & DIRECTION
PROJECT BRIEF
FINAL OUTCOME
The client wanted a space that always fostered interaction and networking among professionals while sharing the common spaces. Balancing this with the need for maximum workspace efficiency, the design evolved through ergonomic planning and refined material choices to achieve a luxurious yet functional environment.
Over an 8-month project timeline, I coordinated with multiple vendors and stakeholders, streamlining processes to achieve a 20% reduction in both time and cost. While project planning and management posed significant challenges, I thoroughly enjoyed navigating them and found the experience deeply rewarding.
Principal Architect : Divya Khivesara
Project Management : Niveditta Umasankar
Role: Senior Architect
Drawing inspiration from Japandi and Scandinavian sensibilities, the direction focused on balance — between function and form, light and shadow, restraint and comfort to feel timeless and grounded.
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
DESIGN EVOLUTION
MATERIAL LANGUAGE
IMPACT & REFLECTIONS
The project is located in Chennai’s iconic Mount Road, an area rich in cultural and architectural heritage. This unique context shaped the design approach, allowing us to merge colonial-era influences with modern workplace requirements, creating a space that feels rooted in history but speaks the language of the present.
A refined blend of heritage and modernity was the visual language with wainscoted walls and arched windows meeting clean-lined furniture, warm woods, and warm pastels, creating a space that feels timeless yet refreshingly contemporary.
