Private Client Offices – Kolkata
Spaces & Design designed a fluid, open, and interactive workspace in Kolkata, emphasizing connectivity and creativity, with features like an infinity workstation and vibrant elements breaking traditional boundaries.
The clients, creative directors of a celebrated graphic designing brand in this region, wanted a free-flowing, open, and interactive workspace maximizing every inch, with a library as a must-have feature. Pooja Bihani visualized the space to be very fluid and open. The boundaries defined by typical partitions and doors had to be shattered in the mind and the space itself to inspire the graphic designers as “countless possibilities.”
Pooja believes in workspaces that connect the physical space to the ethos of the organisation as this is the easiest way for the people working in a particular workspace to find inspiration within it. The design theme, thus, revolves around fluidity, openness, and interactivity. Traditional boundaries were removed to create an expansive, inspiring space. Key elements reflecting this theme include the infinity workstation, the grayscale round conference room table, neon-coloured accessories, and bespoke artwork by the client’s daughter.
Even though the office has a rectangular floor plan, it is designed to give a feel of free-flowing circulation. The design scheme was meticulously planned to align with the client’s vision of a dynamic and engaging workspace. The surroundings influenced the emphasis on open, fluid spaces that seamlessly connect different areas of the office, allowing natural light to enhance the workspace. Pooja wanted to highlight the infinity workstation as it was rightfully placed upon arrival, creating a thought of infinite possibilities in creativity and promotes a collaborative and cohesive working environment.
As one enters, the no-boundary reception area immediately gives a sense of openness and offers a glimpse of the infinity workstation. The office is then clearly divided by the circular-profile conference room, which separates the left and right workspaces. The right workspace is predominantly anchored by the infinity workstation, with the directors’ chambers and a creative studio for designers located beyond it. The left workspace houses the main graphic designers, web designers, and other digital platform designers, with another studio situated behind the reception area. Utilities, toilets, and the pantry are all located at the back of the conference room.
Being the heart of the floor plan, the conference room is characterised by its circular profile, which is by virtue of it being centrally placed in a circular room, which justifies the circular boardroom table. The grayscale wheel pattern on its top creatively adapts a graphic designer’s tool. A sophisticated focal point for meetings, the conference table is surrounded by neon-coloured accessories and books forming a fluid partition. The overall design imparts a sense of freedom in both space and thought.
A major challenge faced by Pooja was to maintain an open, fluid design while ensuring distinct functional areas. This was overcome by using innovative materials like paper rolls for partitions and integrating colourful elements to define spaces without traditional walls. Smart space planning, which is also her forte, had key design solutions that included the continuous design of the infinity workstation, the multi-functional conference room with vibrant book partitions, and the strategic placement of neon accessories to break the grayscale monotony and enhance creativity. Personal contributions from the owner’s daughter add a dramatic and personalized touch to the office. The material palette is reflective of the eclectic modern design language and features a mix of sleek, modern materials and vibrant, eclectic elements, where the workstations and furniture have high-gloss white surfaces with clean lines to complement the matte greyscale finish of the conference table and the innovative partitions.
The combination of these materials creates a balanced, aesthetically pleasing environment that fosters creativity and collaboration. The marriage of sleek modernity with vibrant colours and unique textures complements the overall design scheme, resulting in a workspace that is both functional and inspiring.
Design: Spaces & Design
Design Team: Pooja Bihani, Soumadip Mondal, Subhasis Sau, Rakesh Banik, Vaishali Doshi
Photography: Pankaj Anand
