Tanktech Asia Offices – Chennai
Architecture for All | AA renovated a Chennai apartment into a contemporary workspace for Tanktech Asia, maintaining a modern industrial aesthetic with fluid walls, minimalist cabins, and cozy shared spaces.
Story behind the renovation
Tanktech Asia, an engineering company, approached our firm, Architecture for All | AA, to convert a modest three-bedroom apartment into a new-age workspace for them. The requirement was to design a studio for a diverse team of engineers and designers.The main challenge was in transforming any element that might be indicative of its past as a home, and creating the ambience of an office albeit being situated in a housing apartment complex.
Transformation of the house into a workspace
The concept was to try and retain most of the existing walls and plumbing lines, while also trying to achieve the maximum possible seat count to accommodate their growing team. The brief was to fit into the 1025 Sq.ft of space – a Workstation Area, a semi-private Accountants’ Area, three Washrooms, two CEO Cabins, a Manager’s Cabin, and a Pantry with seating.Two of the existing bedrooms were converted into the CEO cabins. The third bedroom’s walls were knocked down creating an expansive space, which was further divided into the Workstation Area and the Manager’s Cabin.
In order to retain the plumbing lines, the pantry was planned where the existing kitchen was, and the overall layout was designed accommodating the existing washroom placements.
Spatial Configuration and Design Concepts
As one enters, a standalone curved wall defines the ante-space. The wall is fluted with a texture that mimics Corten steel, an ode to the company’s industrial nature. This wall also acts as an element of visual segregation from other areas. Hidden behind the wall is a compactly placed accountants’ workspace.The concrete-finished fluid wall flows into the main workstation area. Between the two workspaces is a tinted acrylic open shelf, which ensures physical separation while maintaining visual connection. The sage green which runs across helps tie both the areas. In one corner, what was previously a wardrobe is turned into a nook to store files.
The step-out area, converted from the existing balcony, forms an informal nook to share an evening coffee. The peg board with its accessories can be customised based on the team’s needs – to house small potted plants on the shelves, or to hang their umbrellas.
Inside the pantry, the counter is tucked away at one end, followed by booth-style seating which ensures maximum usage of the space. The cobblestone-like black flooring and chequered orange tile complement the pinewood tones, resulting in a cosy resting space.
The cabins are designed to be minimalist, with neutral materials and minimal feature elements. In Cabin-1, the organic projections become the feature wall, while in Cabin-2, the grid-like back shelf with its gradation of blues, forms the highlighting element of the space.
The underlying aesthetic of the space is a fusion of Japandi and Mid-century Modern.
Design Thought Process
The overall design language responds to the underlying needs of the space. Due to their nature of business – being product-based rather than service-based, the office space’s primary users would be the employees and very rarely would they be entertaining any clients.As a response, we set out to create an understated work atmosphere. The occasional use of colors like sage green and amber ensures a certain level of vibrancy required for an engaging work ambience. The overall material palette consisting mainly of concrete and wood, gives the space the right balance of neutrality and warmth.
We intended to create a space that was inviting, warm and comfortable, inspiring productivity and collaboration.
Design: Architecture for All | AA
Photography: Athavan
