Studio A-ware & Manoj Dubal Associates Offices – Mumbai
Studio A-ware’s newly completed offices in Mumbai exemplify a collaborative workspace that fuses Vastu principles with timeless design, maximizing natural light while celebrating craftsmanship and individuality throughout the 2,500 square-foot space.
We recently completed the design and execution of our new shared workplace, a collaborative space co-occupied with Manoj Dubal & Associates, located in Andheri East, Mumbai. Spread across 2500 sq. ft., the office began as a bare shell, allowing us the freedom to conceptualize and build every element from scratch — from spatial planning to the finest crafted detail.
Spatial Planning
The overall planning was guided by Vastu principles, anchored by a central passage that visually and functionally ties the two studios together while cleverly concealing and maximizing storage. The cabins and general workspaces are aligned along the façade to capture ample natural light, creating a bright and uplifting work environment.
Design Process & Material Palette
The design approach stemmed from a desire to define a neutral and timeless base — with materials like texture paint, solid wood, veneers, and flooring — while allowing each space to have its own distinct identity through the introduction of unique surface materials and color accents.
In our main Studio A-ware cabin, a hybrid veneer backdrop anchors the space, complemented by a sage green full-bodied tile that forms the cabin table — a subtle yet distinctive statement.
The meeting room features a Baroda green marble table paired with a bold yet neutral wallpaper that seamlessly transitions from the ceiling into the walls. A custom shelving system was integrated to display material samples, supporting our frequent design discussions.
Another cabin showcases a flowy Italian marble paired with an organic wall panel whose rhythm complements the marble’s natural veins.
The MDA cabin features a muted quartz surface with a CNC-cut design, while another workspace celebrates a terrazzo and veneer combination table, offering a refreshing tactile contrast.
Each cabin is accentuated with custom-built task lights, designed to harmonize with the specific table and overall design language of the space. Handles were consciously eliminated, replaced with inbuilt or handcrafted solid wood details, maintaining visual continuity and minimalism. Solid wood was also used for mandir paneling and totem-like floor lamps, merging function and form.
A conscious sustainability effort led us to repurpose leftover materials, such as solid wood and stone offcuts, to create bespoke features — notably the detailing on the conference and meeting room tables.
Design Ethos
Our intent was to create a workspace that balances functionality with expression — a place where design thinking, material explorations, and crafted details converge to infuse warmth, character, and curiosity into everyday work life. The outcome is a space that not only supports our collaborative workflow but also mirrors the essence of how we design — with thoughtfulness, craft, and a touch of individuality in every corner.
Design: Studio A-ware
Photography: Murtuza Gandhi
Now editing content for LinkedIn.