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Bathed in natural light and rooted in thoughtful intent, the new extension of the architectural office of ARA Designs embodies a quiet elegance. It is a space born not just out of necessity, but of vision — a continuation of a story already unfolding one floor below. For the team, this expansion was deeply personal. They sought to preserve the spirit of their original office while evolving into a more open, collaborative environment. Where the earlier space held structure and intimacy, this new level was imagined as a breath of fresh air — one that invites interaction, nurtures creativity, and amplifies the sense of community.

The brief was rooted in simplicity and clarity. There was a desire for calm — a visual and spatial serenity that would allow design thinking to take centre stage. The aesthetic language was pared down to its essentials: wood and white. These two elements form the foundation of the material and colour palette, with warm timber bringing in an organic softness, and white providing a neutral canvas against which ideas can unfold. Every choice here — be it the materiality, spatial planning, or subtle textures — was made to support a balance between focused work and fluid exchange.

Drawing from nature and the rhythm of travel, the design reflects a wabi-sabi sensibility. There is beauty in imperfection and authenticity in the tactile choices. Terrazzo flooring made from real cement adds earthy character beneath foot, while birch ply — sculpted into a striking parametric installation — anchors the entrance. This central installation isn’t just an aesthetic gesture; it is functional, forming the reception area, collaborative seating, and extended work tables. Its presence is commanding yet soft, built from half-inch birch ply sheets carefully stacked and assembled on site, its fluid form setting the tone for the entire office.

The open-plan layout is equally deliberate. As one enters, the eye is drawn across the expansive space to every corner — nothing is hidden, no cubicle confines. Tables line the periphery near windows, reserved for senior architects who benefit from both quietude and daylight. At the heart lies the collaborative zone, where teams come together to ideate, sketch, and build. To the left, a conference room becomes the forum for client reviews and presentations, adjacent to a discreet pantry and dining space. On the right, a private cabin for Amey and Pooja Dahanukar offers a quiet retreat — part studio, part sanctuary — for deeper work and strategic discussions. Also, the work desks that were crafted in limestone based on Amey’s design reflect the honest tactile relationship they have with material.

Textures are subtly layered to add depth without distraction. Walls and ceilings share a unified texture, achieved with soft, tactile paint that blurs the boundary between surfaces. The ceilings, treated with the same care as walls, offer continuity — a quiet backdrop that allows design thinking and materials to resonate more strongly.

Sustainability was approached with the same understated intentionality. The floor plate is lined with large windows that wash the space in daylight, minimizing the need for artificial lighting during work hours. There is no decorative clutter — greenery is the only adornment. Plants, carefully placed, are both biophilic and pragmatic, reinforcing the natural material palette while improving air quality and ambience.

Though there were no major setbacks, the challenge was in restraint. Being designers themselves, the temptation to push boundaries is ever-present. Yet, the team chose to stay grounded, favouring timelessness over trend. Every element, from the terrazzo floors to the custom carpentry, was made bespoke — crafted with care, designed to endure. Only the chairs and computers were sourced externally; everything else was born from their vision, down to the last joint and grain.

What makes this space sing is not any single object but its wholeness — its spirit. The transparency of the layout, the softness of the materials, and the generous light. Yet, if one were to choose a favourite, it might be the parametric design that greets each visitor: sculptural yet seamless, artistic yet utterly usable. It is a distillation of everything this space represents — precision, purpose, and the poetic beauty of natural materials brought to life.

Design: ARA Designs
Lead Designer: Amey Dahanukar
Photography: Talib Chitalwala