Storm in a tea cup?

By Pari Syal

Photography: Aditya Panchal & Mahesh Naik; courtesy the architect

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Ar. Mahesh Naik chisels an ‘organic’ office for an urban scenario…

Any business – small or big necessitates a congenial environment, where meetings can be organized, decisions taken, documents signed and sealed, future collaborations envisaged…  When Ar. Mahesh Naik was handed the task of chiseling such a space in a 120 sq.ft. shop in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai city, he instantly visualized a two-level full-fledged office space with reception, meeting room, locker, and washroom complete.

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Dividing the lofty space with its ceiling height of approx. 14 ft., into a ground plus mezzanine layout, the architect proceeded to wrap his functional forays in an aesthetic application of just 3 materials – stone, wood and glass.

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“The idea was to create intrigue and an engaging atmosphere – rich, warm and pleasant, rather than just a practical fit-out,” he informs. So, he used Jaisalmer stone for the flooring, cork sheet for the ceiling, slats of teakwood cladding for a plywood based furniture and glass to enhance the spatial feel.   

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The onus of the design as seen seems to rest largely on the juxtaposition of the triangular form in the natural grains of the wood used. The geometric form weaves its spell building on the pattern and its strategic use as entrance door handle, table-top shape and the two-way glass-light that doubles up as ceiling pattern and illumination for the ground floor, and flooring pattern and light for the mezzanine.

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While the composition appears to bind well with enough white space and glass interspersed for relief, it at times, appears to be more a maze and one can’t help but wish for a light airy open ambiance. However, interior design is all about subjectivity; and whilst approaches and responses vary, the newly opened small fit-out still remains well laid out.