Creative Coalescence

By Beverly Pereira

Photography: Courtesy Anagram Architects

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Anagram Architects’ new studio promotes collaboration and creativity via symbolic design in an open-plan layout...

New Delhi-based Anagram Architects - a spatial design consultancy, is known to deliver innovative, context-specific designs that encourage sustainable lifestyles. Naturally, when it came to its own office, in South Delhi’s creative HauzKhas pocket, the team didn’t have tolook any further than its own design philosophy for inspiration.

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The 12481 sq. ft. office accommodates the firm’s expanded team through the interplay of standout features that include the play of light and an open-plan layout. Pops of lime green add vibrancy amid a light palette of wooden tones and whites.

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While long, broad tables camouflage the presence of computers, promote free flowing discussions, debates and evolution between people from the creative field, making the office reminiscent of the most basic architectural studio.

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This interactive appeal unfolds at the partially covered entrance itself, where lime green steps seemingly cut through the open volume of cascading levels clad in re-purposed wood. As the public face of the studio, this airy zone serves a dual purpose of acting as a spill-out space in the day and transforms into an area for performances and informal gatherings by night.

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Since the office is located underground, one of the main challenges faced by the team included equipping the space with natural light and ventilation. This concern was taken care of by incorporating a continuous shaded light well and skylights that skirt the studio’s periphery, bringing in diffused light, while minimising the dependence on artificial lighting.

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Yet another thoughtful addition to the office is a large mural of a mechanistic ant that flanks the back wall of a sky-lit gallery. Created by artist Anpu Varkey, the mural, titled Ant-1, was conceptualised to reflect the underground nature of the premises and at the same time draw a parallel with characteristics like collective intelligence and shared work that are best epitomised by an ant.