Tuesday, April 17, 2018

The denim experience

By Rutvi Ashar
Photography: Amit Bhatia and Ajay Nirmal; courtesy Spaces Architects@ka
Read Time: 2 mins
"Customized jaali and staircase imelda inc spaces architects at ka indiaartndesign"
Customized jaali and staircase screen at Imelda Inc (inset)Ar. Kapil Agarwal

Spaces Architects@ka craft a theme-based work-space in Delhi that takes us through the life-cycle of their clients’ denim product.

When a client walks in asking for a theme-based office, factory and showroom all on a site area about 3000 sq. ft., it definitely is a tall order! The team at Spaces Architects@ka ably rise to the challenge and deliver an experiential theme-based space that acts as a stage for the raw material as it is artistically transformed into the finished product. Characters include not just the fabric, but also essentials like threads, scissors and the like, which are in full form in the process.

"Double height reception area imelda inc spaces architects at ka indiaartndesign"
Double height reception area  
"MD cabin imelda inc spaces architects at ka indiaartndesign"
MD's cabin
"maple battens on the ceiling imelda inc spaces architects at ka indiaartndesign"
Maple battens on the ceiling in MD's cabin
"executive area with customised details imelda inc spaces architects at ka indiaartndesign"
Executive area with customized details 
"designer workstations imelda inc spaces architects at ka indiaartndesign"
Designer workstations

Principal architect, Kapil Agarwal, believes in perfecting the details of a project and rightfully so, it’s the little things that balance this project. Simple elements such as progressing maple battens in the reception area carry the eye upward towards a customised partition using art pieces that are fabricated out of tension wires. The idea behind this is derived from the working culture and office concept story – hence the main element used here is the scissor. Other instances include the use of spools of thread as light fittings, sewing machine parts, and more.  Another subtle approach is in the colour pallete; using greys and whites with pine and rustic metal, bringing in rawness as well as warmth and adding texture to the space, while emphasising the denim blue shade, which is the showstopper, after all!

"showroom with customised lighting design imelda inc spaces architects at ka indiaartndesign"
Showroom with customised lighting design
"circular light fitting imelda inc spaces architects at ka indiaartndesign"
Circular light fitting
"Transition area imelda inc spaces architects at ka indiaartndesign"
Transition area
"simple elements evoke interest imelda inc spaces architects at ka indiaartndesign"
Simple elements evoke interest
"first level imelda inc spaces architects at ka indiaartndesign"
First level

Customized light fittings inspired from cross-stitch knot illuminate a sewing machine-like reception table. This is flanked by the showroom, which is easily accessible to visitors. With its blue concrete floor, massive elliptical light fixture and denim door handles, this space is a definite crowd puller! While design seekers are restricted to the public zone i.e. the reception and waiting area as well as the showroom, on the ground floor; business interests are catered to via 25 design innovators, who occupy pride of place on the first floor, which houses the major working area of the office, designers space, MD Cabin and executive working areas. 

"bespoke details imelda inc spaces architects at ka indiaartndesign"
Bespoke details

While real estate gets more expensive, this approach of housing all departments of a business under one roof can not just limit unnecessary travel, but also create a well-oiled mechanism that works in collaboration. 

Fact File:
Client:  Imelda. Inc
Design Firm: Spaces Architects@ka
Principal Architect: Kapil Aggarwal 
Project Architect: Amit Bhatia
Built-up Area: 5500 sq. ft.
Location: New Delhi



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