Client Brief and Expectations:
Repurpose an existing student housing premise into a university classroom

Challenges:
Keeping the existing work that was executed intact and deriving a completely fresh aesthetics for the university campus

Concept and Design Approach:
By keeping cutting-edge design concepts in mind, a university campus that became a beacon of innovation and inclusivity was designed. Overall the concepts of holistic development, community engagement, flexible learning, inclusive environment within a sustainable campus was developed while repurposing the existing space.

Info

• Category : Interior – Commercial

• Size : 41,000 sq.ft

• Year : 2024

• Location : BKC, Mumbai, India

• Industry : Educational Institution

Client Brief and Expectations:
The brief was short but complex – designing spaces to meet the unique needs of all students that will not only benefit their academic and personal experiences, but also shape their world and enrich their lives.

Challenges:
Convert a commercial space into a Co-living student housing within a busy cityscape.

Concept and Design Approach:
A predominantly city area with a lot of traffic and people movement in the busy neighborhood of the cityscape and office dwellers, this project aims to change the conversation of what this neighborhood can be.
The overall concept and design approach within the space aims at simplifying circulation, creating a vibrant and lively streetscape approach to the corridors, and a very homely personalized fulfilling experience for the co-living rooms.

Objective 1: Maximizing Space

Efficient Space Utilization: One of our primary goals was to make the most out of the existing building’s space. We wanted to ensure that every square foot is utilized effectively to accommodate as many students as possible while maintaining comfort and functionality.

Optimizing Layout: We carefully planned the layout of each floor to minimize wasted space and ensure that it was both aesthetically pleasing and practical. This included smart storage solutions, compact common areas, and efficient circulation paths.

Multi-Functional Spaces: To maximize space, we created multi-functional areas that served different purposes throughout the day, ensuring that every inch of the building is utilized efficiently.

Objective 2: Creating a Comfortable Living Environment

Functional Living Units: Each individual living unit was designed with the comfort and well-being of the students in mind. This included well-planned bedrooms, bathrooms, and ergonomic furniture created a space where students could relax, study, and rest comfortably.

Comfort: Features included comfortable beds, chairs, and desks. Also, students were given the option of personalization of their spaces.

Privacy: The design prioritized privacy for the students in their living spaces. Each living space provided privacy for students to work, sleep and relax without interruptions.

Storage: Adequate storage solutions provided to ensure that students keep their belongings organized and easily accessible.

Climate Control: We prioritized climate control systems that provided optimal temperature settings for each living unit.

Soundproofing: Noise reduction measures were implemented to ensure that students have a peaceful and conducive environment for studying and rest.

Natural Light and Ventilation: Maximizing natural light and ventilation was a key focus, creating a healthier and more pleasant living environment.

Objective 3: Fostering a Sense of Community

Community Spaces: We designed inviting community spaces where students could gather, socialize, and build connections. These spaces included lounges, study areas, and recreation rooms, each designed to promote interaction and a sense of belonging.

Outdoor Areas: We incorporated outdoor spaces, where students could enjoy fresh air and a sense of community in an open environment.

Safety and Security: A safe and secure environment is essential for fostering a sense of community. We implemented security measures that ensured residents feel protected and comfortable in their surroundings.

Sustainability: Our endeavor was to be environmentally sustainable, using materials and systems that reduce energy consumption and minimize the impact on the environment.

Cultural and aesthetic considerations: The cultural context of Mumbai and the university community needed to be reflected, while also providing an aesthetically pleasing environment that inspired learning and creativity.

Objective 4: Cost-effectiveness:
The interior design needed to be cost-effective, utilizing materials and systems that provided value for money while meeting the needs of the university community.

Info

• Client : upGrad Living

• Size : 2,00,000 sq.ft

• Year : 2023

• Location : Mumbai, India

• Industry : Student Housing

Client Brief and Expectations:
Design a Vertical University in an Urban Landscape that will inspire the current and future generation of students during their daily course of life on the campus. Architecture of the space should encourage constant collaboration and allow room for inclusive teaching and learning in every corner of the campus. All the spaces should be transparent, yet everyone on campus should feel safe and secure, at the same time comfortable for anyone to express.

While the ways of teaching and learning are going through change, this university should be able to withstand the test of time and be able to easily adapt and accommodate.

Concept and Design Approach:
Designing a vertical university requires careful consideration of various factors that can impact the overall functionality and success of the institution in inspiring the current and future generations. Hence, while conceptualizing the campus, following approaches have been considered :

Space Utilization: Vertical universities have limited space available, so it was important to maximize the use of every inch of available space. This was achieved through efficient space planning, flexible and transparent room configurations, and creating multi-use spaces.

Circulation: Efficient circulation is a key to a functional vertical university. Hence clear unobstructed pathways were laid out and planning was simplified for ease of understanding and smooth movement of people throughout the building.

Natural Light: This was a key factor in designing transparent classrooms that allowed penetration of natural light across the entire floor plate.

Innovative Learning Spaces: Based on the client brief and looking into the past, present and future of all campuses, it was evident that learning and teaching on a campus had no boundaries, and can never be confined within the 4 walls of a classroom. Hence, the entire university campus was given innovative learning spaces like amphitheater style seating along the corridor, ledges along the periphery of the building where the students and teacher could easily sit and discuss, loose furniture with connectivity to power points was carefully planned in niches or alcoves along the main spine of the circulation space, and most of the furniture was kept loose and easily movable allowing a space to transform itself to accommodate all kinds of learning or fun events across the campus.

Safety and Security: With a large number of people using the facility, safety and security was a top priority. Apart from technology the overall transparent and see-through Architectural Design of the campus gives students a constant sense of a secured environment.

Flexible design: In any University campus a design that has adequate flexibility to transform its spaces makes it multi-functional and easily adaptable. This was the key consideration in designing classrooms and movable walls to allow complete flexibility of spaces.

Aesthetic appeal: A visually appealing vertical university always attracts more students and provides a positive learning environment. Incorporating design elements such as natural light, green spaces, graphics and art installations has created a visually stimulating and inspiring environment for learning.

Info

• Client : Atlas University

• Size : 1,50,000 sq.ft

• Year : 2023

• Location : Mumbai, India

• Industry : Education

Client Brief and Expectations : The journey is only 1% finished. Designing & implementing the tech giant’s office as per the given design manual & keeping the look & feel at par with all their international offices.

Challenges : Integrating the new premises with their existing office & ensuring a seamless transition.

Concept and Design Approach :
Solution –
Since the given space was to be integrated with their existing office, the focus was on making this transition seamless not only in terms of operations but also in terms of visual integration.

We worked on procuring materials & products locally & from across the world to achieve the aesthetics from their global offices.

The space is lively, colourful, integrated with latest technology yet extremely user friendly. Having a concrete floor & exposed ceiling reflects their company motto – The journey is only 1% finished.

The reception area features an exposed ceiling with concrete floors. The wall has a hand painted mural by artist Sameer Kulavoor. The custom made rug & the bold colours of the lounge furniture make it a welcoming space.

The meeting rooms small & large are all are treated internally to ensure that sound transfer is kept to a minimum. The space is also peppered with small meeting rooms called the “cozy” to provide a VC capable meeting space for 1-2 people.

The break out spaces for casual interaction or for work are provided at multiple locations within the work area. These are the highlight of the office with their eclectic styles of furniture & colourful upholstery.

The work space is also interspersed with small food & drink bars – The Nano & Micro kitchens, providing beverages & snacks within easy reach.

The cafeteria along with its kitchen were planned in keeping in mind the Indian food habits. The surfaces are all easy to clean & maintain. The furniture is mix of bright colours and in sets of 4 pax tables, that can be used by smaller groups or reconfigured for larger groups.

Another key factor for all Facebook offices is there Artist in Residence (AIR) program. Here they collaborate with various local artists to use the wall surfaces within the premises as a canvas. The artists were allocated wall space after a careful study of their individual art style & its impact on the given space.

The office also has a photo booth designed in miniature for clicking some memorable pictures. The one in Mumbai has a theme of the iconic Mumbai Irani café. This encourages the staff as well as the visitors to click & upload photos for Instagram.

Info

• Client : Facebook

• Size : 30,000 sft

• Year : 2017

• Location : Mumbai, India

• Industry : Technology

• Category : Corporate