In the bustling metropolis of Mumbai, Shanti, just like its name, stands as a beacon of simplicity and elegance. Minimalism is a design philosophy is characterized by the use of simple forms, clean lines, and a focus on functionality. Minimalist architecture is all about creating buildings that are functional, beautiful, and uncluttered, exactly what our client asked for.
At first glance, the striking glass facade immediately captures the eye. Shanti is a simple structure with clean lines, it acts as a seamless interface between the vibrant urban landscape and the serene workspace within. The entrance gate of Shanti is made of Shahabad stone, which seamlessly blends into the compound wall, makes for an interesting feature. The engraved signage pointing towards entrance of the building, near an aesthetically planted olive tree, add to the curated and well-thought experience.
Stepping through the doors, one is embraced by an ambiance bathed in abundant natural light. A spacious and welcoming reception area, with wood paneled walls that beautifully hide the doors to guest rooms meant for office employees from other cities. The highlight of this space is a high table facing the outdoors, a great place for quick read or meetings.
At the main working area of Shanti, the open floor plan of the main office space becomes the heart of collaboration and synergy. Walls and barriers are replaced by fluid spaces, fostering a sense of connectivity and teamwork. Transparent partitions and glass walls create visual continuity, allowing colleagues to effortlessly communicate and share ideas. The absence of physical barriers encourages a seamless flow of creativity, propelling the collective spirit of innovation. Keeping the same character of the building, we have designed a swanky conference room well equipped with modern audio visual amenities. Besides which is a training center, fostering growth and expansion of knowledge. Both of these are connected by a huge balcony, which serves as a breakout space overlooking the open ground on the other side of the road.
With this we reach the floor with the executive cabins- designed exactly with the same principles, material and architectural language – highlighting the company’s views on equality and hierarchy, or rather the lack of it. A subdued colour palette dominated by neutral tones creates an understated elegance, allowing the space to remain focused and conducive to productivity – and with this we were able to achieve an insipiring office aligned with the client’s brief.
FACT FILE:
Name of the project: Shanti
Firm Name: U+ Collective in partnership with Ar. Arun Kabre
Design Team and Designation: Ar. Arun Kabre and Ar. Ojashree Sarda (Partners)
Website: www.upluscollective.com
Location of the project: Mumbai
Area (Sq.ft): 30,000 sq.ft
Photo courtesy: Sanket Patil