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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. THE APPAREL OFFICE in Tamil Nadu, India by EMPATIO ARCHITECTUREJune 1st, 2022 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: EMPATIO ARCHITECTURE Brief Description A 10,700 sq. ft corporate office headquarters for a renowned 2nd generation apparel manufacturing company in Chennai. The idea was to create an exciting office space with a lively welcoming theme that meets the company’s energy and inspires its staff and customers with a fresh look. In addition to these, we wanted the space to reflect the company’s sustainable values and culture from macro and micro levels.
 Image Courtesy © Mr. Yash R Jain & Mr. Gautham Krishna
 Image Courtesy © Mr. Yash R Jain & Mr. Gautham Krishna Project Description CONTEXT & CHALLENGES A 10,700 sq. ft corporate office headquarters for a renowned 2nd generation apparel manufacturing company in Chennai, housed within a 30-year-old linear building with a longer axis of about 100 ft along east-west and shorter axis along north-south. The structural glazing covering the entire eastern facade acts as the primary source of natural light while the western wall shares a wall with the company’s warehouse.  Image Courtesy © Mr. Yash R Jain & Mr. Gautham Krishna  Image Courtesy © Mr. Yash R Jain & Mr. Gautham Krishna CONCEPT & DESIGN The idea was to create an exciting office space with a lively welcoming theme that meets the company’s energy and inspires its staff and customers with a fresh look. In addition to these, we wanted the space to reflect the company’s sustainable values and culture. The first step was to create a program flow that coordinated well with each other yet maintained necessary boundaries, resulting in a private zone for the executives, an open & interactive space for the staff, and lobby space for vendor meetings. The vendor meeting rooms at the entrance are airy, open spaces with light furniture & uninterrupted views of the garden below. The entrance is marked by a bold perforated metal archway donned in the company’s home blue color creating a brand statement that inspires and welcomes its customers and employees.  Image Courtesy © Mr. Yash R Jain & Mr. Gautham Krishna  Image Courtesy © Mr. Yash R Jain & Mr. Gautham Krishna THE WORKSPACE A vertical garden wall, with the company name, welcomes the visitors upon entry. The workspace utilizes the natural ceiling height to attain an open, spacious feel and receives ample daylight. The eastern glass facade is fitted with a second layer of UV glass and an air gap in between to provide insulation thereby reducing the AC load and power consumption. The western wall is opened up at the top to bring in indirect natural lighting. Focus on sustainability is applied from macro to micro scale, with elements like table-tops made of reclaimed wood and accent lights, pin-up boards & workstation pinups furnished with left-over fabric from the company itself. The latter of which elucidates a deeper connection between the staff and the company making the project, in its entirety, more personal and closer to heart.  Image Courtesy © Mr. Yash R Jain & Mr. Gautham Krishna  Image Courtesy © Mr. Yash R Jain & Mr. Gautham Krishna The collaborative spaces made with perforated steel matching that of the main entrance maintain visual connectivity without breaking the openness of the space. The polished grunge-pattern cement flooring and raw wood grain texture on the furniture contrast against the elements of vibrant green used throughout the design, subconsciously triggering a sense of excitement. The abundance of green elements and greenery spread throughout the space blends with the natural landscape outside, integrating it – an embodiment of the concept of embracing new exciting ideas while the shades of blue in the space represent commitment and bond between the staff and the company. Circular elements used in all scales from large archways and wall paneling to small handles, perforation patterns, light fixtures, and stickering patterns, were an intentional addition creating a sense of softness through geometry and breaking away from the monotony of straight lines. The pantry area extends as an effective discussion area for fewer people, for quick conversations over coffee.  Image Courtesy © Mr. Yash R Jain & Mr. Gautham Krishna  Image Courtesy © Mr. Yash R Jain & Mr. Gautham Krishna THE EXECUTIVE WING The executive wing starts with a wooden alcove space holding the assistant area. Furniture becomes the main design element in executive spaces with rich and bold tones of reclaimed wood complementing the neutral tones of grey & white. Meeting rooms are positioned away in locations that ensure complete focus and privacy. The main conference room is fitted with a double glazed panel for better acoustical privacy and its table is made from reclaimed wood with epoxy inlays and bold cylindrical steel legs aligning aesthetically with the rest of the space. MD room is a combination of clean modern lines, deep colors, and a touch of traditional elements used primarily to personalize the space. The MD room was designed keeping in mind his long working hours. Personal reading corners, naturally lit with cushion seating near the bookshelf, height-adjustable workstation for the flexible working, and lounge-like seating arrangement, are all part of the space along with a large personal bathroom in rustic finishes. The terracotta tones and its complimenting material elements in the MD room allow the space to stand out amongst all others but with a keen endeavor to make the space warm and inviting.  Image Courtesy © Mr. Yash R Jain & Mr. Gautham Krishna  Image Courtesy © Mr. Yash R Jain & Mr. Gautham Krishna  Image Courtesy © Mr. Yash R Jain & Mr. Gautham Krishna  Image Courtesy © Mr. Yash R Jain & Mr. Gautham Krishna  Image Courtesy © Mr. Yash R Jain & Mr. Gautham Krishna  Image Courtesy © Mr. Yash R Jain & Mr. Gautham Krishna  Image Courtesy © Mr. Yash R Jain & Mr. Gautham Krishna  Image Courtesy © Mr. Yash R Jain & Mr. Gautham Krishna  Image Courtesy © Mr. Yash R Jain & Mr. Gautham Krishna  Image Courtesy © Mr. Yash R Jain & Mr. Gautham Krishna  Image Courtesy © Mr. Yash R Jain & Mr. Gautham Krishna  Image Courtesy © Mr. Yash R Jain & Mr. Gautham Krishna  Image Courtesy © Mr. Yash R Jain & Mr. Gautham Krishna  Image Courtesy © Mr. Yash R Jain & Mr. Gautham Krishna  Image Courtesy © Mr. Yash R Jain & Mr. Gautham Krishna
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