It is not often that two such disparate disciplines find such a perfect meeting point, like this magnificent office shared by a law firm and an architectural studio. Of course, the design was by the architects, Neogenesis+Studi0261, which share space with the Laiwala law firm in Surat, India.
This curious alliance is enhanced by a design that makes it difficult to distinguish one office from another, since both share an aesthetic that we found extremely interesting: a box of microcemento (walls, floor and ceiling), to which multiple elements were added wooden pieces and furniture, which reduces the coldness of the cement. These two elements are completed with tropical plants distributed everywhere, filling the air with freshness and greenery. In short, it is confirmed that the trio cement + wood + green It is a combination that works perfectly.
The common area of the shared office
The offices are located on the third floor of a newly built building, surrounded by a large number of trees y openings that allow natural light to enter and ventilation Every corner. Located in one of the city's most elegant areas, the design is in keeping with the elite surroundings, keeping the interior isolated yet connected to the outside world.
The main idea was focused on creating a space "to feel at home" and, in addition, organized and careful, to ensure perfect coexistence of the two disciplines. The spaces are arranged in such a way that the entire complex appears to be a single office.
Spatial organization: the common entrance
The stairs lead to a kind of covered terrace, surrounded by plants and wooden benches. This area is clearly differentiated from the rest by the slate floor, unlike the microcemento The architects' intention was clear: to create an open, landscaped space that would welcome visitors. From this area, you can access the architects' studio directly, and to the left, the lawyers' office.
The architects' studio
The cement used has different patinas depending on where it is found: polished on the floor, troweled on the walls, and raw on the entrance counter. One of the walls with a polished surface is particularly striking. oxide made with minerals and other natural products, on which a table with two chairs stands out.
The work areas
As in many architectural firms, group work and the exchange of ideas are common. Therefore, in this office, unlike the lawyers' office, workstations are arranged around communal tables or flexible positions placed in front of the window. The look, being the same materials as the office, is more relaxed and informal.
The law firm
The zoning of the lawyer's office follows a strict hierarchical order, as it requires less interaction and more privacy. This office has a waiting area more sober and a reception table with more presence than the architects'. However, the furniture, materials and finishes are the same. In the image above you can see the ventilation system through glazed lattices, a traditional system in the houses of the area.
The compartmentalized work areas
These two images reveal the difference in activities between the two offices. The law firm has a meeting room surrounded by legal books, and workstations are divided by screens or half-partitions for greater privacy.
The bullion tables They are an original design by the architects, made with a wooden structure, a marble top (very suitable for the climate of the area) and a slotted plastic sheet that acts as a skirt and separator so that the users' feet do not collide.
Local, bioclimatic and sustainable architecture
The choice and detailing of all the pieces and elements were done so that the overall look was realistic and earthly. In addition, the intention was to recover the crafts and local building materials. The selection and mix of materials, the way they've been used, the ventilation openings… everything has been done with the humid climate of Surat, to create a user-friendly environment and rescue obsolete vernacular architecture. The application and advancement of materials ecological and the optimization of natural lighting and ventilation structure this brilliant architectural project.
Photos: The Fishy Project via OfficeSnapShot
