Exuding Grandeur

Project: The Half Arc O ce, Kolkata; Architects: Spaces & Design, Kolkata

The project designed by the fi rm ‘Spaces and Design’ exudes grandeur of the expansive spaces o ered by the colonial structure and adapts to function as a modern workspace.

The project is housed in ‘Diamond Heritage’ in Kolkata, which is a prominent heritage building now converted into a commercial complex and formerly known as the Mackinnon Mackenzie building. The o ce is unlike a typical workspace, exhibiting grandeur and juxtaposition of design sensibilities in a thoughtful way and harnesses the advantage of luxurious heights and expansive spaces o ered by the colonial structure. Overlooking the Hooghly River and Howrah bridge, the building o ers panoramic views of the surrounding vistas and provides visibility due to its location on Strand Road, a famous arterial road in Kolkata.

While the o ce has an area of 2200sq ft, it o ers heights of 20ft on the premises and over 39ft on the terrace. The o ce has a portal-like passage leading up to the entrance. Two distinct half arcs intersect at the entry where the passage meets the main reception area, o ering an enchanting view of the double-height space.

The reception and the waiting area have a world map installation as the backdrop– complementing the Nordic-Scandinavian look of the space. As much as the o ce is su used with Scandinavian design themes, it was also crucial to maintain the historical character of

POOJA BIHANI, Founder and Principal Architect, Spaces & Design Pooja Bihani is an established and a well known Architect and Interior Designer in Kolkata, West Bengal. She recognised her passion for the fi eld at an early age and pursued the same as she grew up. She laid the foundation for Spaces & Design in 2006. The design mantra at Spaces & Design is to “Constantly Innovate “.Another law that guides all its undertakings is the perception of Interior Architecture not just Interior Design. This helps in designing spaces “Inside-out” integrating architecture into interiors and vice versa.

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1. ENTRY 2. TERRACE BELOW 3. EXPOSED CEILING 4. VOID 5. GALLERY AREA 6. OFFICE BELOW 7. PASSAGE

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N MEZZANINE FLOOR PLAN

The office has a portal-like passage leading up to the entrance. Two distinct half arcs intersect at the entry where the passage meets the main reception area, offering an enchanting view of the double-height space.

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1. ENTRY 2. WAITING 3. EXPOSED CEILING 4. TOILET 5. PANTRY 6. MANAGER CUBICLE 7. PASSAGE 8. ASSOCIATE CHAMBER 9. WORKSTATION 10. TERRACE 11. MD CHAMBER 12. TERRACE

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THIRD FLOOR PLAN

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While designing an office space in a heritage building requires a sensitive outlook to retain its original character, it also allows utilizing the architectural merits that the structure offers.

the space through sensitive treatment and seamless integration of design elements.

The colour scheme comprises light and milky white shades incorporated through textured materials. All the furniture is bespoke and the layout is curated such that the office does not look clumsy and one could get an unobstructed view of the double-height doors leading to the terrace.

All the workstations have integrated half arc lights which add to the characteristic theme of the space and offer a functional advantage. Hanging lights in a space having a 20ft ceiling height would not be feasible, hence half arc lights were used which look aesthetically pleasing and offer well-lit workstations.

The ceiling was not tampered and left exposed, painted in white. All the construction details and structural aspects of the heritage property were left intact, to maintain the original character of the space. Care was taken to meticulously implement the design as it is a structure with historical prominence.

The office consists of a lower floor and mezzanine along with a large terrace. As one enters, there is a reception and waiting area leading to the workstations and the manager’s cubicle in the central space. All the workstations overlook the terrace offering expansive views of the Hooghly River. Towards the left, under the mezzanine, there is the associate’s chamber along with a pantry and toilet. The director’s chamber is located on the far end and opens up to the terrace.

A staircase leads up to the mezzanine floor which also consists of bespoke workstations with integrated half arc lights. The terrace with its picturesque views and colossal height becomes the highlight of the office, offering a space to hold informal meetings and relax after a long day’s work.

While designing an office space in a heritage building requires a sensitive outlook to retain its original character, it also allows utilizing the architectural merits that the structure offers. The office is a representative of the ways through which a historic property can be adapted to function as a modern workspace.

Photo credit: Ishita Sitwala

FACTFILE

Design Team: Pooja Bihani (Principal Architect), Anjana, Samrat Roy Area: 2200sft Year of completion: 2022 Furniture and Furnishings: bespoke on-site with oak Wood, KNB associates, Alankaram, Gulmohar Lane, wallpapers by Aditi Lighting: Lumeire Paints: Asian paints Interior Styling: Samir Wadekar