Vestergaard
Vestergaard Frandsen is a Europe-based company specializing
in complex emergency response and disease control products. The brief called
for the interiors of their regional office in Saket, New Delhi; the project was
divided into two separate office units, located along the same corridor, but
separated by a public space. Although each office was designed individually and
over a period of time, the design intent has been consistent and both the spaces
speak the same design language.
The brief for the second office demanded an exuberant and
functional working environment. An open and spacious platform was required which
would pave way for collaborative interactions. Transparency and democracy was
crucial and became a dominant design factor.
The formal meeting room is conceived as a glass box that is cantilevered,
and seems to be floating in air; a gesture to keep it disjoint from the otherwise
open office layout. Its ‘high and lit’ visibility from the outside passage
makes it the ‘highlight’ of the office space.
Another ‘thinking’ space is the informal meeting room that is
cantilevered, but opaque in nature to ensure privacy and help occupants focus.
The work stations are unique; the wooden table tops seem to
be floating as the typical wood base-glass top ideology has been reversed. The
strategic use of glass in all the design elements has helped to increase the
perception of openness.
To add freshness and vibrancy, an island of palm trees was
introduced with a mirror as a backdrop to create multiple reflections. The
green patch serves the purpose of an acoustical and semi visual barrier and
connects with Vestergaard’s adjacent office spaces.
From the furniture to finishes, there is a sense of
continuity and understanding of the Vestergaard identity and philosophy. The
float, the glass, the artwork of African workshops and the vibrant blue frames,
help convert this workspace into a workplace.
Luckily for the design team, the client was equally
enthusiastic and supported their dynamic lateral thoughts on work place design
along with their vision for designing ‘living’ spaces!
As Ashish the owner puts it,‘Archohm has gone
an extra mile to provide the minimalistic basics catering to all the needs in a
limited space, intricately. ‘