Studio by the Hill
“Nature is the biggest designer on earth,” says Anand Deshmukh, Partner and Principal Architect at Mind Manifestation Design of Pune, India. “When you are in nature, it stimulates your senses and rejuvenates you – a deep look into the nature, unlocks imagination and inspires creativity,” Anand elaborates, explaining the inspiration behind the firm’s new office space.
Nestled beneath a rolling grassy hillside in a converted residential apartment, the new home of Mind Manifestation Design is a reflection of the nature-filled backdrop to the building. “When we first visited the site, we decided that the context, that is the hill, should be the main driving factor to derive the design of the space,” he says. “All of the spaces are designed in order to surrender to hill, and the aim was to bring the nature even closer to be part of our day-to-day life which inspires us every day.”
From pale green plaster walls to timber accents, texture plays an important role in creating a multi-sensory experience. “When one experiences the space by actually touching and feeling the texture of the natural material, the senses get stimulated and one can connect with the space,” Anand says. Recycled cardboard tubes are an unexpected inclusion peppered throughout the space, reimagined as partitions, sliding shutters, seating and the reception desk. “We had been looking at using the cardboard tubes for a long time, we wanted to explore its potential to be used in interiors as a material, as it’s its colour and texture were suitable for the required ambience,” says Anand, explaining the idea behind the unique feature. “We also picked up the colours from the nature and made them flow within the space. The idea was to create a strong bond between adjoining hill and the spaces.”
The 120sqm office space is also masterclass in how to make a design statement with brick. “It has been a constant element in our palette while designing the project,” says Anand, explaining how the colour of brick chosen for this project was the perfect shade to match the sloping surrounds. “We decided to choose a colour palette which will match with the colours of the hill throughout the year, so the selected brick had one such colour which made us use it in floorings, jalis and more.”
“We have significantly used bricks to denote the connection with immediate outdoors like balconies and terraces,” Anand says. On the southern façade of the office, perforated bricks were used with a sliding mechanism to form a jali which provides partial shade from harsh southern sunrays while welcoming a cool breeze into the space.
From the reflective palette to the blurred boundaries between the indoors and out, the completed new office space of Mind Manifestation Design is a stunning celebration of nature. “Nature has been a perennial source of inspiration for many – artists and designers imitate the design patterns of nature; poets describe its beauty and scientists try to unravel the mysteries of nature,” says Andand. “Similarly, nature has helped architects in a positive way.”
“When you are in nature, it stimulates your senses and rejuvenates you – a deep look into the nature, unlocks imagination and inspires creativity.”
“When you are in nature, it stimulates your senses and rejuvenates you – a deep look into the nature, unlocks imagination and inspires creativity.”
Learn about our products.
Join us at an event.
