Stress is a very associative word with work places. A productive working space needs to be responsive and functional reducing the effect of stress and as a result, increasing efficiency of the inmates. Human body and mind responds very positively to nature as its serenity works as a stress-reliever, and hence the corporate office of Marico was designed incorporating the theme of Biophilia.
The Marico office design project was commissioned to Utopian Associates with Ar. Sukanta Basu, Ar. Dibya Sen and Ar. Soumitra Majumder in the core design team. Utopian Associates is a house of architects and designers, co-founded by two architects of Kolkata, Ar. Soumitra Majumder and Ar. Sukanta Basu. As the name suggests, the firm believes in modern constructivism within a paradigm of metaphysics and logical manifestation of realism. Within a brief span of time, Utopian Associates gained a foothold in the industry and started branching out crossing border operations to Bangladesh, registering as Utopian Associates Pvt. Ltd, a one of its kind 100% foreign direct investment architectural practice in Bangladesh. Presently, it serves in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.
The design re-imagines the functional spaces of the office to informal social spaces so that it becomes more of a stress free collaborative space to grow and work together in respective endeavours.
While designing the Marico office on an area of about 17000 sq ft divided into two numbers identical floors, Utopian Associates was fortunate to be given a free hand in developing something new and unconventional. While researching and brainstorming on the philosophy of the company, a unique idea sparked in line with Marico’s tagline- “Make a difference”. The team thought of designing an office which works as a paradigm shift from the same. Hence, the design was perceived as a garden where requirements of an office space are fed in.
During the design development process, the concept was further refined and the reception area was translated into a garden cafe as if leading to pathways of garden. The entire office is fragmented into intimate scales of neighbourhoods which allow collaborative synchronisation of hierarchy. Since coconut oil is one of the most identity making products of Marico, coconut coir ropes were used as screening device. The texture and colour of the ropes play an important role in giving warmth in the interior space enriching its identity. The corridors or the transition space are lit at the floor level creating a dramatic effect. The natural wood and moss texture on the carpet flooring enhances the feeling of walking down a garden alley.
The workstation area has biophilia all around it in the form of natural plants as well as graphics wall which are uniquely designed to enhance the feel of natural environment. The cafeteria has been designed to give a sense of urban café which is warm and welcoming overlooking the busy city from the sixth floor. On the other hand, the MD’s chamber has been kept spacious and vibrant with biophilic insertion to create a cosy yet aristocratic feel.
Instead of readymade wallpapers and wall cladding material, the wallpaper was designed from scratch creating an extra depth and dimension to the overall look of the space. Wall graphics depicting local flora and fauna were designed as background. In terms of storage, combinations of stained wood storage cabinet and planters have been used to create a screening effect while giving the privacy that certain areas require.
Graphics played an important role in creating interesting corners and spaces all around the office
The furniture was uniquely designed with a minimalistic approach. The space gives attention to interior styling and minute details so that it matches the brand’s message. Customised stoneware was designed with earthy colours as planters and placed all over the office. As a result, people who are working inside the office are always connected with nature in an intimate scale. Instead of making a space look large, Utopian Associates took a bold step in converting a larger space into smaller fragments, each having a world of its own, that is humane and biophilic.
