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The design is fundamentally driven by a concept of rustic minimalism, with distinct areas carefully designated for focused activity. Our primary functional goal was to increase coordination and communication efficiency by maximizing visual connection between teams and providing ample visual relief. We deliberately achieved visual serenity by excluding unnecessary decorative elements, ensuring the focus remains entirely on the design process and creative work. We designed the circulation to promote a seamless transition between work modes, facilitating easy movement and communication throughout the studio.
MANISH SHAH & ASSOCIATES, PUNE
- Project Duration - April – August 2025
- Project Type - Interior of Architectural Design Studio
- Area - 1000 sq.ft Carpet Area
- Building Type - Public Building
- Architect - Manish Shah
- Photographer - Yogesh Mahamuni
After 30 years of practice, our firm, Manish Shah and Associates, recently marked this milestone with the unveiling of our new design studio on Karve Road, Pune. This studio is a culmination of our decades-long philosophy, serving as a three-dimensional representation of our core values, including a commitment to minimalism and a distraction-free work environment.
We highly curated the material palette, focusing on long-term durability and rich textural contrast, which together create a sense of design harmony. We utilized materials like terracotta jaali blocks and natural brick for accent walls, which introduce a coarse, geometric texture. The flooring throughout the entire space is a matt finished Kota stone, providing a durable, cool base. Surrounding planes are finished in gray limewash textured paint, a calm, visually soft color that integrates with the stone and complements the accent textures. This deliberate contrast in surfaces—between the roughness of the brick and the coolness of the limewash—is a key element of the design's identity. The warmth of the rustic laminate used in the custom furniture and workstations is carefully balanced against these cooler, tactile surfaces. The use of fluted glass enabled us to introduce controlled daylight harvesting, effectively scattering light to reduce glare while providing a necessary visual screen.
Functionality shaped every bespoke choice. A well-curated gallery of our 30 years of work is displayed right as you enter.
The reception area features desk clad in vertical gray fabric louvers, lending textural interest and clearly defining the entry sequence. A custom, wooden jharoka provides a charming visual access point between the entrance and the director’s cabin, serving as a memorable feature that references our specialties in palatial projects. The juxtaposition of the natural brick wall and the terracotta jaali block screen is a deliberate and sophisticated design choice that reinforces the studio's theme of rustic minimalism and material honesty.
The director’s cabin continues this theme, acting as a productive sanctuary featuring stone-finish tiles, wooden blinds, and hand-done paintings.
Throughout the studio, details like the clean neat gap where materials meet, and handle less, seamless custom cabinetry, underscore our commitment to precise craftsmanship.
Our central material and samples library, a custom-built fixture, acts as the studio's hub for resource collection and communication with vendors.
In the conference room, a striking live-edge wooden table introduces a natural, sculptural element that contrasts with the room's sleek lines. We further integrated a large-scale hand-drawn graphic depicting a cityscape into the conference room wall, establishing a unique visual narrative.
In the main studio, we utilized colored acrylic screens at the workstations to serve as effective visual baffles, promoting focus without sacrificing the overall open plan feel.
In the conference room, a striking live-edge wooden table introduces a natural, sculptural element that contrasts with the room's sleek lines. We further integrated a large-scale hand-drawn graphic depicting a cityscape into the conference room wall, establishing a unique visual narrative.
In the main studio, we utilized colored acrylic screens at the workstations to serve as effective visual baffles, promoting focus without sacrificing the overall open plan feel.
We prioritized well-being through integrated natural elements. Hanging plants soften the interior lines while a small, vibrant balcony cum coffee bar serves as an essential outdoor extension for breaks. Architecturally, we leveraged the existing openings on the east and west for passive ventilation and daylight harvesting, minimizing reliance on mechanical systems.
Ultimately, this studio proves our core belief: that thoughtful design does not require excess; it demands honesty. We created a space where the materials and the functionality speak for themselves, demonstrating that true efficiency and profound beauty are achieved through restraint and meticulous detailing. This studio is the ultimate expression of our 29 years of experience- a living laboratory where we test ideas before presenting them to our clients, proving that function and beauty are inextricably linked through meticulous detailing.
Ultimately, this studio proves our core belief: that thoughtful design does not require excess; it demands honesty. We created a space where the materials and the functionality speak for themselves, demonstrating that true efficiency and profound beauty are achieved through restraint and meticulous detailing. This studio is the ultimate expression of our 29 years of experience- a living laboratory where we test ideas before presenting them to our clients, proving that function and beauty are inextricably linked through meticulous detailing.
