Commercial & Community Spaces
Moving away from sterile cubicles and rigid layouts. We design commercial environments that prioritize the human experience, focusing on comfort, flow, and shared interaction.
For the Centennial College office in Bangalore, we broke the barriers of a stereotypical work environment. The reception lounge uses bold geometric floor tiles, comfortable curved sofas, and unique ceiling fins to create a welcoming and dynamic first impression.
The waiting lounge features a mix of furniture styles and a bold color palette. The deep blue sofa contrasts with the patterned floor, while framed photos of Canadian cityscapes connect the space to the college's origins.
Another view of the reception area, showcasing the interplay of patterns, colors, and the sculptural ceiling fins that define the office's unique design language.
The central corridor features a striking black and white tiled floor that resembles a carpet, leading the eye through the space. The arched ceiling fins and informal seating nooks create a warm and inviting pathway.
We created these informal working nooks to provide employees with a dynamic zone away from their desks. The cozy blue seating, individual tables, and pendant lighting offer a comfortable space for breaks or collaborative chats.
This view shows how we used arched beams and ceiling fins to frame views and connect different zones within the open-plan office. The design conceals structural beams while adding depth and character.
The workstations are positioned near large windows to take advantage of natural light and views of the surrounding trees. The warm oak desks and fluted glass partitions complement the overhead ceiling fins.
A perspective from one of the workstations, looking out into the main office area. The arched fins create beautiful frames, wrapping the entire space in a cohesive design language.
Another shot from a workstation, highlighting the warm and comfortable environment we aimed to create.
The ceiling fins were a key design element, used to conceal irregular structural beams and bring a sense of character and connectivity throughout the office. Here, they flow over the main workstation area.
About Commercial & Community Spaces
The sculptural ceiling fins featured in this office project are not purely aesthetic. Commercial spaces often come with irregular beam layouts that clutter the ceiling height. By using these layered gypsum fins, we successfully masked the structural overhead while creating a continuous, rhythmic flow that connects the reception to the workstations.
When we approach a commercial project, our goal is to dismantle the 'cubicle mindset.' A workspace should function as a living, breathing environment that accommodates different modes of working—from focused deep work to casual collaborative catch-ups.
For the Centennial College office, we anchored the design in this versatility. We replaced the standard uniform seating with intentional 'nooks' and informal breakout zones. These areas encourage movement and provide a break from the screen, which is essential for creative output.
Materiality plays a huge role in softening the professional edge. Instead of cold, synthetic surfaces, we opted for warm oak laminates, clay tile feature walls, and textural finishes that bring comfort into the office. The flooring in the central corridor serves a functional purpose, too—it acts as a visual 'carpet' that guides people through the space without the need for physical partitions that block light.
Whether it is a corporate reception, a modern pantry, or an open-plan office layout, our process remains the same: we study the flow of the team first. We look for ways to hide the clutter of HVAC ducts and beams to create clean, honest lines. We design for the people using the space every day, ensuring the environment feels professional but never, ever stiff.
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