---
title: "Craftsmanship and Materiality in Architectural Design | RMA Architects"
description: "We blend traditional craft with modern technology to create unique architectural elements. Explore our approach to materiality and bespoke facade design."
canonical: https://mytribe.in/rma_architects/commercial-corporate-architectural-design/the-art-of-making-craftsmanship-materiality
last_updated: 2025-08-21
---

# Craftsmanship and Materiality in Architectural Design

Tribe Verified · Over 30 years of context-driven design.

By [RMA Architects](https://mytribe.in/rma_architects) · Takes projects across India; Visit office in Kala Ghoda, Mumbai · ₹350 ₹ per Sq. Ft. (estimate)

Part of [Commercial & Corporate Architectural Design](https://mytribe.in/rma_architects/commercial-corporate-architectural-design). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/rma_architects/commercial-corporate-architectural-design/gallery)

We view architecture as a dialogue between traditional skill and modern fabrication, where every material is chosen to give a building its own narrative.

## Photos and videos

- ![At the LMW Headquarters, I worked with artists to design these Mughal-style 'jaalis' from scrap metal sourced from the company's own factories. This detail creates a direct, symbolic link between the corporate office and its industrial origins.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/53d887e3-ce15-4060-898d-9950a9a04dcb)
- ![A spiral staircase becomes a sculptural element, with fanning wooden treads supported by a central textured column. I design circulation as an experience, exploring how light and materials can turn movement into a moment of beauty.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ec14c08b-501e-4291-9a5b-18f084a7dd08)
- ![A deeply recessed window in a stone wall creates a beautifully framed view. The rusted steel box provides shade and adds a layer of texture and color, transforming a simple opening into a significant architectural feature.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a02b4e22-79f2-483f-a5a2-21ac1491acf6)
- ![For the Novartis Campus in Basel, I collaborated with artist Pipilotti Rist on 'Amorphous Color Rain'. This video art is projected onto the floor, transforming the granite surface into a dynamic, kaleidoscopic canvas that references microscopic imagery.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/11dd3e10-0517-4758-aee1-f73fefc1b173)
- ![A behind-the-scenes look at the collaboration with artist Manjit Bawa for the LMW Headquarters. We are reviewing drawings for motifs that would later be cast into the railings, a process that infuses the architecture with artistic narrative.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/26b40c8a-b8e5-4f83-abb0-fc4436672aae)
- ![This staircase combines warm wood treads with a raw steel stringer and handrail. The small, colored light niches embedded in the wall add a playful and artistic touch to a functional element.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0f6d622b-45d8-407a-9972-8642f00409af)
- ![A detailed view of the abstract, geometric pattern of the scrap metal 'jaali' at the LMW Headquarters. The intricate silhouette frames the view of the courtyard beyond, creating a complex play of solid, void, and landscape.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6fdfa6ae-51c8-444f-b6d6-a9217e5837a0)
- ![In the factory, sheets of metal are cut to create the intricate 'jaalis' for the LMW Headquarters. The leftover scrap, seen in the foreground, highlights the process of transformation from industrial waste to architectural art.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9df62eb7-abef-4c69-b19f-71585034b375)
- ![These punched-out metal windows on a concrete facade can be opened for ventilation. Their sculptural, angular form adds a robust and precise detail to the building's exterior, playing with light and shadow.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a28b6456-cc80-4312-8e3f-390143a73e21)
- ![A person sits within a deep window opening, silhouetted against the bright green landscape. I design windows not just as openings for light, but as inhabitable spaces, places of pause and contemplation.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8704792f-bf30-44c2-b6db-c98c09168825)
- ![Looking down the main staircase at Virchow 16, the 'Amorphous Color Rain' art projection creates a pool of color at the base. The art is integrated into the primary circulation path, making it a part of everyone's daily experience.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1a58c04e-3f0f-4ad0-a17a-a9ab75eab9c1)
- ![A glimpse into the LMW Headquarters courtyard, framed by the intricate silhouette of a custom-designed metal screen. This layering of views through art is a recurring theme in my work.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/33bb9778-0f04-41c3-a880-533b78a60843)
- ![An aerial view of a staircase at the Novartis campus shows the elegant curve of the void and the precise geometry of the stairs. The small art projection at the landing adds a surprising splash of color.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/44394e3b-8eb9-4ded-b4b4-69903efc2f3e)
- ![A close-up detail of the 'Amorphous Color Rain' projection at the Novartis Campus. The abstract, colorful forms flow across the floor, creating a liquid-like image that contrasts with the solid granite.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5932315f-0e84-4df7-9527-6df4933b1030)
- ![Another detail of the video art projection by Pipilotti Rist. The amorphous shapes and shifting colors bring a sense of fluidity and wonder to the architectural space.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/71ab7fd6-ea11-4b1d-bd30-98ac63ddc531)
- ![The 'Amorphous Color Rain' projection seen from the top of the stairs at Virchow 16. The artwork acts as a destination and a point of interest within the building's main circulation volume.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9d14fb49-3dc2-4f7a-a530-2577eca20dbf)
- ![The main hall of the Virchow 16 building, showing the relationship between the sculptural white staircase and the colorful art projection on the floor. The space is defined by the interplay of form, color, and light.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a168f13b-85e7-4441-9d43-4b4d95e5dea5)
- ![On-site discussions during the construction of the LMW Headquarters. Here, I am reviewing mock-ups of the cast metal elements with the artists and craftsmen, a critical part of ensuring the design intent is realized.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a3208c6d-1fc5-45fb-b585-f72e88833671)
- ![A bold red column supports a floating staircase. This expressive use of color and form turns a structural necessity into a strong visual statement.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/aa7f6174-bc9f-40ec-bb98-f4e141e8c9f5)
- ![A dramatic entrance at the LMW Headquarters, where a central art piece is framed by glowing red light. This use of lighting and art creates a powerful and memorable threshold experience.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bdadcb73-d017-47bf-8d44-df7ca24bde7d)
- ![The interior of the LMW Corporate Office in Coimbatore, featuring a custom-designed sculptural bench. Every element is considered, integrating furniture and art into a cohesive architectural vision.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c95d2f4d-8fa2-41f8-9f5c-27b824ef4bd5)
- ![This monumental staircase features a solid blue balustrade that appears to float above the concrete steps. The design emphasizes mass and color, creating a powerful sculptural form within the building.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/cec199c0-d4e4-4df8-9760-61b1f78ee9b9)
- ![A close-up of the railing details at LMW Headquarters, featuring motifs of humans and animals designed by Manjit Bawa. This integration of narrative art into functional elements enriches the architectural experience.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d050db5e-d7e0-4e29-a8d5-8149abfbdf83)
- ![An interior view of the LMW office, showing the intricate patterned ceiling and green-painted structural columns. The design draws from traditional Indian architectural elements, reinterpreted in a contemporary language.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e0eb7894-b1b6-4715-ac36-6a79d096bd97)
- ![The 'phataka', or traditional flag, designed by Rajeev Sethi for the LMW Headquarters. This colorful, kinetic sculpture hangs in the atrium, bringing traditional craft and celebratory symbolism into the corporate space.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e59c7974-7820-4b2c-b4ab-f74491794621)
- ![A staircase made of folded, raw metal plates creates a dramatic, angular form. The material's natural patina is celebrated, and the space is adorned with traditional art, creating a dialogue between the modern and the historic.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f09a69c6-a588-4529-842a-33b87ce46892)
- ![A detail of the curved wall and the 'Amorphous Color Rain' projection at the Novartis Campus. The image highlights the contrast between the minimal white architectural surface and the fluid, colorful artwork.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f69a9446-4f3e-4187-9128-c5ba86292e23)
- ![A view of the LMW Headquarters courtyard framed by a custom metal screen. The abstract pattern of the screen creates a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, filtering the view of the lush greenery beyond.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9faf639c-dc0a-4618-9653-74f3d865e1fd)

## About The Art of Making: Craftsmanship & Materiality

Consider our work at the LMW Headquarters. We did not simply order decorative screens from a catalogue. Instead, we took leftover factory scrap metal and collaborated with artists to hand-cast Mughal-style jaalis on-site. By utilizing the company's own production waste, we created a facade that serves as a direct, tangible link between the fabrication yard and the corporate office.

Our approach to the 'Art of Making' is rooted in the belief that buildings should not be generic glass boxes. Materiality is the primary vehicle through which we connect a structure to its context. When we work with materials like local stone, reclaimed steel, or timber, we are not just sourcing supplies. We are engaging with the history of the site and the hands that shape it.

At the Novartis Campus in Basel, this philosophy extended into digital materiality. Working with artist Pipilotti Rist, we integrated video projection as an architectural element. The 'Amorphous Color Rain' projection onto the granite floor created a dynamic, liquid-like surface that changes the perception of the physical space without altering the structure itself. This is the core of our practice: using light, shadow, and materiality to turn movement into an experience.

For us, the process is as important as the outcome. Whether we are retrofitting a heritage bungalow in Mumbai or designing a new corporate campus, we involve craftspeople in the early stages of design. We develop 1:1 scale mockups to test how a kinetic timber louver or a cast-aluminum trellis performs under the sun. We design circulation paths—staircases and atriums—as sculptural elements where the tactile quality of a handrail or the texture of a tread informs the user's journey. By blurring the line between architecture and art, we ensure that the spaces we create are not merely functional, but deeply resonant with the people who inhabit them.

## About RMA Architects

We see every project as a deep collaboration. Our work is not about creating a foreign implant on the land, but about understanding the local climate and history to build something that feels like it belongs.

[See all of RMA Architects's services](https://mytribe.in/rma_architects)

## More from Commercial & Corporate Architectural Design by RMA Architects

- [Featured](https://mytribe.in/rma_architects/commercial-corporate-architectural-design/featured)
- [Living Buildings: Green Facades & Biophilic Design](https://mytribe.in/rma_architects/commercial-corporate-architectural-design/living-buildings-green-facades-biophilic-design)
- [The Breathing Core: Courtyards & Atriums](https://mytribe.in/rma_architects/commercial-corporate-architectural-design/the-breathing-core-courtyards-atriums)
- [Climate-Responsive Architecture](https://mytribe.in/rma_architects/commercial-corporate-architectural-design/climate-responsive-architecture)
- [Spaces for People: Interiors for Collaboration & Well-being](https://mytribe.in/rma_architects/commercial-corporate-architectural-design/spaces-for-people-interiors-for-collaboration-well-being)
- [Adaptive Reuse: Reimagining Industrial Spaces](https://mytribe.in/rma_architects/commercial-corporate-architectural-design/adaptive-reuse-reimagining-industrial-spaces)

## More services by RMA Architects

- [Institutional & Cultural Architectural Design](https://mytribe.in/rma_architects/institutional-cultural-architectural-design)

## Similar work from other experts

- [Materials & Craftsmanship in Ecological Architecture](https://mytribe.in/biomearchitecture/community-led-design-development/the-art-of-building-materials-craftsmanship) by Biome Environmental Solutions · Community-Led Design & Development · Studio in Vidyaranyapura; projects across Bengaluru & India
- [Our Architectural Design Process: From Concept to Craft](https://mytribe.in/sjk_architects/commercial-workspace-design/our-process-from-concept-to-craft) by SJK Architects · Commercial & Workspace Design · Based in Colaba, Mumbai; Projects across India
- [Our Design Process: From Models to Materials](https://mytribe.in/sianarchitects/commercial-hospitality-architecture/the-art-of-making) by SIAN Architects · Commercial & Hospitality Architecture · Takes projects across India; Visit studio in Derawal Nagar, Delhi
- [Designing Spaces Through Materiality and Detail](https://mytribe.in/s.a.k.a.studio/landscape-architecture-design/a-focus-on-details-materiality) by Saka Studio · Landscape Architecture & Design · Takes projects across India; Visit studio in DLF Phase 3, Gurugram
- [Art and Craft Integration in Modern Architecture](https://mytribe.in/design_untitled/architecture-interior-design/art-craft-integration) by Untitled Design · Architecture & Interior Design · Takes projects across India; Visit studio in South Extension II, New Delhi
- [Architectural Details and Custom Joinery](https://mytribe.in/architecturebrio/full-service-interior-design/the-poetry-of-detail) by Architecture Brio · Full-Service Interior Design · Takes projects across India and Rotterdam; Visit studios in Worli (Mumbai) and Rotterdam

## Book

To book RMA Architects, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%2C%20I%20am%20interested%20in%20discussing%20custom%20design%20and%20material%20detailing%20for%20my%20project.)