In Kolkata, a dilapidated rice mill is transformed into a contemporary office

By Rashmi Haralalka

Photography by Suryan//Dang

One of the last things one would expect to see in a suburban Kolkata office is industrial-inspired design, art-centric decor and clean, bright interiors. Arunika Sarkar, founder and principal designer, and architect Arindam Chatterjee, partner at Arredatore Design Studio took it upon themselves to convert a dilapidated rice mill into an energetic workspace.

"Inspired by the New York-style loft design, the Pailan office is located on the outskirts of Kolkata, and maximises every inch of that precious space. The design intent has been to create a workspace that enables creative thinking whilst being sustainable and functional. Spread across 3,500-square-foot and two levels, it opens to verdant views and is characterised by a stripped-back approach that shines a light on the bare bones that is quintessential to the iconic Soho loft style," says Chatterjee.

The reception desk on the ground floor sets the theme for the rest of the office. It has been repurposed from a leftover chunk of concrete and is finished in granite to reinforce sustainability. Flooring is done by Bharat Floorings & Tiles (BFT), Mumbai.

Between the interplay of the tactile walls, eclectic artwork and subdued elegance, the office effortlessly balances functionality and style.

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Stipulated by the client, the brief entailed designing a contemporary office with proper space management. In addition, it was imperative that the design be functional and sustainable to make employees want to come to the office. Described as having an "adaptable floor plan", the Pailan workspace is thoughtfully segregated into individual office spaces for the directors, conference rooms, glass booths, open workstations, pantry and washrooms.

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A passage with mock archways adds symmetry to the layout, leading to a casual seating area with sage green doors that inject much-needed colour into the decor.

Cane-back chairs and contemporary art prints from Artemist set up a characterful seating-cum-waiting area for visitors.

One enters the office from the ground floor which hosts a lobby space informed by sustainable Godhra bricks, concrete cement flooring and wall by BFT, and a ceiling with exposed conduit pipelines.

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A quirky HATSU rainbow console lends a characterful and energising vibe to the stairwell.

The stairwell is adorned by a Jaipur Rugs archetype designed by architect Abin Chaudhuri. An arched window illuminates this space, minimising the need for artificial lighting.

Arched walls with exposed bricks, cane-back chairs, and earthy cement walls reinforce the eco-friendly design vocabulary.

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From the ground floor, a green marble staircase leads the visitors to the first floor where the workspace is replete with distinct architectural and aesthetic features such as exposed brick walls, expansive floor-to-ceiling windows and doors, high ceilings supported by thick columns and vast open spaces with no internal walls. Acoustic glass walls help demarcate spaces in the open plan. It keeps the look clutter-free and creates a collaborative environment conducive to working individually and in teams.

A passage with artwork and muted colours juxtaposed with the concrete ceilings' raw look, exposed conduits, ducts, and brick walls.

Geometrical patterns on the floor and accent wall add layers of depth to the design.

Artwork, fluted wooden panels and Calcutta Viola Marble layer the director's office with elegance and luxury.

"The director's room is styled differently from the rest of the workspace with a dash of mid-century modern design. It exudes an aura of contemporary elegance and is a fully-functional office with complete Lutron Automation on the Dali platform with Delta lights. In tune with the loft-style design vocabulary, we integrated elements of art into the dock, such as the HATSU Belt pendant light. We also collaborated with the Kolkata Centre of Creativity (KCC) for art pieces such as paintings by Anjan Modak (Watermelon series) and an untitled work by Sujata Kar Saha," says Sarkar.