Architect Abin Chaudhuri, founder and principal architect of Abin Design Studio and his design team came up with yet another marvel once again where he redefines the corporate house of RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group - Corporate Office in the city of joy Kolkata. Spread across a vast area of 195,900 sqft, this corporate office began as a forefront of experimentation with a spatial narrative through craftsmanship. Playing with his signature artifacts and shapes he creates a remarkable design masterpiece like his other projects such as Wall House, Nazrul Tirtha, House of Sweeping Shadows etc.

The Artifacts and Installations. Image © Suryan//Dang

As an architectural journalist, I had been wanting to document this project for the past year as this has been one of his most talked-about design in the architecture fraternity. 

World Architecture Community had covered Mr. Abin Chaudhuri's Wall House project and he was also with us in an exclusive interview on WAC's Video page. 

The Artifact Installation. Image © Edmund Sumner

An organization of stalwarts, the intent of creating an atmosphere of ethical equanimity, the client gave its blessing to transcend the boundaries of 'container' and 'content'. The client being an avid patron of the arts and an enthusiastic collector, the design intervention required a corporate office that merged with the idea of a contemporary museum. Spaces were specifically designed to house artifacts and human aspirations, along with a running work environment.

The Lobby and Library Space. Image © Suryan//Dang

The central core diffuses into multi-planar spaces, with natural light washing across the full-height atrium, filtering into seamless working spaces, segregated vertically as required in the hierarchy of corporate offices. Although physically segregated to justify the efficiency of function, the spaces are visually connected, transcending boundaries of closed office habitats, celebrating art and life through accessibility and ownership through a sense of pride.

The Play of Natural Light. Images © Edmund Sumner

A play of monumentality and intimacy, subdued material palette, and larger-than-life focal elements were implemented for a grand entrance atrium. 

The design is reminiscent of the life-affirming river ‘ghats’ of the country, leading up to the spires of temples and places of collective wisdom where everyday life meets spirituality.

The Workstation. Image © Suryan//Dang 

The Meeting Room. Image © Suryan//Dang

The Play of Colour in the Workstation. Image © Suryan//Dang

The grand steps leading up to the atrium, declare a proprietorship over the valuable collection of art, leading up to the library shelves, which house the invaluable collection of literary treasures. 

The challenge of 'content display' has been addressed by utilizing partitions between several conference rooms, which have been re-imagined as the library shelves.

The Staircase Leading to the Library. Image © Edmund Sumner

The  Library Space. Image © Edmund Sumner

Each lobby introduces the design language of each floor. The reception desks have been treated in various ways to express the same. From back-painted glass to even leftover carpet rags, the use of colour, artwork, and material has been utilized to create customized statement pieces.

The Schematic Elevation. Image courtesy of Abin Design Studio

Project facts

Project: RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group - Corporate Office 

Location: Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Area: 195,900 sqft

Cost/sqft: USD 146

Status: Completed in February 2020

Client: RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group

Interior Design, Landscape & Installation: Abin Design Studio

Principal Designer - Abin Chaudhuri, founder and principal architect of Abin Design Studio

Design Team:   Paromita Chatterjee, Sohomdeep Sinha Roy, Chittaranjan Pal

Write-up Brief: Abin Design Studio

Project Coordination Team: Jibendra Basak, Monomita Banerjee, Bidyut Chakraborty, Bidhan Poddar, Partha Ghosal

Top image: The Central Atrium. Image © Suryan//Dang

Photography © Edmund Sumner, Suryan//Dang

All the images courtesy of Abin Design Studio, Kolkata, India

> via Abin Design Studio