Studio Office | Kreeze Design Studio | Vile Parle
In this 450 sq.ft. architectural studio, every inch has been meticulously designed to balance functionality with an inviting atmosphere, despite its compact size. The design takes inspiration from Scandinavian minimalism but personalizes it with thoughtful choices in materials, lighting, and layout to create a space that feels both intimate and expansive.
Materiality & Layout
The studio features pine wood partitions, which serve as light, natural dividers, subtly separating work areas without compromising the sense of openness. These partitions, combined with engineered wood flooring, create a warm and welcoming environment that immediately feels grounded in nature. The natural texture and tones of the pine and wood flooring are essential to establishing a sense of calm and continuity within the space, reinforcing the studio’s earthy ambiance.
The compact space is divided into functional zones, with long, communal workstations encouraging collaboration, while smaller nooks provide spaces for more focused, individual tasks. The layout’s flexibility is key, designed to foster creativity and teamwork without making the space feel fragmented.
Maximizing Natural Light
One of the studio’s most prominent features is its large windows, which allow abundant natural light to flood the space throughout the day. This influx of daylight has a significant impact on the overall atmosphere, contributing to mental well-being and enhancing the team’s productivity. Natural light not only makes the studio feel larger but also creates a positive, uplifting environment that fosters creativity and focus.
Addressing the Low Ceiling
With a low ceiling height, designing the studio required a creative approach to avoid making the space feel cramped. To compensate for the ceiling height, the design incorporates minimalistic lighting that blends into the background rather than drawing attention. Soft, curved edges throughout the space, especially in transition areas, create a seamless flow from one zone to the next, giving the illusion of a more open and airy interior. These subtle curves help eliminate sharp corners, which could have made the compact space feel even more restrictive.
Furniture & Planning Precision
The furniture selection, primarily from Ikea, was driven by both aesthetics and precise planning. Every piece was carefully chosen and measured in advance to ensure it would fit perfectly within the designed nooks, like pieces of a puzzle. The modularity of Ikea furniture allowed for maximum flexibility, ensuring that the space remained functional without feeling cluttered. This careful attention to detail in the furniture planning stage has resulted in a space where every corner has been optimized, contributing to the overall functionality and comfort of the studio.
Reception Area Design
One of the standout features of the studio is the reception area, which was designed with a reduced ceiling height and an arched ceiling. This purposeful decision creates a more compact, intimate sense upon entering the space. The result is a design illusion: when transitioning from the reception area into the rest of the studio, the space suddenly feels larger, creating a moment of surprise and enhancing the overall experience. The arched ceiling adds a sense of architectural character, further contributing to the studio’s distinct design story.
Crafting a Seamless Experience
The studio is designed as a narrative—a story that unfolds as you move through the space. Each zone, from the reception area to the main workspace, has been crafted to enhance the experience of entering and working in the studio. This attention to spatial transitions ensures that the studio is not just a functional space but one that encourages both focused work and relaxed creativity. Despite the compact size, the studio avoids feeling daunting, thanks to the careful balance of materials, lighting, and flow.
Ultimately, this architectural studio exemplifies how thoughtful design can maximize a small footprint while ensuring a seamless, comfortable, and inspiring work environment. The combination of natural materials, precise furniture planning, and the creative use of light and space creates an atmosphere that feels both intimate and expansive, offering the perfect setting for architectural innovation and creativity.
FACT FILE
Project Name : Kreeze Design Studio
Design Firm : Kreeze Design Studio
Principal Architect(s) : Ar. Kaiwalya Chitnis and Ar. Priyal Pandya
Project Type : Studio office
Project Location : Vile Parle East, Mumbai
Year Built : 2021
Duration of the project : 3 months
Project Size : 450 Sq Ft
Photography Credits : Dhawal Bumb
