In the office of MuseLAB Design Engine in Mumbai, natural light filters through a screen to animate its interiors. This creates an unpredictable dynamic with the changing patterns of light and shadow which never fail to enliven the space.
“We were looking for a studio and were delighted to find this double height space which also had a loft…it had such a New York feel,” says Huzefa Rangwala of MuseLAB Design Engine. “Our studio consists of just eight people, so the size didn’t deter us, although it was only 175 sq feet, with the mezzanine,” adds Jasem Pirani, also of MuseLAB.
Located on the ground floor, the premises provided an opportunity to design a frontage which would create a brand identity. “However, the restriction – the office is a rented one – was that the original T-shaped profile should be maintained. We would have loved to take away the waist-height walls flanking the steps in order to create a square frontage…but the T-shape worked too,” says Huzefa.
The duo decided that an MS screen with round cut-outs of different sizes would be the ideal means through which to achieve privacy, create an identity and permit light as well as ventilation. “Several panels containing three different kinds of cut-outs have been put together in this screen,” says Jasem. “All three have been laser cut in a 16 mm thick metal sheet.
Some of the perforations are ‘through and through,’ while others are either pivoted or hinged.” The pivoted perforations are connected at two points to the rest of the sheet and have been manually folded, while the hinged ones are connected only at one point.
Viewed as a whole, the screen reveals a distinct pattern created by the perforations, imparting an abstract aesthetic. Easy on maintenance, the panels can be dusted off regularly, or even removed for painting when required. “They were also cost effective, the size of the panels being dictated by what the laser machine could accept,” says Huzefa.
It is after stepping into the office, that the magic the screen creates becomes evident. “It is not only the slowly changing angle of the sun, but also every passing car which alters the patterns of light and shade inside, reaching the walls with their dynamism. We hadn’t anticipated the movement of these bubbles of light…it’s a pleasant surprise which we really enjoy,” says Jasem.
“Within this small space, we are happy to have the juniors listen in to our discussions with clients and offer their own suggestions,” says Huzefa. “Jasem and I have both come from very large practices where details can sometimes get overlooked. In this office, there is more control over who does what.”
“Our office is a contrast to the kind of work we do for clients. It’s rather ‘nude,’ both in terms of colours as well as the material palette, although it offers a mix of warm and cool tones,” says Huzefa.“Our projects are more a reflection of the brief which the client gives us.” However, this office is populated with a collection of creatures from other cities, personalising the space – a wooden bird, a cow from Pondicherry and a giraffe from CEPT, all have become permanent residents.
Reminiscent of Japanese design, this work area has flexible spaces, yet a place for everything. “Even the staircase is occasionally used for seating,” says Huzefa. As for the screen which articulates the brand identity? It won the Kyoorius Design Award in the temporary/permanent installation category. Filtering and regulating natural light, it articulates the design sensibility of the architectural practice within.
“We were looking for a studio and were delighted to find this double height space which also had a loft…it had such a New York feel,” says Huzefa Rangwala of MuseLAB Design Engine. “Our studio consists of just eight people, so the size didn’t deter us, although it was only 175 sq feet, with the mezzanine,” adds Jasem Pirani, also of MuseLAB.
Located on the ground floor, the premises provided an opportunity to design a frontage which would create a brand identity. “However, the restriction – the office is a rented one – was that the original T-shaped profile should be maintained. We would have loved to take away the waist-height walls flanking the steps in order to create a square frontage…but the T-shape worked too,” says Huzefa.
The duo decided that an MS screen with round cut-outs of different sizes would be the ideal means through which to achieve privacy, create an identity and permit light as well as ventilation. “Several panels containing three different kinds of cut-outs have been put together in this screen,” says Jasem. “All three have been laser cut in a 16 mm thick metal sheet.
Some of the perforations are ‘through and through,’ while others are either pivoted or hinged.” The pivoted perforations are connected at two points to the rest of the sheet and have been manually folded, while the hinged ones are connected only at one point.
Viewed as a whole, the screen reveals a distinct pattern created by the perforations, imparting an abstract aesthetic. Easy on maintenance, the panels can be dusted off regularly, or even removed for painting when required. “They were also cost effective, the size of the panels being dictated by what the laser machine could accept,” says Huzefa.
It is after stepping into the office, that the magic the screen creates becomes evident. “It is not only the slowly changing angle of the sun, but also every passing car which alters the patterns of light and shade inside, reaching the walls with their dynamism. We hadn’t anticipated the movement of these bubbles of light…it’s a pleasant surprise which we really enjoy,” says Jasem.
“Within this small space, we are happy to have the juniors listen in to our discussions with clients and offer their own suggestions,” says Huzefa. “Jasem and I have both come from very large practices where details can sometimes get overlooked. In this office, there is more control over who does what.”
“Our office is a contrast to the kind of work we do for clients. It’s rather ‘nude,’ both in terms of colours as well as the material palette, although it offers a mix of warm and cool tones,” says Huzefa.“Our projects are more a reflection of the brief which the client gives us.” However, this office is populated with a collection of creatures from other cities, personalising the space – a wooden bird, a cow from Pondicherry and a giraffe from CEPT, all have become permanent residents.
Reminiscent of Japanese design, this work area has flexible spaces, yet a place for everything. “Even the staircase is occasionally used for seating,” says Huzefa. As for the screen which articulates the brand identity? It won the Kyoorius Design Award in the temporary/permanent installation category. Filtering and regulating natural light, it articulates the design sensibility of the architectural practice within.
