Creating a new studio for its practice, Taliesyn has employed all its talents and conceived the perfect environment for work and wellbeing. The more than a decade-old practice is situated in Bengaluru, India and with the new office there was the opportunity to design a purpose-built space that explores a better way of working in the ever-changing post pandemic world.

The design of the studio, named Taliesyn Studio, is inspirational in its minimalism with multiple collaborative spaces and bold use of colour. The premise is located on the southern side of Bengaluru and the surrounding landscape and foliage was instrumental in the concept of the design and has been included to great effect.

The office is spread across 223 square metres and sensitively responds to the site. The two-storey studio space is on a North South axis and the material library is positioned along the East West, with both areas arranged perpendicular to the central courtyard. 

Taliesyn principal architects, Ar. Mahaboob Basha and Ar. Shalini Chandrashekar and their team have blurred the boundaries of the built environment with nature and the open and semi-open landscape areas offer respite from the heat and are integral to the overall design that embraces the studio’s biophilic philosophy.

Related: 5 hospitality venues that speak of biophilic design

A bold exposed framework forms the structural skeleton and the main studio space encompasses a series of semi-circular arches and built-in metal sections. From the exterior, the double-storey studio space presents as a single tall façade, while the interior of this area is bifurcated by horizontally laid terracotta blocks on the upper half and cement arched panels on the lower. Metal sections complement and showcase the materiality that also helps abate the heat and allows for cross-ventilation.

Forming the first entry is the central court, a landscaped garden with a stone pathway, but once inside, there is visual connection throughout the interior as the design pushes the ideas and practice of collaborative learning. The ground floor provides the open space for designated workstations and there is also a powder room.

Taking centre stage, and linking the floors, is a sage green circular metal staircase that leads to the mezzanine discussion area and the founders’ office. Providing continuity, the staircase railing extends further into the mezzanine to form a type of parapet and there are excellent views of the ground floor activities and the solid bilateral façade.

The uppermost floor is a private space for the founders of the practice but also becomes a conference and meeting space for staff and clients. A feature of the office is the material library, originally a shipping container that has been retrofitted into the new workspace.

Related: Mohalla Clinics: Portable healthcare solution in India made from used shipping containers

A terrazzo floor on the ground level was cast on-site from recycled broken chips and the inclusion of steel, concrete and terracotta juxtaposes hard with soft and adds texture and layering. Furniture is minimal and all work desks, chairs and tables were crafted on-site from birch ply wood atop metal legs.

A flat roof has been employed, built in three layers to support a system of solar panels that help meet the electricity requirements of the studio. A rainwater harvesting system is incorporated into the design to help sustain the people and the studio.

Related: 10 incredible projects that nurture nature

Taliesyn was established in 2010, co-founded by Ar. Shalini Chandrashekar and Ar. G S Mahaboob Basha. The practice works across the Southern Indian frontier and designs primarily residential, hospitality, recreational, institutional and cultural projects. Taliesyn explores the interaction of people and objects, materiality and the spatial quality of every commission to best suit the site, people and culture.

With its own studio, the practice has achieved a vision for working that embraces collaboration and communication. The design is both creative and innovative and Taliesyn Studio is an exemplar of best practice in function and form that is a beautiful and bespoke working environment.

Photography by Niveditaa Gupta

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