The office of Doshi Technologies

The Doshi Technologies office in Vadodara, India, is a testament to meaningful design and sustainability. Catering to manufacturers of electric industrial furnaces, the office reflects the client’s values of honesty and openness through transparent spaces and eco-friendly practices. The project features solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and natural ventilation while creatively repurposing scrap metal into furniture and art installations from the client’s production process. With lush landscaping, cantilevered cubes, and minimal aesthetics, the office is a serene and functional workspace, embodying a harmonious balance of design and functionality in a dense industrial area.

Project description

The project was built on an existing property adjacent to the production area, with three distinct zones connected by a central entrance. These include a conference space, a large open workstation, the managing director’s office, and smaller meeting areas. The layout prioritises openness, with transparent partitions ensuring an undisturbed light flow and interaction between spaces. The reception lobby serves as the nucleus connecting all functional zones while maintaining an inviting aesthetic.

One of the project’s defining features is its commitment to sustainability. We included solar panels to ensure a renewable energy source for the office and an underground water reservoir with a 30 m³ capacity to collect rainwater. Our design optimises natural light with large windows, eliminating the need for artificial ambient lighting during the day. Task lighting is used selectively in work areas, conserving energy further.

We ensured a minimalist and functional material palette with grey vitrified tiles and granite decking to create a cohesive visual language. We used UV-protected glass, drop-down screens, dense landscaping to reduce heat gain, ventilation slots, and large glass doors to eliminate the need for air conditioning, even in hot weather. The roof features greenery, which enhances insulation and offers a cooling effect to the spaces below, aligning with our sustainability goals.

Another unique aspect of this project is the creative use of repurposed materials. We transformed scrap metal from the client’s foundry, such as nuts, bolts, and discarded gears, into customised furniture, perforated screens, and art installations. These elements reduce waste and celebrate the client’s core business. The I-beam-supported furniture and gear-shaped ceiling lights are subtle reminders of the industry. In contrast, the outdoor deck furniture crafted from scrap metal is a clear fusion of functionality with artistic expression.

The cantilevered cubes are a striking architectural element, providing the illusion of floating structures. The cubes were strategically orientated to overcome site constraints while enhancing the building’s visual appeal. The surrounding landscape acts as a green oasis in the dense industrial environment, softening the building’s edges and creating a serene work environment.

The interior aesthetics were kept intentionally simple, with grey ceilings revealing the raw concrete slab and walls finished with POP punning for a clean look. We decided to use the pictures of the client’s furnaces as wall art to add a personal touch and create an environment that resonates with the company’s identity. The thoughtful integration of work and relaxation areas ensures a balanced environment for employees and visitors. The outdoor deck, surrounded by greenery, provides a tranquil retreat from the industrial setting, enhancing the overall experience.

The Doshi Technologies office is a benchmark for thoughtful design, showcasing how functionality, sustainability, and creativity coexist. By integrating sustainable practices, repurposed materials, and innovative design, the project serves the client’s immediate needs and contributes to the larger discourse on eco-friendly architecture. Its ability to merge aesthetics with practicality while reflecting the client’s values and aspirations makes it truly unique and impactful.

Architect Speaks

What makes this project special and unique?
The Doshi Technologies project stands out because it integrates detail-orientated design and sustainability. The use of repurposed materials like scrap metal from the client’s foundry reflects the ethos of their business while adding a personalised touch. Sustainability has been prioritised in every step. Sustainable practices, such as rainwater harvesting, solar panels, and natural ventilation, combined with a minimalist material palette, make the design eco-friendly and highly functional. The transparent partitions and open workspaces create a unified environment, embodying the client’s values of honesty and openness. The cantilevered cubes and lush landscaping add a visually striking, harmonious architectural element.

What major challenges did you face while executing the project? And how did you address them?
Integrating sustainability within industrial constraints. To ensure eco-friendliness, solar panels, UV-protected glass, ventilation slots, and rainwater harvesting systems were incorporated.

We repurposed production scrap into functional and aesthetic elements. We collaborated with skilled craftsmen to transform scrap metal into functional furniture, perforated screens, and unique installations to celebrate the client’s industry and align with our sustainability goals.

Creating a green oasis in a dense industrial area. The landscaping around the building and on the roof buffered the harsh industrial environment, offering serenity and insulation.

The existing structure retained its original character. The office space was thoughtfully extended to complement the production area, maintaining its unique identity while ascertaining functionality.

Why do you think the project got shortlisted for the award?
This project perfectly balances aesthetic appeal, sustainability, and functionality. Its innovative use of repurposed materials highlights the client’s core business while contributing to sustainable architecture. Our thoughtful design enhances the work environment, reflecting the client’s values of openness and honesty. Furthermore, the efficient integration of natural ventilation, renewable energy, and rainwater harvesting demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to eco-conscious design. The project’s ability to combine these elements in a compact yet impactful way resonates with the principles of modern architecture, making it an award-worthy candidate.

About the architect

Ar. Dharmesh Patel is an award-winning architect and Art & Architecture Associates (AAA) founder. The firm was established in 2005. With over 18 years of professional expertise, Dharmesh has shaped AAA into a multidisciplinary practice, with 50 professionals delivering innovative designs in architecture, interiors, and sustainable master planning across 9 countries. Renowned for integrating contemporary aesthetics with eco-conscious principles, his projects range from luxury resorts to urban developments. His work has earned him multiple international accolades, including recognition at the World Architecture Festival and Asia Design Awards, celebrating iconic projects such as The Earth House and ITC Mementos, Udaipur.

For more details, visit: https://www.instagram.com/aaa.works.in/

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