Located in the posh locality of Surat, Gujarat, Gandhi House is designed by Bankim Dave Architects for an eminent lawyer as his Office with a guest house- where simplicity amalgamates with grandeur. The material palette is kept raw with exposed RCC work to blend in with the context. The façade expresses a contemporary look with the use of exposed concrete and framed wood- effect ACP sheets. The flow of spaces in the entire building is an amalgamation of privacy as well as transparency. The design approach was to connect and enhance the spaces with simplicity, elegance and monochromatic colour play. While it is meticulously planned and extremely functional, the building also portrays the journey from simplicity to dynamism with its contemporary façade. The firm has shared more about the magnificent project with SURFACES REPORTER (SR). Take a glance:

Also Read: Concrete Grey Meets Earthy Terracotta in Archohm’s Agra House

This ground plus three-floored building encompasses the Ground floor that provides a vast parking area with a beautiful landscape amplifying the ambience of the entrance foyer. The building has two access points; an internal staircase around the lift cabin for the private use of office members and an external staircase for the clients to arrive on the first floor.

Senior Lawyer’s Office

As known for lawyers, there are more discussions than table work, with discussions being more personal and private.

The Senior Lawyer’s Office is placed in the centre surrounded by his associate’s cubicles following the office hierarchy.

The Waiting area is designed in harmony with plants to keep the ambience calm, light and fresh.

The use of glass as a design material in the internal spaces of the Office has really helped to maintain transparency amongst them.

Also Read: Concrete and Wood, Merging on a Shade of Grey: Casa A

Direct access is provided to the senior advocate to a raised garden for relaxation during a hectic day along with an internal ‘secret’ staircase connecting to the upper floor that leads to the Second-Generation Lawyer’s Office- in case of any urgent discussions.

Second Generation Lawyer’s Office

Coming to the second floor, as the husband and wife, both are advocates; this Second Generation Lawyer’s Office comprises two individual work tables cornered by a coffee table where the client feels calm and comfortable in having an informal discussion which is one of the major and crucial aspects in a Lawyer’s Office.

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This level has a Library and a huge Conference room accommodating 12 people withtransparent cabinets made out of glass shutters, housing law books. A Pantry nearby alleviates and elevates the reader’s frame of mind amidst the chaotic routine.

Visual grading of vibrant color tones strengthens the aesthetic feel of formal and informal spaces in the Senior Lawyer’s Office for informal discussions.

Guest House

The most interesting zone and a part of this office building is the Guest House on the top floor which is set up for multiple uses- for the lawyers themselves to rest during lunch hours as well as for the visitors; since the lawyers are very well socially and professionally connected to various institutions.

It houses a spacious and vibrant living area, a dining area with kitchen, and two boho- styled guest bedrooms with attached washrooms.

Overall, it is indeed a ‘Journey from Simplicity to Dynamism for an Advocate’s Office.

Project Details

Other Credits:

Material Palette

• Polished Kotah Stone (1.2 m X 1.2 m)
• Textured Paint (Light Grey)
• Teakwood Veneer (with natural polish)
• Glass
• Framed ACP Sheets (wood- effect)
• Solid Acrylic Surface (Corian)

About the Architects

Bankim Dave

Bankim Dave is a practicing architect & interior Designer is a third generation Architect whose nature of work includes a range of projects spanning various sectors. Bankim was recently honoured with the Elder's Award at the First general Assembly of APSDA at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Oct. 20, 2017. He was the past President of IIID & Asia Pacific Space Designers Association (APSDA), Bankim is also Secretary General of World Council of Leaders of Interior Design. Conferred with “CIDI HONORARY MEMBER'' & recipient of the “2014 Hermes & Iris Prize for Leadership & Communication in Interior Design” by the Ibero American Council of Interior Designers. He boasts around 700 completed projects. Had the rare honour of being one of the five International Jurors to judge the International Design Award 2011 held at Herford, Germany. Subsequently, was also invited to present the said Awards at the grand Awards nite organized by Chulalongkorn University, Thailand in July, 2011. He was appointed as International Jury member by CIDI – IberoAmerican Council of Interior Designers for the fourth consecutive time to judge International Design Competition.

I.D. Ami Merchant

Ami Merchant – Associate of the Firm is a promising Interior Designer; carries with her a vast experience of thirty years in the field of Architecture and Interior Designing. Working with the famed architectural firm of Surat from the day one of her career; this talented and innovative Designer has the distinction of winning the first prize at national level for designing an exhibition stall for “Wood Polymers Product”. Dedicated as she is to the profession; Ami is also visiting faculty to the School of Interior Design run by AAERT, Surat since 1992 and Faculty of Architecture, SCET for Diploma in Interior Design since 2013.

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