The Japanese Resist Dyeing Technique Characterises The Red Dotted Facade of the Shibori Office | tHE gRID Architects | Gandhinagar

Snehal Suthar and Bhadri Suthar of tHE gRID Architects never stop surprising us with their innovative and distinctive designs. Located in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, this impressive site office, designed by the practice for a real estate development company, features a bright terracotta red concrete facade with circular perforations that create dramatic effects and patterns throughout the interiors. Christened, Shibori Office, the project is more than a workspace and surely narrates a love story between the shadow and light while adhering to the principles of Biophilia. Inspired by the Japanese resist dyeing technique, the circles/cutouts on the facade are arranged in a manner that allows ingress of sunlight in a controlled, comfortable manner. The design team told SURFACES REPORTER (SR) how the design nicely underscores the ethos of the company's upcoming schemes and how it has a direct impact on our psychological, biological, and sociological wellbeing. Read on:

Also Read: tHE gRID Architects Incorporates Local Materials and Biophilic Design in Eunoia Office | Ahmedabad

The office designed by tHE gRID Architects is informed by a wonderful connection between sunlight and shadow while following the principles of Biophilia. The design also highlights the core concept of the company's upcoming schemes such as imaginative expression, and connection with nature and natural resources.

Meaningful Screen

The building does not demonstrate a superficial façade treatment but a Meaningful Screen as an Architecture element serving as a functional element for the interior too. The purity of the structure in conversation with sunlight highlights the ethos of the design philosophy.

The story that unfolds is a saga of love between sunlight and the perforated screen, and the vibration it creates in the space. A clean, sensorial, and scenographic architecture here the pivot is the connection between the spaces, comprising of minimum elements. 

L-shaped Form With A Strategic Perforated Facade 

The idea was manifested as a simple L-shaped form with a perforated skin that acts as a sun-breaker, and, at the same time, creates a dramatic play of light and shadows inside. Spatially, the circles/cut-outs are actually a perforated entrance/envelope which welcomes sunlight and creates patterns that enact a powerful drama through the day.

The gradation of punctures is strategic: the larger cut-outs are at the bottom and the smaller ones are at the upper part to allow the sunlight to come in a controlled, comfortable manner. Further, the bright terracotta red concrete envelope becomes even more riveting and eye-catching under the sun’s effulgence.

Also Read: The Exposed Concrete Canopy Perforated With Varying Square Cut-Outs Features the Pixel House | tHE gRID Architects

Circular Forms Feature Japanese Resist Dyeing Technique

Light flowing in through the holes in a tin roof of a structure at the site became an unlikely inspiration, which was further strengthened by looking closely at Shibori, the Japanese resist dyeing technique characterised by circles and circular forms.  

The Dotted Effect of Sunlight 

Light is everywhere. Its dynamism and incredible ability to transform any space throughout the day by the drama it creates in conjunction with architectural features- is unmatched.

In this particular case, the epiphany was the rays of light flowing in through the holes in a tin roof of a structure at the site. The dotted effect of the sunlight had a powerful effect on that space, and the firm set out to harness a little bit of that power. The result was a perforated built fabric that was permeable to sunlight. 

Biophilic design

In tandem with sunlight, materials, textures, and colour play their part in the narrative following features of Biophilia. With an abundance of break-out spaces incorporating planters, shades and furniture they also allow for an environment that is more conducive to collaboration and innovation, which is becoming the norm in contemporary design today.

Pockets of courtyards play the dual role of unifying spaces as well as acting as an intervening buffer, positively impacting the indoor air quality and the health of users following principles of biophilic design. These also positively impact the indoor air quality and consequently, the health of users.

"Our buildings have a direct impact on our psychological, biological, and sociological wellbeing. We look for source of inspiration that promotes well-being, health, and emotional comfort. Biophilic design, seeks the innate emotional affiliation of human beings to other living organisms”, said the architects.

Also Read: This Biophilic Overture House Gives a Modern Touch to the Ancestral Malabar Style Architecture of the Region | Thought Parallels Architecture

Simple and Functional Interiors

The simple, fully grown, and functional interiors are articulated in MS, wood and ceramic patterned tiles.

These, too, are uplifted by the spectacular sciagraphy that unfolds through the day in the most effective way. The design team ensured to create a project that improves the quality of life while allowing natural comfort to its users.

They used light as a medium of well-being and a powerful design tool with biophilic design principles to reconnect the workforce with the outside world and stimulate their biological and emotional response. It's indeed a commendable project by the firm.

Take a Virtual Tour to SHIBORI Office Desigend by tHE gRID Architects

Project Details

About the Firm

tHE gRID is an architecture firm based in the bustling city of Ahmedabad Gujarat India and was established about 15 years back by the duo (spouse) Snehal has done his maters in sustainability and Bhadri is an Interior designer from APIED vidyanagar Gujarat. It is a multidisciplinary design firm which incorporates an array of design combinations and experiences, qualification and skills and deeply committed to excellence.

Snehal Suthar and Bhadri Suthar

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