3dor Aapees Office, designed by 3dor Concepts, represents a thoughtful blend of professional and residential functions within a semi-urban setting framed by lush greenery on one side. Conceived as a mixed-use structure, the project aims to maintain a public, approachable character for the office areas while simultaneously ensuring maximum privacy for the residential spaces below. At the same time, the design establishes a subtle connection between these two distinct environments, symbolising the idea of work-life balance. SURFACES REPORTER (SR) highlights the clever balance of an environment that supports productivity while also remaining deeply attuned to everyday life through this project.
On the ground floor, which is the primary office level, the design begins with a veranda that acts as a transitional zone between the outdoors and the workspace.
Mixed-use structure
The 3dor Aapees Office building has been carefully positioned along the site’s natural slope, minimizing disturbance to the terrain and embracing the linear character of the plot. Surrounded by residential developments on three sides, the architects introduced a void within the linear mass to prevent visual and spatial congestion. This void not only reduces structural heaviness but also creates a visual bridge between the two floors. As a result, the residential levels beneath the office do not feel overshadowed, nor do the internal rooms suffer from dark, enclosed spaces. Instead, the void offers openness, interaction and a flow of light and air across levels.
The building celebrates concrete, with exposed finishes inside and out.
The basement level, reserved for residential use, follows an intuitive zoning strategy based on privacy requirements. Public areas, such as the living space, are placed toward the north-west, allowing the living room to act as a buffer against the intense warmth of the evening sun. A waterbody strategically positioned between the living and dining zones becomes a defining feature of the spatial experience. This element not only separates public and semi-private areas but also cools the interiors naturally. The gentle movement of water enhances the sense of calm while its reflective surface brings lightness and clarity to the indoor environment.
The adjacent terrace acts as both a viewing deck and an extended creative zone for team building activities, gatherings and outdoor working sessions.
Work-life balance
On the ground floor, which is the primary office level, the design begins with a veranda that acts as a transitional zone between the outdoors and the workspace. This thoughtfully crafted buffer softens the shift from public exterior to a professional interior. As one moves further inside, the office reveals an open, transparent environment instead of traditional cubicle-based layouts. A dedicated meeting space is placed above the residential living area, maintaining both privacy and spatial efficiency. This meeting zone overlooks the waterbody through an intermediate open space, while an attached balcony enhances the sense of openness and connects the workspace to surrounding nature.
Flexible and adaptive, this space transforms effortlessly based on the needs of the office, right from team discussions and internal presentations to informal interactions.
The first floor has been envisioned as a dynamic and multi-functional zone. Flexible and adaptive, this space transforms effortlessly based on the needs of the office, right from team discussions and internal presentations to informal interactions. Its openness, amplified by access to an adjoining balcony, makes it suitable for hands-on sessions such as model making workshops. The adjacent terrace acts as both a viewing deck and an extended creative zone for team building activities, gatherings and outdoor working sessions.
Its openness, amplified by access to an adjoining balcony, makes it suitable for hands-on sessions such as model making workshops.
Raw materials with smart zoning
The structure of 3dor Aapees Office stands out in its largely residential neighbourhood due to its raw and honest aesthetic. Every surface, from walls and floors to ceilings and openings, expresses materials in their pure form. The building celebrates concrete, with exposed finishes inside and out. Repurposed timber frames the openings, combining sustainability with craftsmanship, while shuttering marks on concrete ceilings add a layer of texture that speaks to the construction process. The flooring alternates between rough Kota stone and cement-finished patches, contributing to a grounded palette that feels both robust and authentic. Metal railings and stair elements reinforce an industrial character.
As one moves further inside, the office reveals an open, transparent environment instead of traditional cubicle-based layouts.
Despite its modernist expression, the building remains deeply rooted in local context. Large overhangs serve as protection against Kerala’s strong sun and heavy rains, while pivoted doors promote cross-ventilation and ample day lighting. Instead of replicating traditional architectural forms, the design reinterprets regional principles through a contemporary lens.
A waterbody strategically positioned between the living and dining zones becomes a defining feature of the spatial experience.
Project details
Project name: 3dor Aapees
Location: Chalad, Kannur
Type: Office
Studio: 3dor Concepts
Principal architects: Ahmad Thaneem, Muhammed Jiyad and Muhammed Naseem
Photographs: Studio IKSHA