Workplace architecture has seen a paradigm shift over the time. Today, where flexibility and identity have become must-haves, office designs need to incorporate more than just functionality—they must provide a unique experience. In tandem with this thought, The Tesseract by 23DDS, redefines the workplace by deliberately going against the status quo. This is no ordinary workspace—a meeting ground for multiple industries, from finance and mining to real estate and construction—its strategic mix of minimalist design elements, sophisticated integration of nature and the use of structural constraints to carve a spatial experience makes it a hallmark of workspace design, where business meets artistry.
The brief given by the client presented a dual challenge: to create a space that speaks to all—yet none—of the sectors, without being pigeonholed; and to incorporate indoor plants into the design scheme, without the complications of maintenance that typically come with them. Additional challenges were presented by the office’s location on the rooftop of a commercial building in Hyderabad’s Jubilee Hills, which meant that the construction was guided by structural constraints.
This office design is a study in contrasts and constraints; and their role in creating a unique spatial experience. Moving through the corridor—decorated in muted tones and characterised by a structural grid —the space unfolds in layers as one reaches the courtyard. Each element here is deliberately curated to evoke a sense of discovery. Unlike an open courtyard that one would expect, the visitors' to Aditya office encounter a closed courtyard illuminated by skylights. Drama is introduced to the space through an interplay of light, shadows and darkness, orchestrated through dimmer lights in the corridor spaces and even more so at the anchor points. Potted plants, as opposed to turfed landscape presents another departure from the conventions. More than just decor, the courtyard functions as gentle partitions, subtly guiding movement and separating spaces for introspection and interaction.
The varied nature of the client’s business and operations required the office to house admin teams, lounges and conference rooms in a way that visitors entering the space wouldn’t be able to gauge the real nature of the business. This has been ensured by dressing the spaces in a natural material palette, devoid of any industrial finishes. The entirety of the office relies on a restrained, yet rich blend of exposed concrete, light raka and black granite, which imbues it with a sense of permanence, while the monochromatic palette of the walls and roof, complemented by the chevron pattern wooden flooring creates a sense of understated luxury and a unified aesthetic appeal. Visual perception of space is altered by terminating vertical surfaces, such as walls and partitions two and a half feet below the roof level. This space is fitted with transparent glass to create seamless views of the coffered ceiling, further establishing visual connectivity of the space.
The real genius of the design lies in its nuanced understanding of the existing structure, upon which it is constructed. Built on a flat slab, the design conforms to pre-existing column placements, for structural integrity. The three feet and three inch half square grid—also an outcome of the structural constraints—manifests itself in the coffered slab, and guides the spatial layout of the space. Every partition, wall, and opening is aligned to this geometric module, creating a disciplined, harmonious rhythm throughout the space, which is cleverly offset by the presence of tropical plants housed in the courtyard.
Integrating nature, both visually and spatially into the design scheme is a critical aspect of the client’s requirement. Facing the north side, the office’s lounge, conference rooms and reception area enjoy unobstructed views of the Jubilee Valley, making nature an integral part of the office, while the planting scheme for indoor spaces has been carefully curated to incorporate a selection of mixed tropical species that require minimal maintenance. The inclusion of skylights above the courtyard allows natural light to filter through, ensuring the plants thrive without the need for an open-air environment, whilst avoiding challenges such as rain or insects. The varied nature of foliages, on the other hand, provide a counterbalance to the design’s rigid grid system, and a fresh influx of green when viewed against the austere material palette.
The intentional interplay of openness and enclosure; light, shadows and darkness; structured geometry and nature creates a layered sensory experience for those who work within and visit the office. By deftly balancing the functional demands of an administrative office with the sensorial experience of the space, the design enables a sense of discovery for people as they move through the corridor, the courtyard, lounge and workspaces. The result is a workplace that is neither defined by the stereotypes of the industries it serves nor limited by the site’s structural constraints, rather it carves a niche for itself. In doing so, The Tesseract presents a design that speaks of timelessness; one where understated luxury meets refined aesthetics and nature through a deliberate restraint that comes without any hassle.
