Material Play

Located in the busy SDA market in New Delhi is the 1,500 sq ft, split level office of the young firm, Architecture Discipline, which showcases a conscious and innovative use of unconventional materials to form a space that’s both functional and spurs creativity.

- Sanjukta Nandy

“The practice of design is an on-going learning process, hence a design firm is like an extension of being in a school of design studies where the work evolves from continuous exploration,” says Akshat Bhatt, principal of New Delhi-based firm Architecture Discipline. He wanted his firm to have a studio that was an extension of this belief and which would be well-connected so that his team who usually keep odd hours could easily commute. Hence, Akshat chose to set up shop at the young, bustling start up hub near SDA market — in the outer ring road of New Delhi, centrally located near a metro station and near the vibrant IIT campus. The site was part of a complex from the late ’70’s where two levels adding upto 1,500 square feet were taken up.

The planning was executed to capitalize on the 1,500-square-foot space which is spread over two levels. It began with demolishing the existing masonry partition that ran throughout the space. The existing windows, which were partially covered by partitions, were removed to allow for sunlight. The existing vinyl flooring was removed and refurbished with residual Sottsass-inspired Flotex carpets from old projects to form an interesting collage on the floor, thus complimenting the exploratory feel of the space. The old toilets were demolished and redone to make space for a paper pantry.