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ESCAPING THE CITY, EMBRACING THE CRAFT
Commercial Design
|August 2025
In Gwal Pahari on the quiet edge of Gurgaon and Delhi, groupDCA has unveiled a nature-wrapped studio that questions the need for creative spaces to exist within the heart of urban frenzy.
In its 27th year of shaping remarkable design legacies, groupDCA has unveiled a serene new home for its creative practice; a quiet, nature-embraced studio on the border of Gurgaon and Delhi. Moving from the bustling energy of Sultanpur to this tranquil retreat in Gwal Pahari, the studio's evolution is a testament to its enduring commitment to thoughtful, context-driven design that pays homage to craftsmanship, sustainability, and local heritage.
A landscape that Inspires
Spread across a lush 19,046 sq. ft. plot, the new studio stands untouched by urban chaos yet remains well-connected to the city. The site’s verdant setting offers a daily reminder of nature’s calming influence, gently framing every aspect of the design journey. Here, the studio's guiding philosophy, to create solutions that honour tradition and the environment, finds fresh expression. Mature trees, native plantings, and open courtyards create green pockets between built forms, inspiring moments of quiet reflection, chance conversations, and spontaneous creative exchanges.
Fragmented blocks, seamless flowIn keeping with groupDCA’s signature style, the studio's design adopts a fragmented layout, weaving together four rectangular blocks of varying footprints. Each block holds a distinct function, from the welcoming reception and meeting areas to principal offices, workstations, administrative spaces, and a convivial cafeteria. The spaces spill naturally into landscaped lawns shaded under thick canopies, blurring the boundaries between indoors and out.
This story is from the August 2025 edition of Commercial Design.
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