WRITERS DEN

Designed by AMJ, an architectural practice in Chennai led by Mahalakshmi Jegadeesh this writer's studio nurtures stillness.

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With a brief to create an office that would nurture stillness and focus, while carrying just enough character to inspire imagination, AMJ Architects have created a space that is just that.

The project, titled the Monolith Studio, is a 1,200 sq ft writer's office in Chennai, envisioned as a retreat that balances functionality with atmosphere. The client, a writer by profession, wanted more than a conventional workspace. "His request was for it to be quiet but not empty, minimal but not cold — a place where words could flow as naturally as light," shares Mahalakshmi Jegadeesh, Principal Architect, AMJ.

START FROM THE BASICS

The site presented challenges from the outset. The apartment handed over was dilapidated, termite-infested, and burdened with an outdated layout. Partition walls cut off natural ventilation, and windows were unable to bring in daylight effectively. The overall ambience was heavy, dark, and disconnected — the very opposite of what the client envisioned. The design approach began with subtraction: dismantling inefficient partitions, clearing the visual clutter, and opening the space into a more fluid, connected environment. What emerged was a plan anchored by a single central wall. This wall became the project's spine — consolidating services, including the bathroom, while freeing the rest of the interiors to remain open and expansive.

TRAVEL INSPIRED