We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer The Grid Architects about their original and creative Office design work. The Grid Architects is an award-winning architectural designer, that makes our world a better place with their original office works.
The Grid Architects ("TGA") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Farmers Den Office. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
TGA : The conceptual approach was to maintain ethos of the traditional to the contemporary and to visually retain the light and shadow of the surrounding trees, back to roots, local tinge and keynote were connections, transcending convention.
TGA : The area surrounding the office is lot of land for agriculture and belongs to the owner himself. Since the client was a simple farmer, we aimed to fashion an office workspace for him which reflected his personality and bringing in nature as part of design and enhanced his daily life. The Spaces congregated to provide maximum coherence to the landscaping.
TGA : The plan is to reach this design to as many as possible so that the people realize that a sustainable and economical project is possible easily, it’s a shared aspiration that we work for.
TGA : About 2 weeks
TGA : As the client wanted the design to be simple and open space to sit and no AC. The client is a simple famer and his elementary brief was to develop an office to take care of his farms and a workspace for his next generations to further this passion in organic and sustainable agriculture. A space which would reflect his personality that is grounded to earth, and natural materials, warm and friendly. He was habituated to sit out in the open and so the philosophy was maintained/ embibed.
TGA : Client brief helped to translate the idea and this followed our ideology too
TGA : We would like to encourage the local farmers and people that design by a designer can come out with exceptional results which are economical and sustainable and user friendly.
TGA : Most people would like to have a luxurious office with AC etc. what sets this apart is that this is a farmer’s office and is true to the functions for which it has been designed and conceived. Its about rawness and honesty to the material and the concept. The entire office feels open and light reflecting the philosophy of sustainability and eco-friendly, surrounded by greens, exuding a comforting vibe. It is important for the workspace to be enjoyable and resonate a feeling of energy and truthfulness.
TGA : Since this was a workspace for a farmer and his future generations so the name came naturally
TGA : Autocad, sketchup
TGA : The innovative workspace was designed to foster collaboration and conversation preserving the comfort zone of the client. •Under the sun, the natural stone reflects light and its surface changes colours as the sun moves. It reduces the energy consumption and the emissions of CO2 to the atmosphere, increasing the quality of life. Moreover, natural stone blends nature and design to make the spaces that are inspirational and progressive. A more efficient façade clad in natural stone requires less heat generating or dissipating power and increasing ventilation to circulate the air and keep the building cool. •The building is slightly raised on a platform flowing into the surrounding vernacular landscape and waterbodies accentuating the overall openness and the sloping roof subtly cues architecture and interior. •The Spaces congregated to provide maximum visibility to the garden. • Local species of trees amalgamated with water and fish and turtles developing its own ecosystem and insect repellent plants have been incorporated. •The rainwater would directly fall into the waterbody from the sloping roof and thus the fishes would receive fresh water. •SOUTH WEST has been integrated in the design with raised mounds and tall trees so as to protect from the harsh heat and sunlight of the city.
TGA : As local materials were sourced so all local labour and craft was encouraged.
TGA : Local technology and common sense. To ensure that resources are judiciously used.
TGA : We started with the thought that be sensitive to the local culture and natural environment. Some of the research included studying the Sun path, local materials, local soil quality, sustainable materials with low carbon footprints and means and ways to construct environmentally conscious spaces.
TGA : a)Use of natural materials stone b)SOUTH WEST has been integrated in the design with raised mounds and tall trees so as to protect from the harsh heat and sunlight of the city. c)Use of shingles on the sloping roof releases a chemical after the first rain which lead to the death of the fishes in the waterbody that surrounded the whole raised plinth. We then tested the water in the lab and resolved the chemical issue. d)The private office / cabins are adjoined by a water body and a breakout space - wall to protect from harsh sunlight of the south west, creating beautiful shadows and daylight shimmering water adding vibrancy to the space. There are punctures in the breakout wall to guide the breeze which cools as it flows through the water before entering the cabin. which It is fully glazed to echo the greenness outside.
TGA : our project is simple and built with humble and sustainable materials and techniques, low maintenance, low carbon footprint. The purpose of the design was achieved as per client’s requirements and our philosophy. The project is close to nature and the design approach was honest
TGA : The project can be delivered at its best by having simple solutions, local and sustainable materials and local labour. Our approach and willingness need to be positive and we need to be persistent with our beliefs are our learnings.
