THE STORY OF TWO DIFFERENT TYPOLOGIES

Ar. Nisha Matthew Ghosh employs a similar strategy in order to sculpt two distinct typologies by using a few standard features in order to extract the core of their distinctiveness… In the 4,000 square feet of space, there is a community health, research, and training center. Both Bangalore Baptist Hospital (BBH) and Workzlab, a co-working facility, are handled in a unique manner, despite the fact that they have commonalities in the way they approach design. First and foremost, the hospital community center is opened up by glass barriers that provide transparency and visual connectedness. Additionally, white glass writing surfaces that are reflecting and refractive are used to optimize the amount of natural light that enters the co-working area. An effective contrast is created between the natural light and a well-articulated play of deep tones. At BBH, the community space, which is a trapezoidal stepped transparent space, is purposefully encased in warm hues of dark tones and juxtaposed against the rest of the open spaces. These open spaces are reminiscent of a large light-washed verandah that is adorned with loose open-ended walls, which is a reference to the traditional social spaces that are characteristic of the bungalow typology in Bengaluru. When used as a medium, color becomes an excellent tool for achieving a balance between warmth and coolness, cosiness and openness, and as a subtle differentiation between distinct parts within the overall design. For example, the central community area is adorned with charcoal grey and deeper blues. The all-enclosing envelope is a simple white plaster that is reminiscent of chuna color. Additionally, a splattering of color that creates points of focus can be seen in sofa fabrics, pin-up boards, the coffee bar, and other similar areas. Nisha, at workzlab, creates a virtue out of the dingy hallway by treating it as the darker foreground and ‘brand background’ leading to a light-washed co-working space. This is similar to what she does at workzlab. By producing a collage of colors, ordinary things like the dull conventional swivel chairs that are seen in an office setting are given a distinct identity. This, in turn, becomes a place of visual ownership for the people who use the seats. This is contrasted against a colour palette of glass writing surfaces, which provide a variety of different levels of transparency. In addition, weaving pendants made of stainless steel provide warm pools of light in specific areas on each desk in the common area, which helps to distinguish one workstation from the others. Added layers of personality are added to both projects via the use of unique characteristics. During the construction of the bbh project, flexibility is delicately weaved into the center core, which may also function as a seminar station when it is required, while still maintaining its visual connection. In a similar manner, cubicles are simply separated from one another by means of storage units and glass dividers depending on the persons and tasks involved. One further striking characteristic is the handmade lights made of anah, which emphasize the concept of indigenous communities as “makers.” The most notable aspect of workzlab is that it is able to accommodate twenty people who have individualistic social mindsets into a space that is only seven hundred forty square feet in size, while at the same time creating a shared hub of ideas through the use of ubiquitous glass surfaces that double as ideation boards. Although both initiatives cater to various purposes and societal mindsets, the uniqueness in a similar approach brings out a fascinating tale. This is the case even if both projects cater to different functions. Take a look at the pictures on the website indiaartndesign.com.