Located on the outskirts of Chandigarh, in the quiet and green town of Lalru, the new
headquarters for Amnos Lifesciences reimagines the relationship between manufacturing
and office environments. The project began with a challenge: a massive blank manufacturing block with no fenestration, paired with an open-faced corner for the office. The design response was to integrate the two into a unified whole.
Project Name: Amnos Lifesciences Headquarters
Studio Name: House of DC
Location: Lalru, Punjab
Completion Year: 2024 Area: 5,500 sqft
Principal Designer: Ar. Gauri Dhawan
Photography: TakenIn Studios
A framework of vertical hollow metal pipes layered with metal mesh adds lightness to the solid mass, breaks its horizontal scale while laying the groundwork for the office block that unfolds within.
The carefully proportioned glass façade, with a visibly identifiable entrance, leads into the
reception area designed with restraint. A curved ceiling and sculpted seating soften the
geometry, counterbalancing the clean lines of the marble-adorned reception counter. This
harmonious foyer, a signifier of luxury and grandeur, transitions seamlessly into two
divergent moods: a red-toned waiting lounge on one side and grey-dominated circulation
corridors on the other.
The design narrative across the three floors is one of continuous transition. From subtle,
formal settings bound by natural and warm timber tones to neutral greys tied together with
foliage and finally vibrant moments of colour, the interiors evolve in tone and character as
one moves upward.
The staircase becomes a pivotal moment in this journey, its walls decorated by expressive
artwork: an intentional pause that slows movement and uplifts the spirit before opening into the expanse of the workplace. The handrail, reduced to its essence, conceals its supports while adding bold strokes of colour.
On the first floor, the open-plan workstations exude a soft yet colourful ambience, ensuring
comfort and focus while preserving visual cohesion. Light wood detailing supports the
interplay of tones, grounding the space in warmth. Dedicated cubicles and the terracotta
alcove booths are well-proportioned against pale blue ceilings, and their semi-enclosed
design offers intimacy within the larger expanse. Acoustic panels, thoughtfully integrated
into ceilings and walls, serve both visual and functional roles, absorbing sound while
accentuating rhythm. Lighting is handled with equal care: fixtures trace the grid of exposed
beams, turning structural necessity into deliberate design while unifying the whole expanse.
The executive spaces are tucked into quieter zones, refined by material shifts; carefully
selected wooden tones, ceiling baffles, and transparent glass partitions that allow natural
light to permeate the office area. The muted and abstract artwork on one side hides a
doorway.
The MD’s cabin balances restraint and refinement, with tactile wall panels and a bespoke
desk detailed in glass and white stone. The black mosaic washroom conveys a sense of
plushness within its intimate scale. The conference room ceiling creates a sense of closure,
while the point lights highlight and reinforce the mesh-inspired detail of the glass-topped
table. The expansive glazing frames the panoramic views, connecting leadership spaces to
the rhythms of nature.
The journey culminates at the café where the mood shifts to one of refreshment and pause.
Soft greens, playful glass partitions, and carefully integrated storage create a space that is
casual yet composed; a place where employees can reset amidst work.
Throughout the headquarters, the guiding ethos has been to “do more with less.” Materials
are celebrated in their honesty, colours transition with purpose, and each detail is tuned to
balance function with expression. The result is a workplace that is professional yet human,
understated yet layered with moments of surprise; a space defined by its subtle play of
transitions.
