Constructing an office and studio for one’s architectural practice presents both a stimulating challenge and an exciting opportunity. When Funktion Design embarked on establishing their own studio, their aim was to showcase their distinctive conceptual approach and innovative structural exploration, characteristics that have become synonymous with their portfolio.
Project name: Funktion Design Studio
Architect’s Firm: Funktion Design, Bangalore
Design team: Monika Revankar, Pradhan Biddappa, Haridas
Project location: Bangalore, India
Completion Year: 2022
Gross Built Area (square meters or square foot): 3000 sqft
Lead Architects: Madhusudhan Sridhar
Photo credits: Adarsha R
Situated on a 40 feet by 40 feet south-facing plot in the vibrant residential enclave of Sanjaynagar, Bangalore, characterized by densely packed low-rise structures, the site enjoys the shade of two majestic Gulmohar trees along the roadside. These natural elements, towering at approximately 9-10 meters, offer a verdant contrast to the surrounding urban landscape.
Given the optimal light and ventilation conditions in the upper levels of such densely populated areas, the design strategy naturally evolved to capitalize on this context while redefining the traditional typology of architectural office spaces.
Spanning across the top two floors, the studio’s layout is carefully curated to maximize functionality and aesthetic appeal. The uppermost floor serves as the public face of the studio, housing meeting rooms, a conference hall, and a reception area. In contrast, the floor below accommodates studio workstations seamlessly integrated with the canopy of the Gulmohar trees. These floors are encapsulated within a striking aluminum-clad structure perched on a concrete portal at an elevation of 8 meters, with elongated balconies adorned with recycled teak wood louvers, providing protection from the intense southern sun.
Suspended from the concrete portal below is a glass-walled mezzanine, currently repurposed as an art gallery, with plans for future expansion into a social space.
Funktion Design’s architectural language is characterized by a captivating structural expression. Three imposing concrete portals, each measuring 9 meters by 8 meters, serve as the primary support system, augmented by steel frameworks for the studio and meeting areas. The suspended mezzanine gallery exudes an ethereal quality, resembling a translucent lantern enveloped in vertical wooden louvers functioning as a climate screen.
Inspired by the brutalist architectural movement of the 1960s, the concrete portals exhibit a distinctive form, widening at the apex and tapering along all dimensions, evoking the graceful limbs of an animal. The nuanced variations in dimensions across the cross-section impart a sense of delicacy to the imposing scale.
Utilizing a material palette dominated by concrete, steel, and wood, Funktion Design celebrates craftsmanship and resourcefulness. Recycled teak wood sourced from demolished houses and the organic finish of the raw concrete portals reflect a commitment to sustainable practices and intuitive execution. The interior spaces resonate with a harmonious rhythm, courtesy of white-painted steel deck roofs and structural members, complemented by polished plywood cabinetry and wall cladding. The choice of green kota stone flooring in the studio and recycled wood in the meeting areas further accentuates the natural aesthetic.
