More Than Just an Office:
- Tanvi Namjoshi
- May 30
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 3
A space that breathes our values
Write-up by Tanvi Namjoshi
Through thoughtful design that echoes SJK's values, Tanvi Namjoshi talks about how our studio space has become more than a place of work.
Graphics by Shruti Yelane
Our office
The morning light spills through the glass doors as I step into the office, the warmth of the sun stretching across the floor. I drop my bag, settle into the rhythm of the day, and make my way to the pantry. The coffee machine hums as the aroma of coffee fills the space. Stepping into the balcony, I pause for a moment with my cup and look out onto the bustling promenade of Gateway of India. As I take the first sip, my mind drifts—not to the day ahead, but to the space around me. As I soak in this quiet moment, my eyes wander across the space—every detail, every corner, is a reflection of the values that have shaped SJK Architects over the last 30 years..
Office in the making
Three years ago, this office looked very different. We inherited a space with a low mezzanine floor, small cabins, low ceilings and closed off balconies. The windows were tiny, and sunlight barely reached the interiors. We had a clear vision—to open up the space, let sunlight and wind move freely, and create an environment where work feels fluid. We knew this space needed to be more than just an office; it had to adapt seamlessly to meetings, focused work, collaborations, celebrations, and more. After exploring multiple iterations, we arrived at a flexible layout with a workstation area, a small meeting room, and a large adaptive meeting room with varied seating clusters like work table, diwan seating, sofa-armchair setup, allowing the space to shift effortlessly between different functions.
BEAUTY MATTERS - and by throwing away the excess we were able to access beauty. In the way natural light shifts through the day, suffusing the space with bright morning eastern light and creating ever-changing patterns by afternoon. As the sun sets, the space transforms under the warm glow of artificial lighting. The brass pendant lights—some sourced from Chor Bazaar years ago, others custom-made like the large brass dome in the partners’ den—cast a soft, diffused glow. Whether it is the focused energy of work during the day or the relaxed atmosphere of an evening discussion, the lighting quietly shapes how the space is experienced.
For the doors and windows, we looked back at our office archives, studying past proportions and experimenting with slimmer wooden sections. The shelves followed a similar process of exploration. We considered various fixed storage options before settling on the simplest, most effective solution—IKEA shelves that seamlessly function as both a library and a display, holding past project models, materials, and books. In every decision, research has been our key—learning from what exists, questioning possibilities, and refining ideas to arrive at a design that truly works.
Once you start noticing the smaller details, you’ll find artworks and objects scattered around our office—the mirror with crow feet, the beautiful illustration behind the diwan nook, a watercolor doodle of colleagues from years ago. These little keepsakes, gifted by past and present team members, each carry a memory. Synergy Lifestyles, whom we’ve worked with since 1997 on multiple projects, did the upholstery for our office, adding a personal touch. These aren’t just objects, they are fragments of partnerships that have grown with us, shaping both our projects and the way we work.
Our main meeting room is a perfect example of how a space can hold emotions. It starts as a focused work area but naturally transforms into a shared lunch table, where we all squeeze in to share food and ideas. A place of discussion, debate and celebration—shifting from a meeting space, to a projector zone and, on occasions, a vibrant garba night! This fluidity is at the core of how we design—not just for function, but for the emotions that shape the experience of a space. After all, human emotion is a powerful motivator, and we remain sensitive to both the people we work with and the impact of the spaces we create.
This sensitivity extends to the smallest details, in the most mundane spaces like the pantry. The proportions of the pantry were designed for accessibility & comfort, after having observed Soni Mavshi’s daily routine, who has been a part of our team for years. It’s a small detail, but one that reflects our approach—balancing the larger picture with thoughtful details that enhance everyday experiences.
Beyond this, our office culture is shaped by a shared sense of responsibility. Following a hybrid work model, we don't have designated personal desks. It’s about making sure the energy of the space remains positive for everyone. After all, people thrive when they take ownership of their decisions and are involved in co-creation.
At the end of the day, this office isn’t just where we work. It’s where our values come to life. It represents us as a collective. It’s a space that lets us think clearly, create freely, and connect meaningfully. And as I take the last sip of my coffee and step back inside, I know that this place isn’t just designed for work—it’s designed for us. At the end of the day, this office isn’t just where we work. It’s where our values come to life. It represents us as a collective. It’s a space that lets us think clearly, create freely, and connect meaningfully. And as I take the last sip of my coffee and step back inside, I know that this place isn’t just designed for work—it’s designed for us.
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