A wabi-sabi-inspired workspace design
“Our goal was to craft a workspace that feels calm, open, and honest, where natural materials and thoughtful design quietly inspire creativity and collaboration every day.” — ARA Designs.
ARA Design Studio’s new office addition, flooded with natural light and marked by understated beauty, is a natural extension of their existing workspace—an intentional evolution shaped by simplicity, clarity, and authenticity. This expansion was more than just a utilitarian addition; it was a personal journey for the team, with the goal of establishing an open, collaborative workplace while maintaining the intimacy of their previous office.
The design language is built around two main materials: warm wood and bright white surfaces. These elements work together to create a peaceful environment conducive to creative thinking. Every element, from the carefully selected natural wood finishes to the gentle neutral palette, conveys a sense of calm refinement.
The area’s main point is a sculptural parametric installation composed of stacked birch plywood sheets. This utilitarian structure, which includes a reception area, collaborative seating, and larger work tables, also establishes the office’s aesthetic tone: fluid, organic, and precise.
The open-plan layout is intended to promote transparency and connectivity. Large windows let in plenty of natural light, decreasing the need for artificial lighting during the workday. Senior architects’ desks are located on the periphery to maximise natural light and tranquillity, while the heart of the office serves as a collaborative space for team talks, brainstorming, and creative interchange. A conference room, a concealed pantry, and the founders’ private cabin all fit effortlessly into the arrangement.
Material honesty and craftsmanship are fundamental to the studio’s ideology. Limestone-crafted workstations, terrazzo flooring, and handmade carpentry highlight the tactile beauty of natural materials.
Even walls and ceilings have a homogeneous, smooth texture that blurs boundaries and maintains spatial coherence. Greenery, when carefully placed, offers a biophilic touch, improving both air quality and visual serenity.
Sustainability, albeit subtle, has been prioritised through energy-efficient architecture and sparse ornamental interventions. The challenge was not in intricacy, but in restraint—the deliberate decision to prioritise timelessness over trends. The end product is a workspace that exemplifies ARA Design Studio’s key concepts of simplicity, functionality, and beauty, all achieved through real materials and thoughtful craftsmanship.
Design Talks
Can you walk us through the design style and the inspiration behind adopting the style?
Our design language is rooted in nature and simplicity! I’ve always been drawn to the raw, honest form of materials. The design draws heavily from wabi-sabi, a Japanese aesthetic philosophy that celebrates imperfection, transience, and raw authenticity. It is an ode to the beauty of restraint — rooted in minimalism yet layered with material richness. Here, every surface tells a story, every detail is deliberate. We brought in textures, subtle tonal shifts, and a certain softness that invites you to slow down. There’s also a balance between classic and contemporary — something that feels current but won’t date quickly!
How have colours and/or other details like materials, texture, etc. added value to the design?
I didn’t want colour to overpower the space. So, I deliberately customised the palette — mostly wood and white — so that the architecture could breathe. I focused on letting textures and natural light create depth. This kind of material consistency brings calmness to the environment, and it allows our work — drawings, models, discussions, etc. — to stand out against a mellow, supportive backdrop. I’ve used texture, rather than colour, as the narrative device. The grain of wood, the speckled randomness of terrazzo, and the finely grooved birch ply all contribute to a spatial rhythm that feels calm yet engaging. The only “decor” we’ve added are indoor plants, which add life and movement without cluttering the space.
How have you prioritised sustainability in your design?
Sustainability was not approached as a feature, but as a design ethic. One of the primary passive strategies employed was maximising natural light. With large windows lining the perimeter and an open-plan configuration, the space basks in daylight, significantly reducing the need for artificial lighting during working hours. And, our use of indoor plants gives way to better air quality and acoustics. Every décor element is live greenery. The choice of real cement terrazzo and responsibly sourced wood further reinforces our intent to build consciously, using materials that are both durable and environmentally grounded.
About the designer
ARA Designs was founded by Ar. Amey Dahanukar in 2011, whose understanding of modern and contemporary art and style is diligently integrated within the site and location context.
Amey completed his Bachelor’s in Architecture in 2008 from Rachana Sansad’s Academy of Architecture, Mumbai. He then pursued his Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from Newcastle University, UK. He grew up surrounded by architecture in his early years, thanks to his father Ar. Avinash Dahanukar. And, from there began a never-ending love for architecture and design that led to the creation of his firm, ARA Designs.
For more details, visit: https://www.aradesign.in/
