Geethica is a passionate material explorer, admirer of hand-crafted products, and dedicated artist. Studio Geethica Naidu embodies our philosophy of simplicity and clutter-free design, reflecting our love for modest and unassuming architecture. This studio serves as a versatile container for Geethica’s diverse artistic pursuits, including weaving, painting, and pottery.
Project Concept
The brief for the project was modest yet diverse, requiring spaces for a jacquard loom, painting and art display, team workspace, studio, waiting lounge, and boutique. We envisioned the building as a solid rock cube, hollowed out and appearing to float above the ground. This design approach resulted in a structure that is simple, solid, and grounded, with the lightness and transparency of timber and glass fenestration set back from the front, enhancing the floating effect.
Spatial Planning
The building is planned along an east-west axis, exposing the longer surfaces to the north and south. This linearity allowed us to delineate different spaces from the entrance on the east to Geethica’s personal workspace on the west. A large, form-finished slab hovers over the entrance foyer, creating an intimate arrival experience. A 40′ long wall with a small water body and landscaped edge forms the backdrop to the foyer, extending out to conceal a small OAT on the southeast corner.
From the foyer, the space opens into a waiting lounge that connects to a garden on the north and conceals a pantry and restroom behind hot-rolled clad panel shutters on the south. The waiting lounge leads to a central, 20’x40′ long double-height space for displaying the handloom and engaging visitors in the craft of weaving. A cantilevered RCC stair on the west side of the hall leads to the upper floor, housing Geethica’s office/workspace and a gallery for her paintings. Geethica’s workspace opens out to a deck space connecting the interiors and exterior.
Material and Lighting
The cuboidal masses are clad with thin strips of neutral-toned natural stone, creating a monolithic feel. Sleek metal doors, wooden windows, and form-finished concrete slabs add harmony to the earthy material palette. Inside, whitewashed walls neutralize the exterior warmth and focus attention on the exhibits. The terrazzo flooring used for the entire project compliments the idea of a rugged workspace with its simplicity and its timeless aesthetics. Skylights throughout the roof bring natural diffused light into the double-height weaving space and gallery, enhancing the experience over time.
Exterior and Landscaping
The exterior features tropical plants with large leaves and flowering shrubs, softening the solid structure. Large cantilever slabs along the double-height volume create expansive deck spaces and landscaped beds on the north and south sides, integrating nature with the built environment.
Sustainability
Sustainability was a key consideration in the design of Studio Geethica Naidu. The building’s orientation along the east-west axis maximizes natural light and ventilation, reducing the need for artificial lighting and climate control. The blank wall on the south side and large cantilever slabs protects the interior from the harsh south sun. The use of skylights further minimizes energy consumption by providing abundant natural light. The materials chosen, including natural stone, terrazzo flooring, timber, and glass, are locally sourced and environmentally friendly. The landscaping features native tropical plants, which require less water and maintenance, contributing to the overall sustainability of the project. Rainwater harvesting systems and efficient water management practices have been incorporated to minimize water usage and promote conservation. The lofty and airy interior spaces has minimized the use of artificial lighting and cooling mechanism resulting in low energy consumption.
This atelier was pictured as an edifice that will leave behind a lasting impression with its bold usage of materials and thoughtful use of volumes.
| Project Type | Commercial |
| Location | Bengaluru |
| Client | Geethica Naidu |
| Project Status | Completed – 2024 |
| Plot Area | 11,195 sq.ft |
| Built-up Area | 5,310 sq.ft |
| Photographs | Ram Naresh |
| Structural Engineer | S. R. Shankar |
| Contractors | Chandru |
| Team | Pramod Jaiswal, Divya Ethirajan, Yash Singhi |
