Photo Caption: MYVN Architects' take on futurism, coding and their ingrained minimalistic approach to design translated into a single long central element, that became the highlight of Bangalore-based Codemancers' office

Bangalore-based coding company Codemancers approached MYVN Architecture with a brief to create an engaging, interactive and inventive office space that reflects their precise and complex coding ideology. The architects had a clean floorplate of 1,260 square feet to play with for the interiors. Their take on futurism, coding and their ingrained minimalistic approach to design translated into a single long central element that became the highlight of the space. The central component is a two-part design: a single long massive worktable for the whole office space, balanced by a strong ceiling volume that takes the form of a light installation. Taking inspiration from the clients’ field of work, MYVN, headed by principal architect Elayaraja Mayavan, envisioned a programmable light source, using the most elemental of design forms – the line.

Material Exploration

An attempt to create a strong, yet subtle element at the centre initiated the architects’ preliminary material explorations. Acrylic, with its inherent flexibility, has lent itself well to this complex installation. What began as a continuous volume, however, had to be fragmented into smaller panels due to the shortcomings of the material onto which etching was done to create a myriad web-work of lines.

The light source has been concealed within these curvilinear layers, creating an ethereal cloud-like appearance, against the pitch black ceiling, changing at every turn.

Visual Variations

An aura of visual movement is sensed within the installation, as one walks past the vertical panels. The quality of light that falls at the tips of each of these panels sways with the play of lines on them. The intricate pattern is the result of a design programming process that works with balancing interior graphics along with the use of various depictions of the line.

Clutter-Free Design

The long worktable, though it appears to be suspended from the ceiling, is held up by four metal rods that run to the floor. The architects have adopted a clutter-free approach to plan the ancillary spaces. Seating, cafeteria, recreation, and admin areas are organized around the central core volume.

Alternate Work Nooks

The exterior glazing is framed by black boxes that double up as seating, storage and alternate work nooks. Glimpses of green can be perceived in between the voids, neatly concealed between the seats.

The meeting room is a black glass box, designed to minimise exterior distractions for the user: A space to solely focus and concentrate, it is lit by warm dim lights, otherwise shrouded in darkness.

Patch of Green

The cafeteria and recreation spaces are emphasized by a pop of olive green on the walls, simply lit by lights suspended from the black ceiling. Ample natural light from the exterior glazing washes over the admin and seating spaces, lighting up bits of the central core element as well. This project is an emphasis on simple, clear planning with a unidirectional focus on a single strong element. The high-tech treatment of this component gives an insight into the future of design, not necessarily within office interiors, and its focus on the smaller details.