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Architecture

10-08-2025

Text provided by Marri Nitya Chandrika

Located in Ichalkaranji, a city in the state of Maharashtra, India, the client owns a narrow studio space in a time-worn commercial complex alongside the numerous textile stores, constrained by inadequate natural light and limited openness due to surrounding buildings. The spaces are zoned among different floors and detached from each other, leading to a disengaged user interaction. To create an interactive workspace, the need to shift to a unified floor was perceived by the client, with a dream of creating a distinctive space that establishes an identity to the firm.

The client, a Chartered Accountant, envisioned the need for an open working space to encourage communication and interaction among each other, enhancing the productivity of the firm. This initiated the thought of zoning the workstation in centre and placing the cabin and other spaces around it which act as buffer zones ensuring a balanced blend of privacy and collaboration. Further for this workstation a modular grid was developed according to the space required for a single person. The grid was detailed into “L-shaped units” providing a personal enclosure for each individual. The central workstation is constructed entirely from granite stone, a material chosen based on the traditional architecture of the city. This choice helps create a monolithic appearance and eliminates the visual clutter of a crowded furniture assembly in the workspace.

The screen on the west façade binds all the spaces together. The angular placement of interlocked stone planes helps in reducing the heat from the west while the mist cooling system helps to enhance the passive cooling measures. The stone-woven screen also integrates a seating area, that creates a spill-out space between the formal workstation and the extended informal seating. The intertwined stone screen with planters and varied fenestrations creates a scenic play of light and shade throughout different time frames of a day.

Ichalkaranji,Maharashtra,India

Architects	:	PMA madhushala
Area	:	1829.86 sq. ft.
Year of Completion	:	2025
Website	:	https://www.instagram.com/pma.madhushala/

Reception area of Modular Monolith by PMA madhushala

Reception of Modular Monolith by PMA madhushala

Seating Area & Planter of Modular Monolith by PMA madhushala

Workstation from reception of Modular Monolith by PMA madhushala

The corridor on the east is the main spine connecting all the spaces that creates a pause along the way by hosting a library. Crowned with an assembly of arches, the passage draws its impression from the traditional archways of the Raj-Wada Palace, this background of local identity enables a hidden connection with the users. These arch modules of distinct sizes are fabricated, assembled and suspended from the ceiling, thereupon weaved by local artisan on-site, which aims to capture the city’s culture and rich heritage of handloom industry, accomplishing a notion of abstract presence of traditional art and craft forms in present time.

Workstation of Modular Monolith by PMA madhushala

The decision of utilizing stone as primary material, in every element has led to maximize customization and has reduced the out-sourcing of furniture. Minimal material variations were considered with stone, glass, wood and woven mats. The approach to utilize locally available material and regional artisans for work has anchored in making the project cost efficient.

The monolithic usage of material and depiction of cultural heritage evokes a sense of permanence, grounding, and tranquillity, while also connecting the space to its origins.