We were asked to design a flagship store for a progressive and enterprising handmade paper company. Since it was to be on a leased land it was important to keep the costs to minimum. This limitation triggered a discussion on optimum construction systems. Our ongoing research curiosity in frugal precast components often used in the boundary walls and rural houses found its laboratory
here. After much deliberations with clients and an all-encompassing mock-up, clients were convinced of the system and the budget it could curtail. Almost halving the construction costs. This led to multiple tests and dimensioning combinations to put these disparate concrete elements together into a Lego-like comprehensive kit of parts. Can this mundane kit of parts be used to create spaces that are graceful and inspirational? So far, we had only seen them being used for boundary walls, cabins, makeshift housing and the rural houses.
 

The plan - well spread-out into retail, community and social spaces was equally loaded with courtyards, gardens and verandahs. This softened the experience of the building primarily built using industrial materials. The distinction of a garden in a building or building in a garden constantly dissolving as the greens take over the spaces. Departing from their original brief, clients introduced a café - building upon this charm that landscape had brought in - turning the space into a warm and cozy social space with multi-retail experience. The industrial finding company with the hip.

Mundane turns into superlative just like Clark Clint turning into Superman! Unassuming at first but enchanting truly.