STUDIO PRAKRUTHI

Lume Haus is a family office located on the terrace of a commercial building. This home-like office is a flexible space for meetings, discussions and official get togethers.

 

The cumulative building footprint continues to grow rampantly in India’s landscape. Every moment, we lose natural groundcover to concrete plinths that lay the foundation for a ‘glorious’ building to satisfy the growing needs of the human population. As a young Architecture and Design practice that we are, we struggle in the grey area, with a constant dilemma between how we can contribute positively to this paradox of living. When the opportunity presented itself to us, to design an office space on the rooftop of an existing commercial building, we came upon a moment of sigh! A chance to design a building on an existing building – a temporary shelter within which there will be a place of work. 

 

Our design is such that its existence is not a byproduct of sacrificed land and vegetation, but instead, it is merely a building upon an already existing building, that may be dismantled and moved elsewhere if the need arises. It is the peace of mind and balance that this thought brings that translates into the zen, natural mood of the space. 

 

The composition of the temporary structure is as such – an Aluminum grid clad with dark stained birch wood, held in place by recycled teakwood beadings. We made a conscious decision to not use industrial grade glue to bind the materials, instead use nails hidden within the teakwood beadings to keep the birch wood in place and the walls temporary in nature. The ceiling is natural green building certified acoustic panels.

 

With regard to the furniture, it is a combination of bespoke Studio Prakruthi objects and Danish classics. Each project has a special place in our heart and the furniture we design for each project are limited edition pieces, made specifically for the project and client making them one of a kind objects. The black stained Sycamore and birch plywood executive desks, marble top coffee tables inspired by Mid-century aesthetic are some of the bespoke furniture that was made for this space. 

 

“In totality, there is a comforting repetition in the space, almost like breathing – again and again. This draws parallel to the idea of finding success in relentless practice and consistency, what in essence is the philosophy I live by.” - Prakruthi Rao, Founder and Principal Designer​