When one envisions a Chartered Accountant’s office, opulence is rarely the first thought—let alone an Art Deco-inspired space with a contemporary twist. But for architect and designer Shrutika Raut of SRDS, following the norm was never on the table. Tasked with transforming a 1,020-square-foot residential flat into an open-plan office in Pune, she set out to craft an environment that balances timeless elegance with a modern touch.
“With the client’s family business dealing in stone, he wanted to integrate this legacy into the design by making it the primary material,” Raut says. Serendipitously, stone is also an intrinsic feature of the Art Deco style—which celebrates its centenary this year. “Rather than a purely ornamental presence, we chose to emphasise the stone’s structure, texture, and functionality, allowing the space to retain the essence of Art Deco while evolving beyond its conventional aesthetic,” she explains.
Bringing this marbled vision to life, however, did not come without its challenges. The space, originally a residential unit, had to be reconfigured to accommodate a fully functional office. “Walls had to be removed, then the zoning needed to be rearranged,” Raut shares. “But it didn’t end there because our defining element was stone, which we sourced from Parrees Store in Pune. The weight and scale of the material posed a logistical challenge, especially with a site as compact as this. We had to be meticulous in our planning and coordination to pull this off.”
From the outset, visitors are immediately welcomed with the charm of a bygone era, reimagined with a modern finish. The stark black basalt flooring, in contrast with the ample light and incorporation of Banswara marble, creates a harmonious blend of texture and materials. The material palette, intentionally restrained, allows the depth of textures to take centre stage. The core elements—Banswara marble, green marble, basalt, and teak wood—create a cohesive and grounded environment, perfect for a Chartered Accountant’s office.
The pièce de résistance—a luxurious mosaic column—“bridges art and architecture”, while honouring the cultural significance of expert craftsmanship. “Far from a mere structural element, the pillar is a sculptural expression, delicately detailed with Indian stones—Agra red, Jaisalmer, Dholpur pink, Banswara marble, and basalt—each weaving their own narrative into the greater composition,” says Raut. “It doesn’t simply stand; it asserts itself, recasting stone as a creative material, as is observed in the Art Deco aesthetic.” The pillar is anchored by a 600-kilogram Banswara marble seating block, sourced directly from the quarry, and hand-chiseled, adding a personal and tactile presence to the space.
Beyond the entrance, the co-working arrangement is designed to enhance spatial fluidity and minimise the sense of compactness. “Creating a workspace that fosters seamless collaboration was a significant factor for our client,” Raut clarifies. This configuration extends to the semi-private cabins, which are contained yet also have the option of being opened to the rest of the space. They emanate a further level of understated luxury, with green marble tabletops contrasting against the depth of the teak-panelled walls, and subtle built-in shelving for a careful selection of objects.
The entire suite of furniture is designed and custom-made by SRDS and a team of expert craftsmen, from the marble-topped desks to the cane-backed chairs reminiscent of mid-century modernism. “The bespoke marble-topped desks stand as functional sculptures, while the chairs and earthy tones of the teak table bases were selected to create a grounding balance against the robust stone and marble elements,” she elaborates. “They pair seamlessly with the sleek linear wooden light fixtures, illuminating the space, adding rhythm and continuity.”
Lighting has also played a crucial role in the creation of this illuminated and airy workspace. “With daylight accessible for only a short duration, the strategy centred on opening the east façade by expanding window sizes for maximum natural light,” Raut says. “As well as the tiered windows, the space above the discussion area was converted from the terrace into an area with a perforated metal sheet skylight. The skylight breathes life into the space with constantly shifting shadow and light patterns, which highlight the marble and stone textures of the discussion area.”
Much like the Art Deco style itself—born from a desire to blend opulent detail and craftsmanship with modern technologies—this office in Pune is a tribute to the ever-evolving power of design. The orchestration of each element, and the balance of textures, colours, and light, have transcended conventional expectations of corporate offices, allowing creativity and imagination to be nurtured.
