Embracing the Industrial at the Ironside office space in Bangalore, India

Studio Dashline embraces the industrial and prioritizes collaboration at the Ironside office space in Bangalore, India.

‘Ironside’ is a 6,600 sqft duplex office space designed to embody the industrial essence of a metal manufacturer. The concept focuses on reflecting the rugged nature of the client’s business through a harmonious blend of materials and architectural elements, resulting in a functional yet visually captivating layout. This design strikes a balance between utilitarian purpose and aesthetic depth, mirroring the core identity of the organization.

At the centre of the design are communal workstations arranged around four structural columns, accommodating eight people per unit. These workstations, emphasizing industrial authenticity, feature a robust metal I-section as their backbone, while marble surfaces fan out like airplane wings, creating a striking contrast between raw metal and refined elegance. This theme resonates throughout the workspace, promoting an industrial yet cohesive aesthetic. Transitioning from the communal area to private cabins, the design showcases metal accents in bespoke hanging lights, enhancing the industrial vibe. Storage solutions follow a unique kitchen-inspired layout, integrating upper and lower units around a central countertop. A two-foot dado provides versatile space for personal items and essential equipment, while a concealed air conditioning system, hidden behind a metal grill, maintains a minimalist aesthetic.

Architectural elements are celebrated rather than concealed, with structural columns and ceiling capitals prominently featured. Corten steel accents, with their warm, weathered patina, pair with cement-finished walls, grounding the space in raw texture, while a sleek black grid ceiling conceals essential services. The flooring, laid in four shades of grey tiles, adds texture and movement without overshadowing the overall design. The layout promotes collaboration in the central workstations, while private cabins and meeting rooms cater to focused tasks. A dramatic angular metal staircase serves as a sculptural focal point, illuminated by a triangular skylight, enhancing the interplay of light and shadow throughout the office.

The upper-level shifts tone, balancing industrial rawness with spaces for rest and rejuvenation. Leadership cabins offer privacy while maintaining connection to the collaborative energy below, and a terrace café surrounded by greenery provides a peaceful retreat.

Project Planning

The planning process for the ‘Ironside’ project involved significant collaboration across multiple levels of the organization. The C-suite played a crucial role in shaping the design vision, ensuring the space aligned with the company’s identity as a metal manufacturer. Their inputs focused on integrating industrial aesthetics with a functional layout, emphasizing the importance of reflecting the business’s raw and rugged ethos through materials, architectural elements, and spatial arrangements. Additionally, the leadership underscored the need for an environment that fosters collaboration and productivity while maintaining a visually striking and cohesive design.

Employee feedback was equally important, collected through pre-planning surveys and engagement activities. These efforts aimed to understand workplace preferences and needs, including the functionality of workstations, storage solutions, and communal areas. Employees highlighted the importance of open layouts for collaboration, personalized storage for efficiency, and spaces dedicated to relaxation and well-being. These insights directly influenced features such as the centrally located communal workstations, the thoughtfully designed storage systems, and the inclusion of a terrace café to promote work-life balance.

The project also required addressing unique design challenges that involved extensive research and innovation. For example, the bespoke workstations, featuring metal I-sections and marble surfaces, demanded meticulous engineering to achieve the perfect balance between industrial authenticity and user comfort. The sculptural staircase, illuminated by a triangular skylight, required precision in design and execution to ensure structural integrity while creating the intended interplay of light and shadow. Furthermore, the integration of industrial materials like Corten steel, cement finishes, and custom-designed metal accents needed careful material studies to maintain both aesthetic coherence and practical functionality.

These collaborative efforts and targeted research ensured that ‘Ironside’ is not only a testament to the company’s industrial roots but also a workspace that seamlessly blends rugged design with operational excellence and employee well-being.

Project Details

The ‘Ironside’ office seamlessly blends wellness initiatives, branding, and unique design features. The terrace café, with its sandstone tiles, greenery, and skyline views, offers a refreshing retreat for employees. Branding elements like Corten steel accents, cement-finished walls, and custom metal workstations reflect the client’s industrial roots. The sculptural metal staircase, illuminated by a skylight, serves as a striking centerpiece, while workstations inspired by aeroplane wings combine industrial rawness with elegance, creating a functional and visually impactful space.

Products 

Floor Tiles – Nexion

HVAC – LG

Bathroom Tiles – Sidrons

Grid Ceiling – Comet Ceiling

Architectural Lighting – Light Space

Office Chairs – Featherlite

PHOTO

Texture Paint – Icon Cemantart

Cabin Table Lamps – Fleck 

Ground Floor Meeting Room Hanging Light – Jainson Emporio

Ground Floor Conference Room Hanging Light – White Teak

Sanitary Fixtures – Jaquar

Overall Project Results

The ‘Ironside’ project successfully navigated several change management challenges, particularly in transitioning employees to a space that emphasized open layouts and industrial aesthetics. Initial resistance stemmed from concerns about adapting to the unconventional design and integrating the raw materials with day-to-day functionality. To address this, workshops and engagement activities were conducted to familiarize employees with the new design elements and layout, ensuring a smoother transition. Clear communication about the design’s intent—highlighting its reflection of the company’s identity and focus on collaboration—helped align employee expectations.

Post-occupancy feedback revealed high satisfaction with the space’s functionality and aesthetics. Employees praised the central workstations for fostering collaboration, the terrace café for promoting wellness, and the custom storage solutions for enhancing efficiency. The sculptural staircase and integration of natural light were particularly appreciated for their visual impact and contribution to the workspace’s openness. One surprising outcome was the overwhelmingly positive response to the raw, industrial materials, which many found energizing and inspiring, rather than austere. These results affirmed that thoughtful planning and engagement can transform potential challenges into opportunities for alignment and innovation.

Design

Dheeraj Bajaj | Principal Architect & Designer

Pranav Dakoria | Principal Designer

Shriya Sohi | Principal Architect & Designer

Photography

Yash R Jain