Reinterpreting Intrigue

A corporate headquarters in Surat for a construction company, designed by The B.A.D. Studio rethinks the approach to visual curiosity, and how to transform these elements of intrigue from being strictly ornamental to heavily functional. Their design is intricately spliced and offset to create a visual diversion that also functionally benefits the spaces inside and outside the structure.

- Sharmila Chakravorty

Creating a sense of curiosity and intrigue is a classic trope in architecture. However, in most cases, the execution of it falls prey to superficial, ornamental elements of visual interest. But is that all there is? Can designers and architects go beyond this to create functional structures based on the idea of intrigue? The B.A.D. Studio seems to have cracked this with their design for a corporate headquarters in Surat for a construction company.

The clients had a fairly clear vision of what they wanted from the architects. The idea was to create a corporate headquarters that would set the tone for the client’s other projects in the vicinity such as high-end villas that have already been constructed, affordable housing formats that are under construction, etc. So, it was imperative that the site office cater to all categories of clientele, but also create a positive perception about its owners. The design language was thus required to take into consideration the built and unbuilt projects by the clients, tie them together to come up with a design that intrigues visitors and onlookers, and makes an impactful impression.