H+A Studio’s Surat workspace, aptly named Re:Form, redefines the idea of a design studio as a fluid, everevolving environment.
Design is rarely linear; it thrives in environments where ideas flow, collaborations spark spontaneously, and creativity wears many hats. Aayushi Gajjar and Harihar Lacewala, Principal Architects at H+A Studio, know this firsthand. In their own practice, design often oscillates between focused solo work and energetic bursts of teamwork – sketching, modelling, prototyping, editing, and presenting. “If design isn’t static,” they reasoned, “why should the space where it is created be?” Based on this philosophy, they shaped their 1,000 sq. ft. Surat workspace around two core principles: modularity, which allows the space to evolve as needs change and multifunctionality, where each element serves multiple purposes.
The studio design brings this philosophy to life, seamlessly shifting between different modes of work. A surface might hold a sketchbook one moment, support a scale model the next, and then transform into a table for a spontaneous team meeting. This adaptability ensures that the space responds effortlessly to both focused individual tasks and dynamic group collaborations. Translating this vision into reality, however, wasn’t without challenges. Modular furniture required precise planning, and sourcing hardware that was both functionally efficient and visually cohesive added another layer of complexity to the design. From the larger gestures – like multi-use partitions and tables – to smaller details, such as customized lighting and adaptable mounting systems, everything was designed with flexibility in mind. The space also had an eye on the future – surfaces could be dismantled, moved, or repurposed, allowing the studio to evolve alongside the team.
Starting with an intentionally modest entry and passage, the layout gradually opens up into the central area, designed to support collaboration. The rest of the studio unfolds around this central space, with partitions thoughtfully integrated to balance privacy and functionality. On the left, near the entry, is the conference room, while on the opposite side, work desks are arranged for the design team. Lining the rear of the central space are the principal designer’s cabins, and beyond them lies the terrace, extending the studio’s space for moments of relaxation and reflection.
Once inside the central space, a calm, grey-toned palette emerges, setting the mood with its quiet simplicity. Plastered walls and an aggregate concrete floor set a raw, clean foundation. Accents of primary red and blue colors add subtle pops of energy, creating a contrast that feels both vibrant and purposeful. Wood, birch ply, mild steel and stainless steel define the rest of the studio’s material vocabulary, coming together in honest, utilitarian forms.
Central to this space is a large, minimal furniture element crafted from plywood and metal. At first glance, it appears to be a straightforward rectangular volume, but its true beauty lies in its versatility. Quietly commanding the room, it adapts to the needs of the moment: a surface for storage, a place for seating, a table for discussion, and a workstation all in one. “We wanted to create elements that had the possibility to change,” says Aayushi. “It is so adaptable that we could take it apart and repurpose the plywood panels to build new tables in the future,” adds Harihar.
The conference room that lies on one side of this area echoes the studio’s ethos – functional yet welcoming. A custom bookshelf-style partition, composed of linear MS plates, allows natural light to stream through, softly illuminating both the central space and the adjoining workstations, while offering a sense of privacy that doesn’t feel closed off.
On the opposite side, the work area unfolds with a quiet sense of purpose. A sleek stainless steel partition defines this zone, offering privacy while preserving visual connectivity. The walls flanking the workstations are made from hotrolled MS sheets that not only provide visual privacy but also function as pin-up surfaces. “We added grooves to this paneling at standard anthropometric heights and sizes to help designers with visualization,” explains Harihar.
Moving beyond the workspaces, the principal architects’ cabins emerge – spaces designed for focus. Here, simplicity reigns. Straightforward horizontal planes create adaptable work tables and storage units that are as functional as they are minimal. These tables are designed to be reconfigured or removed and repurposed into new tables in the future. The MS pin-up walls make a return, offering both visual cohesion and practical utility. Large windows, facing the terrace beyond, allow natural light to spill in, crafting a serene atmosphere. The cabins are kept intentionally free of texture and decoration, prioritizing clarity and functionality. Here, as in the rest of the studio, subtle variations in texture and material introduce a touch of playfulness. Birch ply appears in different finishes – some stained red or blue, while other areas feature its natural shade, adding depth and interest without disrupting the focus-driven environment.
At the furthest end of the studio, the atmosphere shifts as the space opens up into a semi-open terrace – a breakout space designed for pause, conversation, and community. Whether it’s a quiet lunch, a spontaneous gathering, or a solitary pause, the terrace shifts effortlessly to accommodate. The modular furniture, custom-made by the studio, consists of metal mesh cube units – that expand into cuboid forms whenever needed – to create a retractable amphitheatre system. These modules also double up as seating, footrests, benches, and dining tables, adapting gracefully to whatever the moment calls for.
Rooted in modular logic and shaped by multifunctional intent, the studio is designed to move with the rhythms of its occupants – expanding, contracting, and shifting as ideas take form. It resists permanence in favour of possibility, a space that grows and changes naturally with the people who use it.
