With its linear form, glazed façade, and landscape integration, the new GOMA Headquarters by Ar. Nayan Shah sets a benchmark for contemporary workplace design in Thane.
The new GOMA Headquarters in Thane, designed by Ar. Nayan Shah, Principal Designer, Palindrome Spaces, is a 75,000 sq. ft. workspace for the industry leader in high-pressure engineering and process technology. Conceived as a place that embodies the company’s values—grounded, global, growing, and grateful—the building’s modern architectural expression is defined by a clear linear form and expansive glazing that seamlessly supports its everyday functions.
The building occupies a corner plot, surrounded by dense greenery that visually and climatically integrates with the built form. Balconies at every corner on each floor, along with a semi-open executive terrace, create breathing spaces and extend visual connections to the landscape. The glazed exterior maximises daylight while collapsible awnings and strategic façade orientation reduce heat gain, contributing to a stable interior climate. “The client was clear about wanting a space that feels light, transparent, and forwardlooking without being ostentatious,” says Nayan Shah. “We worked towards achieving that through restraint both in form and material.”
The reception area on the ground floor sets the tone with natural stone, indoor planting, and filtered lighting. Meeting rooms are positioned for easy access and discretion, while a nearby coffeehouse creates a more informal space for daily interaction. On the first floor, an auditorium, serviced by a functional canteen, accommodates multiple event formats, encouraging conversations beyond formal roles. It benefits from the use of reinforced cement concrete (RCC) post-tension structural system, which allows for wide spans, high clearance and open plans.
On the second floor, a specialised lab forms the nucleus, surrounded by agile workstations and collaborative pockets. The interiors of this Process Innovation Centre are kept visually quiet with a muted material palette to enable focus and clarity. Stainless steel is used extensively for its hygienic and durable qualities, particularly in the lab zones. Colour coding is applied across departments to support orientation and reinforce identity. The third and fourth floors house open, functional workspaces. Over 250 desks are arranged to ensure ease of movement and visual connection across teams. Breakout zones appear throughout, offering places for informal exchange, short games, or reflection. These simple insertions enhance everyday rhythms of the office.
The top floor is reserved for the leadership team. Executive cabins and assistant areas are arranged around shared lounges and meeting points. Here, a sculptural ceiling installation, drawing from the principles of fluid dynamics, translates the company’s technical focus into a spatial expression. Custom-designed executive desks with sculpted bases further this narrative. Material choices are consistent throughout. Marble, screed, and concrete-finish tiles define different zones. Floor-to-ceiling glass partitions maintain transparency without disrupting spatial clarity. Ceilings integrate lighting into fluid forms, referencing the company’s background in fluid technology without overt symbolism.
Services across the building: HVAC, electrical, water treatment, and networking, have been centrally planned. Dedicated consultants were brought in for each system to ensure reliable performance and ease of maintenance. This careful planning is evident in the clean ceiling profiles and the seamless integration of lighting, ducts, and network cabling. Sustainability is addressed through several key strategies. A zero-discharge sewage treatment plant and greywater recycling system handle all wastewater requirements, while passive cooling is enabled by shading devices, green buffers, and deep balconies. The HVAC system is energy-efficient and has been calibrated to meet the building’s needs without excess.
The GOMA Headquarters is a focused response to a specific brief. “Here, architecture is purely functional,” explains Nayan. “Every design and planning decision, from the structural system to material application, supports clarity, function, and the company’s long-term vision,” he adds. The building creates an environment where innovation is supported by discipline, and daily operations are elevated through thoughtful spatial choices. And in doing so, it becomes a place that remains rooted to its core, while allowing the scope to grow one step at a time.
Photography: PHX India
