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Hyderabad-based Urban Zen has designed the Rolf Benz Showroom in New Delhi, which is a German furniture brand’s office building. Located in a crowded area, the open-plan office spread over 7130 sq. ft. spans over three levels. The entrance is six feet above the street, with the raised floor three feet higher than the entrance and the basement accommodating the old showroom is six feet below the street. The skyline is a waterproof MDF with a plywood backing finished with a white paint texture from Italy.

Coloured Italian tiles form the 12-feet-long reception table breaking the entrance’s grey scheme, and metaphorical trees illuminate the space. Wooden planks on the ceiling display Frankfurt’s pedestrian crossing converging towards the existing spiral staircase to the entrance’s extreme right. The green wall and water feature incorporated at the end of the entrance maintain a humidity level conducive to keeping the leather products resilient. Wooden steps adjoining the green wall take one to the upper floor three feet higher, with a railing detail with rope.

Low-height partitions between the furniture ensure a visual continuity in the open-plan office, and the design incorporates lanterns, flowers and wooden flooring. Teal and brown shades in the bedroom are blended with blue and green and candles and table runners, indicating German-made furniture adapting to an Indian environment. Fibre-optic lights with Swarovski crystals cast the right radiance on the furniture pieces resting on laminated wooden flooring, and are raised above the concrete floor. Divided between five bedroom sets and one dining set, the absence of skirting defines the simple and minimalistic raised level.