Theater of Light

Alok Masterbatches, a firm specializing in the manufacture and processing of plastics, recently moved to new headquarters in New Delhi. Designed by vir.mueller architects, the project’s spatial narrative is defined by light. Reflected off surfaces, filtered through leaves, or sculpted by materials, natural light plays a role in every transition, defines thresholds, and heightens user perceptions. The building, located in the heart of an industrial urban context, is an engaging hub in which conventional ideas about the workplace have been swept aside by the idea of a theater in which light, materials, and flora are both stage props and the leading players.

The building’s appearance is defined by its structural framework, expressed on the façade with horizontal and vertical reinforced concrete bands that establish a crisp, regular visual rhythm. This framework is infilled with exposed brick, punctuated by narrow, elongated windows framed by granite, creating a tactile, vibrant surface. A canopy roof over the entrance marks a theatrical threshold, where shadows act as a prologue to the architectural narrative inside. Natural elements are an integral part of the composition, with the surrounding trees casting ever-shifting shadows across the façade, creating a constant dialogue with sunlight.

The entrance features a large steel and polished teak pivoting door. It leads to an atrium wrapped in concrete surfaces with a white marble floor that amplifies the sense of space. An apparently floating staircase, which traverses the atrium between the third and fourth levels, contributes to the narrative of lightness, movement, and suspension – a quite lyrical gesture suggesting the possibility of experiencing the space dynamically and non-hierarchically.

The building is organized around its large skylit atrium, with planters around its edges making greenery an integral component of the interior design.

The first-floor meeting room features a slatted timber ceiling that creates a warm atmosphere ideal for meetings. In the center of the room, a long wooden table with steel legs paired with dark ergonomic chairs adds a touch of modernity. The carpet features square geometric patterns in alternating shades of gray, generating a visual texture that suggests movement and fluidity. Adjacent to the meeting room, a café with tables and upholstered chairs opens to the outside, providing additional breakout space. Exposed services on the ceiling add an industrial touch.

With green sofas and timber detailing, the business lounge has a welcoming atmosphere that encourages informal gatherings in a quiet setting. On the top floor, a large terrace with panoramic views of New Delhi is an ideal setting for social interaction.

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Alok Masterbatches Headquarters

At the heart of the project is the large atrium, overlooked by the building’s multiple levels. Around its perimeter, large planters ensure that staff can enjoy the benefits of contact with greenery. © Lokesh, courtesy of vir.mueller architects

Alok Masterbatches Headquarters

© Lokesh, courtesy of vir.mueller architects

Alok Masterbatches Headquarters

With its green sofas and wood accents, the business lounge offers a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere ideal for informal gatherings. © Lokesh, courtesy of vir.mueller architects

Alok Masterbatches Headquarters

Exposed services on the ceiling add an industrial touch to the space, while glazed doors provide visual continuity between areas, combining functionality and design. © Lokesh, courtesy of vir.mueller architects

Alok Masterbatches Headquarters

Imagined as a kaleidoscope, the building is a theater of light. Its austere concrete surfaces are enlivened by interplays of light that illuminate the lush foliage of the interior courtyard. © Lokesh, courtesy of vir.mueller architects

Alok Masterbatches Headquarters

The façade, articulated by a reinforced concrete frame with exposed brick infill, establishes a dynamic visual rhythm that fully expresses the building’s materiality. © Lokesh, courtesy of vir.mueller architects

Alok Masterbatches Headquarters

On the top floor, the outdoor terrace offers panoramic views of New Delhi. The open structure with timber beams creates an ideal environment for outdoor meetings or just relaxing. © Lokesh, courtesy of vir.mueller architects

Alok Masterbatches Headquarters

Expansive glazing floods the building with natural daylight, ensuring healthy, comfortable work environments. Natural light is a fundamental element of the project, enhancing user well-being and productivity. © Lokesh, courtesy of vir.mueller architects

Alok Masterbatches Headquarters

© Lokesh, courtesy of vir.mueller architects

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