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Women-Led Workspaces in Mumbai that Infuse Vibrancy into Corporate Life

What unites these offices is how women have transformed them into fun, efficient, and interactive workspaces.

Shirline Dias Andrades

August 2, 2024

The memo is pretty clear: equal parts work and play. These workspaces in Mumbai are either piloted and engineered by women or designed for women. Post-pandemic, a clear demarcation was drawn between work and personal lives—newfound boundaries dictating company cultures, work-life balances, or work-from-home policies. But guess who had been acing this mantra before it was official? Women. Since primitive times, women were modelled to uphold culture over careers. And in time, they learnt to juggle both. Quite efficiently, even. With women ascending corporate hierarchies and challenging the status quo, a sine qua non to make these workspaces fun and adaptable was on the rise. And the same is found in urban India.

For an exciting turn of events, we forayed into the city’s multistoried glass buildings to discover three interactive workspaces in Mumbai that have been pioneered by women. Gayatri Patel, founder and creative director of The G Story, helmed the atelier with the motive to create magic. Headed by Isha Ambani, the TIRA headquarters of the Reliance conglomerate was conceptualised on the premise of girl power. In one of the quaint localities of South Mumbai, a co-working allocation called Ministry of New instituted by Marlies Bloemendaal is continuing to shake up workplace mundanities. With an innovative intent in hand and confidence in the other, these women-led spaces undoubtedly are exemplary in interior design and quite a treat to the eyes!

The G Story, designed by Deshna Kasliwal Design Studio

A monochromatic stretch of pink meets one’s eye at the reception area of The G Story studio. Against the wainscotted walls, two coral-themed chairs get cosy. Image Credit: Wabi Sabi by Janvi Thakkar

Location: The G Story, Lower Parel, Mumbai
Founder & Creative Director: Gayatri Patel
Architect / Design Firm: Deshna Kasliwal Design Studio
Date of Completion: July 2023
Store Layout: 1800 sq ft approx.
Image Credit: Wabi Sabi by Janvi Thakkar

The G Story, a content creation atelier dedicated to product branding and styling, is piloted by founder and creative director Gayatri Patel. Her design philosophy is intrinsically based on the belief that “Inspiration is everywhere.” The founder’s pal, Deshna Kasliwal, has ideated and designed the studio.

The subtle spread of pink continues. A giant telephone booth inspired by the London phonebooths stands alongside the reception area. Image Credit: Wabi Sabi by Janvi Thakkar

The joint cabins render a colourful visual—lilac-doused walls in one and pink-painted walls in another. Walls are embellished with moulded wainscotting and contrasting wallpapers. Image Credit: Wabi Sabi by Janvi Thakkar

From yet another perspective, a part of the joint cabin unveils a lime-green chair with camouflaging accents standing on the wall shelves. See-through glass doors comply with the notion of an open workspace. Image Credit: Wabi Sabi by Janvi Thakkar

The joint cabins, as seen from the pink perspective. Matching glass doors unite with the room’s theme. Various trinkets and souvenirs are displayed neatly on the backside shelves. Image Credit: Wabi Sabi by Janvi Thakkar

At The G Story, the narrative of positivity is promoted by inducing creativity, engagement, and work-life equilibrium. A chain of undeterred pinks, purples, lilacs, and yellows segues through every corner. By sousing walls in poppy tinctures and introducing creative segments, every designated space is allocated its own identity. The walls in the conference room are painted yellow to boost joy. At the same time, the giant telephone booth, reminiscent of the iconic London telephones, is actually used to receive phone calls.

A panoramic view of the conference room leads to the founder’s cabin. Shades of pink and yellows continue to dominate the interiors. Image Credit: Wabi Sabi by Janvi Thakkar

In focus: A creative corner in the founder’s cabin. The bespoke mirror piece is claimed to be quite the conversation starter. Image Credit: Wabi Sabi by Janvi Thakkar

In focus: A corner in the conference room. A disco ball chandelier hangs from the ceiling. Printed wallpapers and chairs in bright colours render this room a fun character. Image Credit: Wabi Sabi by Janvi Thakkar

A sneak peek of the founder’s cabin captured from the conference room. The Fuschia couch evokes a poppy anecdote of fun and cosiness. Image Credit: Wabi Sabi by Janvi Thakkar

TIRA Headquarters, designed by Ultraconfidentiel Design

Location: TIRA Headquarters, Godrej One, BKC
Executive Director: Isha Ambani
Architect / Design Firm: Ultraconfidentiel Design, Bandra, Mumbai
Date of Completion: June 2023
Image Credit: Caleb Ming

Seating alternatives are installed to grasp the city’s breathtaking views through large glass windows. Image Credit: Caleb Ming

Overlooking a panoramic view of Mumbai, the TIRA Headquarters sweeps a majestic carpet area on the uppermost floor of the Godrej One tower in BKC. A tranche of the Reliance conglomerate, the TIRA headquarters, was designed by the interior design firm Ultraconfidentiel Design. Their design philosophy is inherently rooted in TIRA’s cusp identity—a young, vibrant workspace endorsing diversity and inclusivity. TIRA’s office design is helmed on the premise of women empowerment, with the female gender symbol (♀) even inspiring the plan layout.

Workspaces in Mumbai — Under the halo of warm ceiling lights, pastel-toned upholstered chairs and couches are seen. Industrial track lights on the ceiling provide ample illumination. Image Credit: Caleb Ming

A contrasting set of black tables is paired with upholstered chairs. An expansive range of earthy tones and tinctures are observed here. Image Credit: Caleb Ming

Organic lines are ensconced into walls through mouldings, assimilating asymmetrical geometries and contours in the panelling. From decor inputs to upholstery, loud colours and shapes are steered clear of, and more laidback, playful, and elegant silhouettes are introduced. A collection of ovular-shaped couches and ottomans, rounded chairs and tables, cylindrical panelling, circular ceiling lights, etc., are installed to accentuate feminine attributes with decadence.

Two comfortable couches call for laidback conversations. Behind them, fluted glass screenings are installed, keeping the notion of an open office space alive. In tandem with the geometry, these panels are cylindrically sculpted and embedded in subtle champagne-gold frames. Image Credit: Caleb Ming

In focus: The cafeteria. Playful forms are incorporated for tabular and seating arrangements. An indoor plant inset acts as a privacy screening between booths. Image Credit: Caleb Ming

Corporate Designs — Nude, mellow tones continue to encompass the office interiors. Open booths in the cafeteria bring in engagement and conversations. Image Credit: Caleb Ming

In focus: The vanity. Resting atop a tall table, the mirror is embellished with golden bulbs. Image Credit: Caleb Ming

As a beauty-oriented brand, the nude, earthy mood board represents the broad spectrum of human skin tones. To synchronise with the existing theme, these muted pastel tones are married with warm lights and soft carpeted flooring. The indoor plants are allocated sections in various places to hint at biophilia. These biological elements symbolise the youthful and women-centric community present at TIRA.

Ministry of New, designed by Marlies Bloemendaal Design LLP

Location: Ministry of New, Kitab Mahal, 192 Dadabhai Naoroji Road, Fort, Mumbai,
Founder: Marlies Bloemendaal
Architect / Design Firm: Marlies Bloemendaal Design LLP
Date of Completion: April 2016
Store Layout: 8000 sq ft approx.
Image Credit: Neville Sukhia

Nestled in the colonial heritage site of South Mumbai’s Kitab Mahal, the Ministry of New is a design-led coworking space welcoming independent professionals daily. The founder, Marlies Bloemendaal, takes pride in designing this eclectic space herself. To pay homage to the original structure, Bloemendaal has amalgamated elements from Indian and European architecture. The entire space is a colourful, eclectic tribute to old Mumbai: its colonial, arched windows, tall ceilings, strong pillars, and cane-rattan furniture take us back to a simpler past.

She uses double-height ceilings, open-space layouts, shuttered doors, and original steel columns to restore the space without stealing focus from its rustic charm. Spanned approximately over eight thousand square feet, this workspace is doused in blue-green tones, signifying the city’s oceanic landscape. Trinkets and treasures from nearby bazaars also make their way here, dressing this rustic workspace in Mumbai’s original glory.

Cane lights illuminate the pathway on the courtyard’s verandah. Thanks to natural light, a row of biophilic elements pose as decoration. Image Credit: Neville Sukhia

Against a minimal backdrop, a zoomed view of the gallery shows a sudden burst of colour. Large windows in the back paint the room bright. Image Credit: Neville Sukhia

A zoomed view of the teal-painted library. A potted plant soaks in natural light. Image Credit: Neville Sukhia

Behind the partitioned doors lies a private cabin titled “The Beach”. Ample windows continue to fetch natural sunlight. Image Credit: Neville Sukhia

Corporate Design — A well-lit space featuring a conference table. Wall niches at the side observe a comprehensive collection of books. Image Credit: Neville Sukhia

In focus: The Café. A storage apparatus drops down the roof. Green wall tiles and sleek barstools give the café an element of fun. Image Credit: Neville Sukhia

This workspace in Mumbai is bifurcated into multiple areas—an expansive courtyard, a dedicated library, a gallery, private cabins, and a café. To deck the corners of this space, Bloemendaal selected decor items from the iconic Crawford market (located nearby) and even her favourite Manchaha pieces by Jaipur Rugs. Additionally, to never create the feeling of corporate claustrophobia, the breezy workspace at Ministry of New is peppered with greenery at every nook and cranny; the recurring green and teal colours are found on all sides of the room, through its paint, potted plants, furniture, and even lamps.

Whether it is the Barbie-inspired decor at The G Story, the contemporary vision at TIRA, or the post-colonial aesthetic at the quaint Ministry of New, Mumbai’s focus on design will always remain colossal. Now, we digress a bit and ponder how one gets work done in such creative offices! We must say that this Barbie will have to get back to you by EOD.

Design & Architecture in Mumbai

The parallels between Mumbai and design are endless. From cafés to markets and workspaces to boutiques, Mumbai’s trove of stunning design and inspiring architecture is consistently at its best. It is truly becoming an ode to its iconic history and multi-ethnological culture. The inaugural edition of India Design ID will take place in Mumbai in September 2024, shining a broad spotlight on the city’s design, architecture, and decor. Here, one will find the best product designs, bespoke collectibles, inspiring conversations, and the design community at large—all under one roof.

India Design ID Mumbai will take place from September 27th to September 29th, 2024, at Jio World Garden, BKC, Mumbai. You can book your tickets here.