National heart-throb and actor Salman Khan’s charitable venture, operating under the motto of ‘doing good while looking good’, ties up with Mandhana Retail Ventures Ltd; to create a line of youth apparel under the brand ‘Being Human’, the proceeds from the sales of which contribute to support the activities of the Being Human Foundation.

Their office space located in Mumbai, attached with their flagship store has been designed by the Ashleys to achieve just that – to do good, while looking good! Functionally smooth and aesthetically refined, the ‘Being Human’ office comes through as a delightful space to work in or to visit.

7000 sq ft of double height space capped with a vaulted ceiling has been treated with minimal fuss and maximal warmth to create a youthful verve within a tranquil environment. Retaining the brick texture of the peripheral walls with white paint covering it helps to heighten the sense of volume while brightening the entire interior. 

Carrying the colour scheme further through the space, the use of white on more vertical panels dividing the cabins and workstations, clubbed with near-grey blues and almost-off-white beiges on other surfaces completes the sense of undisturbed peace as well as seamless continuity in the layout, despite not having completely opted for the rather clichéd open plan system. This arrangement, conversely, generates a lot of vertical storage space throughout the area of the office within the divider panels. The loft space above the cabins has the MS portal filled in with black polished mirrored surfaces which enhance the space with their starry reflections of the ceiling spotlights.

In fact, the alignment of the workstations and cabins along the direction of ribbing in the ceiliing, which gets highlighted by the linear lights concealed within the ribs, lends a unique streamlined character to the space. That does not make it boring or officious in the least bit, what with the perky sketches, graffiti and giant text adorning the walls, where potted plants daintily green dot the white painted brick arcade in the periphery!

The two conference rooms have been designed to be able to merge to form a large seminar hall when required.

And, to add the right bit of quirk to the settings, like a dash of seasoning to a healthy soup, the reception lobby seating consists of metallic verandah seats fitted on to hand-cart frames positioned under a grassy turf of a pin-up board! The light coloured slatted wood frame of the reception desk and its backdrop exude warm and playful vibes, that any visitor would instantly connect with.

Finally, the attached retail space presents the perfect study in contrast as the décor goes all rocking as an apparel store should. Dark walls and ceiling with amber lights, including a spider chandelier and graffiti set the tone for a chilled out display of colourful clothes for the young and fashion conscious. 

The colourful patch of floral tiled carpet facing the entrance beckons to laze on the grassy knoll atop the big ‘Being Human’ lettering and indulge in guilt-free clothes shopping...