Interior Designer Transforms Warehouse Space Using Colors and Shapes Instead of Traditional Walls
Sayart
sayart2022@gmail.com | 2025-08-13 05:35:15
When visitors step into a warehouse located in Bangalore's Turahalli Forest, they expect to find the typical industrial environment: concrete surfaces, echoing emptiness, and the lingering scent of dust. Instead, they discover an extraordinary transformation crafted by interior designer Megha Dugar Jain for her client, THE ROOOM, which completely reimagines what a 2,500-square-foot warehouse space can become.
Megha's innovative approach treats interior design as a form of storytelling, orchestrating visual environments where each zone unfolds with its own unique character. Rather than simply selecting materials or choosing colors from standard palettes, she creates what she calls "visual microcosms" that allow visitors' eyes to naturally group elements together, forming mini-worlds constructed from carefully chosen combinations of color, texture, and form. The absence of traditional walls becomes not a limitation but an invitation for exploration, allowing boundaries to blur and new relationships to emerge between different spaces.
Central to the design philosophy is a conceptual character called "Mr. Folds," who serves as what Megha describes as the silent protagonist of the space. This isn't an actual person but rather represents the spirit of transformation itself – the magic that occurs when ordinary elements are folded, either literally or metaphorically, into something layered and unexpected. Mr. Folds embodies the gentle mischief behind every crease in the design, the reason a simple panel suddenly suggests complexity, and why every corner seems to reveal more than visitors initially notice.
The main area showcases a dramatic transition from the soft peach monochrome of the entrance to a bold black-and-white interplay that defines different functional zones. The reception area features a striking curved counter with a crisp white surface sitting atop a terracotta jaali base, whose geometric patterns allow light and air to flow through while creating intricate shadow patterns across the floor. Above this centerpiece, a flowing metal arch structure partially divides the space without completely closing it off.
These architectural arches serve multiple important functions: they guide visitor movement, frame views into adjacent areas, and add sculptural elements that draw the eye upward. Megha has strategically used these features to suggest boundaries rather than enforce rigid separations. The arch motif repeats throughout the space, creating a visual rhythm that helps tie together disparate elements while each arch functions like a portal, inviting visitors to step through and discover what lies beyond.
Among the most playful elements in the space are what can be described as "orange splooshes" – organic, fluid shapes that break up the geometric precision of the checkered floor pattern. These vibrant orange forms appear to spill out from the staircase area, defying the grid system and introducing elements of surprise and whimsy. The stairs themselves continue this orange theme, creating a bold visual statement that draws visitors upward, with some splooshes even appearing underneath table legs.
These unexpected fluid shapes prove particularly effective because of their surprising nature. In a space defined by careful planning and intentional design moves, these organic forms feel almost rebellious, as if the orange paint developed a mind of its own and decided to ignore established boundaries. Megha describes this effect as an "optical illusion of spillage," an artful disruption designed to intrigue and delight visitors. These moments of controlled chaos provide relief from more structured elements while serving as subtle wayfinding devices that guide visitors through the space without obvious signage.
The origami inspiration takes physical form in the sit-out area, where an extraordinary plywood panel transforms a simple wall into a sculptural masterpiece. This application isn't delicate paper folding but rather origami principles applied to rigid materials, creating dramatic angles and planes that catch light and cast ever-changing shadows throughout the day. The technical achievement of coaxing plywood – a material that naturally resists bending – into complex folds requires both engineering knowledge and artistic vision.
As natural light moves across the folded panel's surface throughout the day, it comes alive, revealing new dimensions and details that weren't immediately apparent. Visitors often find themselves compelled to touch these surfaces, trying to understand how something so solid can appear so dynamic. The panel serves as a focal point in the sit-out area, which opens to views of the surrounding Turahalli Forest, creating an interesting dialogue between the geometric precision inside and the organic forms of nature outside.
Complementing these architectural elements are custom-crafted "berge" decorative panels that adorn various walls throughout the space. These panels feature intricate, flowing patterns carved into plywood, celebrating the natural grain and texture of the wood while adding another layer of visual complexity. Unlike the folded panels that create dimension through physical manipulation, these berge panels achieve depth through intricate surface patterning that resembles topographic maps or flowing water.
What makes Megha Dugar Jain's transformation ultimately successful is her unique approach to spatial division. Instead of erecting walls to separate different functions, she uses color, material, and thematic elements to create distinct zones that maintain connection to the overall space. Active, human-centric areas burst with vibrant colors and dynamic forms, while display zones adopt more restrained palettes that focus attention on products themselves.
This strategy creates an environment that feels both cohesive and varied, allowing for different experiences within a single open space. Transitions between zones feel natural rather than abrupt, guided by subtle shifts in flooring, lighting, and materials. While each area maintains its own character, recurring elements like curved forms, organic patterns, and thoughtful material selections create a visual language that unifies the entire project. The space succeeds because it balances structure with spontaneity, allowing for moments of surprise within an overall framework that makes intuitive sense.
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