In October 2022, Studio Nishita Kamdar completed a striking legal office project named “Shadows,” located in the heart of Kala Ghoda, Mumbai, near the historic Bombay High Court. The design, led by Nishita Kamdar and Trishala Doshi, embodies the duality of the legal profession, reflecting both its austere black-and-white nature and the nuanced grey areas where lawyers often operate.
As one enters the narrow corridors, black-clothed lawyers are seen moving swiftly, their gowns flowing like a gentle breeze, creating an aura of mystery, authority, and frenzy. Once they shed their gowns and settle into their cabins, their true, more approachable selves emerge, revealing the complex characters behind the profession’s formal façade.
The office, housed in a prominent yet dilapidated Art Deco building, was initially a bare, rusted shell. The designers maximized natural light by positioning workspaces along the windowed side, while the central area was reserved for common functions like the conference room and pantry. A clear corridor separates the private cabins from the central conference room.
Given the profession’s traditional black-and-white palette, the design needed a refreshing change. Studio Nishita Kamdar opted for a clean, minimalist approach with horizontal and vertical lines representing the binary nature of legal cases. Grey, symbolizing the middle ground, is the dominant colour, with Iron Grey walls up to five feet high, accented by wooden strips that denote the legal system’s boundaries. Large windows and clear glass partitions ensure maximum sunlight penetration, enhancing the office’s open, airy feel.
Each cabin features dark furniture and grey walls, creating a formal, modern ambience. Unique light installations, handmade with banana fibre and hemp fabric, provide a distinctive identity to each room and become evening highlights, casting a warm glow in the otherwise grey and tense office environment.
The reception area offers a calming, zen-like atmosphere with a small seating area and an understated concrete reception table. The meeting room near the reception doubles as the office library. The central conference room, where debates and discussions unfold, features a large marble table illuminated by three distinct pendant lamps. An eight-foot artwork depicting an abstract horse serves as a focal point, symbolizing the relentless and dynamic life of a lawyer.
“Shadows” captures the essence of the legal profession, providing a crisp, clear space that reflects the daily transformation of lawyers as they navigate their roles in the justice system.
Project Information
Project Name: ShadowsÂ
Designer: Studio Nishita Kamdar
Team: Nishita Kamdar, Trishala Doshi
Location : Kala Ghoda Mumbai
Function: Legal Office Â
Size: 2900 sq ft
Photographs: Suryan and Dang
Year: October 2022