Muselab Believes that Unicorns Exist

July 12, 2024

Muselab Believes that Unicorns Exist

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Muselab creates a space for their design collectives as a gift dedicated to the firm’s ever-growing tribe of dreamers, artists, and creative mavericks, and gives it a distinct voice of its own.

“Curious, playful, whimsical, and slightly off-kilter. Years of quietude have been replaced by incessant chatter, laughter, and daydreaming. Would I be too vain to think I am their muse, a space where they are themselves, with no filter?”

This is the tenet from which Unicorns Exist, a space in Mumbai, and MuseLab’s working office space, celebrates the decadal milestone of Muselab’s journey as a design collective, comes alive to celebrate creativity.

Going into nostalgia mode, the Principal Designers of MuseLab, Huzefa Rangwala and Jasem Pirani remembers, “Our journey began in 2012 in a 50-square-foot conference room. In 2015, we moved into our beloved ‘first’ office. At 300 square feet, this felt like home, teeming with life, and stood inconspicuously tucked behind the lattice façade screen, a landmark long synonymous with our roots.”

A growing team and abundant dreams soon craved another change of address for MuseLab. A six-month-long search that scoured through the city’s real estate landscape ironically made them retrace their footsteps to right this space in Prabhadevi, in southern Mumbai.

“This space is rustic, thrumming with activity, and yet is a poetic reflection of old Bombay,” says Jasem.

But being a design team that completes many projects in a year, all ranging in size, design and story-telling, how does MuseLab make sure that their creative acumen does not ebb and there is no repetition of essentials from project to project.

“As designers we respond to the clients brief which defines the aesthetics and the functionality of that very space and this is turn translates into moments and details that are relevant and specific to that project. It also helps to explore innovative materials and technologies, embracing site-specific conditions, engaging in rigorous programmatic analysis, and integrating sustainable strategies. A standard practice at our studio is to also encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, iterations through design phases, and prioritising user-centric solutions,” says Huzefa explaining the process behind their story and design creation.

In this project tactility is the overarching theme, evidenced by the rawness of the materials, colours, forms, and textures. The matte, grainy feel of the cool white walls meets the slate-like ebony floors, forming a fitting canvas for objects and experiences to find a home within. The formerly dissected floor plan was gutted, resulting in an open layout now inhabited by live-edge workstations.

But the centre piece of the design remains the spiral staircase in solid black that acts as the eye catching element, the drama in an otherwise calming space.

The generously sized windows and the changing symphony of internal heights frame views of the tree canopies and roofscapes while brewing a sanctuary-like milieu. An inwardly focused refuge to observe and create with daylight as a permanent resident.

The main floor hosts a double-height meeting space, crowned by the DNA chandelier crafted in collaboration with Jeet Soneji, a MuseLAB alumnus.

“Right behind, the central workspace assembles itself, culminating in the nook where we hunker down to ideate on the robust marble desk. The elliptical wood table by the windows creates a snug corner to savour meals and doubles as an informal discussion spot,” points out Huzefa.

“Objects are storytellers, and we have partnered with some cherished collaborators while peppering our studio with meaningful additions that celebrate craftsmanship and our story. Creations from the MuseMART universe make cameos, celebrating our experiments through the years,” adds Jasem.

Ancillary functions like the library, material inventory, and pantry are tucked neatly into the rectilinear space’s expanse.

“A ribbon-like spiral staircase splices the main floor and loft, whisking us away to a quieter nook where one can peel away and marinate in creative juices or squeeze in an occasional power nap,” says Jasem.

“Our curiosity and chameleonic design identity have made us believe in the impossible, in the mythical, in things that the world ceases to acknowledge the existence of, like unicorns,” explains the designers about their new home, that they feel is an extension of their personalities and ethos.

“Unicorns exist only for those who care to look closely. And you cannot convince us otherwise!”