2025 Winner

Category - Architecture -> Commercial

Akhil Menon & Manu Martin

Akhil Menon & Manu Martin

Curved Dimension

Curved Dimension

Amethyst reimagines the modern workspace by drawing inspiration from crystalline geometry, where angular forms symbolize growth and ambition. An open-plan layout fosters collaboration, complemented by nature-integrated zones and acoustic pods for privacy. With innovative leaning walls, dynamic light, and sculptural minimalism, architecture itself becomes the brand’s bold and expressive identity.

Project Name: The Amethyst | Mane Kancor Admin Building

Location: Ernakulam

Amethyst emerges from a singular and compelling vision — to craft a workspace that not only mirrors the brand’s ethos but also redefines the standards of conventional office design. The architectural language draws direct inspiration from the crystalline geometry of amethyst, a stone known for its clarity, facets, and powerful symbolism. These qualities translate into towering, angular walls that thrust toward the sky, embodying aspiration, progress, and a constant pursuit of excellence.

The planning is rooted in openness. Conceived as a collaborative office environment, the interior nurtures unity, transparency, and seamless interaction among teams. While the layout encourages collective engagement, strategically positioned acoustic pods provide pockets of privacy for focused work or confidential conversations. These enclosed zones ensure functionality without disrupting the overall spatial harmony.

Nature is intricately woven into the design narrative through a thoughtfully curated landscape that threads throughout the space. Green inserts soften the bold architectural geometry, establishing a refreshing rhythm between the built environment and natural elements. Here, architecture becomes art — sculptural planes and expressive forms create Arctic-inspired compositions, reducing the requirement for conventional décor and allowing the built structure to take visual precedence.

A double-height reception becomes the project’s anchor, welcoming visitors with a sense of grandeur. At its heart, a suspended crystal-inspired installation — expressed in the brand’s palette — acts as a sculptural beacon, visible even from the exterior and setting the tone for the spatial experience that unfolds within.

The project’s defining leaning walls presented a remarkable construction challenge, demanding customized formwork and a specialized free-flow concrete mix to achieve the desired angular precision. Expansive façade openings, supported by pre-engineered building systems, introduce abundant light and create an illusion of weightlessness, despite the bold structural presence.

A dramatic skylight, titled A Crack in the Wall, introduces a theatrical passage of daylight into the garden atrium. This moment of illumination heightens the emotional experience of movement and adds a dynamic layer to the narrative of space.

Amethyst ultimately embodies a rare balance — structural innovation paired with expressive architectural intent.

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