AGS Burrow by MuseLAB: Repurposing a former warehouse into an ‘experience centre’

AGS Burrow is a centre to showcase and experience products by a water heater and filtration company, located on a 7-by-11 feet plot inside Mumbai’s bustling Lakda Bazaar. The narrow, utilitarian space was formerly an inventory warehouse.

“Historically, the bazaar has been a place for carpentry and timber, and it holds an artisanal charm … By situating the experience centre here, we pay homage to Mumbai’s industrial roots while contrasting the organic energy of the bazaar with the structure’s clean, intentional design”, the designers told FuturArc.

The target users for the experience centre include product buyers, architects and interior designers, as well as other practitioners of the built environment who are interested to reuse an existing building within a busy setting. “Designing here meant navigating the constraints of a narrow plot while preserving the integrity of the bustling bazaar outside,” said the team.

Materials like exposed brick, recycled compressed blocks, perforated metal façade and natural plaster were used to harmoniously echo the rugged texture of the bazaar. The west-facing façade repurposes elements from the former warehouse, including the roof’s corrugated sheet that forms sun and rain-blocking fins on the upper façade, while perforated sections from storage units make up the lower half.

Vertical stratification of spaces

The challenges of a narrow site was responded to by vertically stacking the functions across three levels, each linked by a central stairwell. Facing the street, the ground floor allows for vehicular access and a staff area.

Ascending to the first floor, visitors will encounter the experience centre and product display zones. Here, the walls are designed to be more sinuous, with the focal point being a live shower cubicle with terracotta interiors. This fluidity also forms a discussion nook and a concrete-clad coffee bar that offers glimpses of the bustling streets below.

On the top level, the CEO’s cabin and meeting pods offer views of the surrounding bazaar and the city skyline. By organising the space in this manner, the design maximises the functionality of the narrow plot, ensuring that each task has its dedicated area.

Facilitating natural light and ventilation

Cross-ventilation was carefully considered in the design, with strategic openings surrounding the central stairwell to encourage natural airflow throughout the spaces. This stairwell has been designed in a ‘porous’ manner, using recycled perforated MS (mild steel) members that were previously used for pallet storage uprights.

The façade’s perforated cladding, combined with high ceilings and carefully placed windows, allows for air to be continuously exchanged. Ceiling fans further aid to achieve thermal comfort in an energy-efficient manner. Skylights puncture the roof, allowing the interior to be bathed in natural light while also drawing the hot air upwards.

This project not only revitalises a previously utilitarian space but also shows the possibilities of adaptive reuse in dense urban environments, efficiently utilising space and clearly demarcating functions to enhance efficiency and comfort.

PROJECT DATA

Project Name
The AGS Burrow

Project Location
Mumbai, India

Completion Date
2024

Gross Floor Area
1,500 square feet

Client
Aquagreen Solutions

Design Firm
MuseLAB

Principal Designers
Jasem Pirani; Huzefa Rangwala

Design Team
Abhishek Ajwani; Aishwarya Lakhani; Hussain Mukadam; Bhavin Mandot

Photos/Images
Talib Chitalwala; Sohaib Ilyas

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