ABK Imports’ new headquarters invites you into a workspace where calm design, bold branding, and wagging tails coexist seamlessly—proving that an office can be both beautifully structured and genuinely alive.
Project Snapshot:
- Design Firm: The Arch Studio
- Client: ABK Imports
- Completion Date: June 2025
- Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India
- Size: 11,000 sq ft
Overview
When ABK Imports, one of India’s leading distributors and manufacturers of pet care products, outgrew its modest 40-person shed during the pandemic, it sought a new headquarters that mirrored its exponential growth and progressive work culture. The Arch Studio was tasked with creating an 11,000 sq. ft. workspace that would balance the brand’s people-first values with its pet-inclusive ethos.
The resulting design, a pet-friendly, people-centric office, embodies ABK’s identity with thoughtful planning, humane materiality, and strategic color play. The signature bright red brand hue runs as a visual thread through the office, from subtle lighting accents to furniture details, connecting the space to the company’s logo and spirit.
From the entrance, the environment is warm, calm, and composed. A quartz reception desk and neutral furnishings create a hygienic yet inviting arrival, while a cloakroom behind ensures cleanliness, a crucial consideration for a pet-friendly setup.
At the heart of the layout lies “The Savannah”, an expansive breakout zone that doubles as a play-and-rest area for both employees and their furry companions. This central space sets the tone for the rest of the design: functional, fluid, and full of heart. Surrounding it, the workstations, executive pods, meeting rooms, and breakout areas blend acoustic comfort with visual clarity.
Each corner serves a purpose, from the podcast room that encourages digital storytelling to the reading nook that offers quiet reflection. The result is a workspace that doesn’t chase spectacle but celebrates balance between growth and grounding, structure and spontaneity, people and pets.
Project Details & Challenges
Designing for a company that champions animal welfare brought both delight and complexity. The Arch Studio approached the project as a chance to redefine what “pet-friendly” means in a corporate context, moving beyond token gestures to design systems that genuinely supported coexistence between humans and animals.
The client’s rapid growth, from 40 to 140 employees, meant scalability was key. During pre-planning, employees were consulted to understand their everyday routines, challenges, and priorities, especially around hygiene, noise management, and flexibility. The insights revealed a need for structured openness, spaces that could breathe yet remain functional and clean.
To address hygiene, The Arch Studio introduced a cloakroom and locker zone immediately behind reception, ensuring bags and outerwear never entered the main workspace. Materials like quartz, easy-clean laminates, and acoustic felt panels were strategically used for durability and maintenance.
One of the biggest challenges was acoustic control in open-plan areas frequented by pets. The team resolved this with acoustic panel lighting, baffle ceilings, and soft felt lights, creating a sound-absorbing layer that also lent visual softness.
Zoning was another challenge. The firm avoided physical barriers, opting instead for visual zoning through lighting, ceiling textures, and custom furniture layouts. Each section, from Workstation 1 (50 desks) to Workstation 2 (54 desks), was planned with human flow and animal movement in mind, ensuring freedom without chaos.
The central “Savannah” breakout zone became a metaphorical and literal grounding element. Inspired by the open grasslands where diverse species coexist, it became a multifunctional space for both impromptu meetings and pet playtime. Its custom mesh ceiling panels featuring fauna motifs added whimsy while reinforcing ABK’s identity.
From the directors’ tailored cabins with sit-stand desks and reading corners, to the podcast room marked with “On Air” signage, every space was designed with intentionality. Even the training room and open pantry were detailed to promote collaboration and comfort, using red-accented lighting and easy-to-clean surfaces.
The outcome: a workspace that looks effortless but is deeply engineered for everyday usability.
Key Products
- ALPHA Lights – Linear and hanging lights across the reception and workstation areas, adding warmth and visual rhythm to the workspace.
- Saint Gobain – High-quality glass used for custom-built work pods and partitions, ensuring transparency, acoustic performance, and a seamless aesthetic.
Overall Project Results
Since moving into their new headquarters, ABK Imports has experienced an undeniable shift in workplace morale and engagement. Employees describe the space as “settling” and “energizing,” a rare combination that reflects the design’s balance between vibrancy and calm.
The pet friendly planning, a core request from the leadership, has become the office’s defining charm. The sight of dogs lounging near “The Savannah” or cats exploring nooks has made the office feel less corporate and more communal. Staff note that the presence of animals has a calming effect and encourages spontaneous interaction, building stronger interpersonal bonds.
The feedback loop has been overwhelmingly positive. Employees report feeling more connected to their workspace, taking greater pride in where they work. The flexibility of zones, from executive pods to casual breakout lounges, has improved collaboration and productivity. The acoustic performance in open plan areas, once a concern, has exceeded expectations thanks to the material research and design foresight.
The directors’ cabins are frequently cited as examples of how leadership and design align. The sit stand desks and reading corners create balance between authority and accessibility. The podcast room has become a hub for ABK’s internal communications and brand storytelling, reflecting the company’s growing digital ambitions.
The training room and breakout areas now serve as weekly gathering spots, fostering informal connections across teams. The design’s subtle biophilic elements, including planters, soft daylighting, and natural tones, help reduce fatigue and maintain focus throughout long workdays.
Most importantly, the space continues to evolve organically. The photography studio is being converted into a showroom for top product displays, further blurring the line between work and brand experience.
For The Arch Studio, the most gratifying outcome was hearing employees say, “We feel proud of where we work.” That simple sentiment captures what the design intended all along, a workspace built not to impress, but to belong to.
Main Contributors:
All workstations – Stepearly Ltd
Roller blinds – Hunter Douglas
Carpet – Euronics
Acoustic panels – Uniacoustic
Meet the Design Team
Ar. Siddhina Sakla, Founder of The Arch Studio
Photography
