- What is the thumb rule that you follow while designing a restaurant?
The thumb rule that we follow when designing a restaurant is to make sure the ambience of the restaurant is in sync with the cuisine and the vision of the client.
- How does lighting play a vital aspect in the ambience and design of a restaurant?
Lighting is one of the most important aspects of the design.
We focus not only on ambient and general lighting ,but we make sure the task lighting is on point so that the efficiency is not compromised at all.
- Your project temple town is all about southern comfort, can you give us the client brief and how did you execute the same?
The client being a second generation bengali settled in kerala for the past 50 yrs wanted to bring a piece of calcutta to kerala,a mix of both worlds.
so the decor too had to be diverse and eclectic.
There is an installation of old copper and brass utensils on a wall with wooden panelling.
a combination of old calcutta prints like the howrah bridge and victoria station and other such landmarks spruced with old kerala artifacts.
- What are the sustainability measures taken in this project?
As we manufacture our own furniture we are always left with pieces of wood that cannot be used further.
In this restaurant all the leftover wood has been put to good use by panelling the walls with these pieces ,creating a warm backdrop to the restaurant.
the furniture was locally made with regional hardwoods maing it possible to be reused and recycled.
old kerala antiques were sourced and used as much as possible.
- One design philosophy you swear by?
Preserving and promoting traditional and local handicrafts.
- How does one pick the right décor/installations for their restaurant project?
I believe when it comes to design there are no rights and wrongs ,whatever the style of decor whether it be traditional or contemporary
it should have a soul of its own that shines through well thought out design.
- How different is it to design a restaurant as compared to other commercial spaces for an Architect?
While designing a reataurant efficiency and functionality is very important as the proper functioning is directly linked to the design of each
element,the maximum utilization of space without hampering the overall look is another factor.
- A message to all the young designers out there?
The best way to learn is to get hands-on experience at the earliest. No matter how much ever experience you have there is always something new to learn and get better at.