In Bangalore, India, the ground floor of a two-storey home was leased for this trendy, casual Asian restaurant. With a total area of 150 square meters, MAIA sought to use local materials and traditional Indian craft techniques in a modern context.
A 250 module wooden installation was created in collaboration with local artisans in the nearby township of Channapatna. Specialising in hand lathe woodwork and natural lacquering for over two centuries, this art form is 100% eco-friendly and handmade. The lacquer colours are derived from natural sources and include red (manjista root), yellow (turmeric & tesu flower), green (Indico extracted from Indigo dyes) and brown (walnut bark). The modules are fixed 450mm apart in a grid format.
Large beams cutting the space on all sides are clad with mirrors. The mirrors reflect the installation, creating an illusion of extension to infinity and helping to visually open the space.
Walls and floors are finished with locally mined light grey granite Sadharalli, and light birch wood panelling. The intricate layering of the Sadharalli results in a subtle and sophisticated texture. Patterned mosaic tiles in reds, greens and yellow pop out against the stone and wood backdrop. Pastel pinks and greens are used to tie the palette together and express the youthful, trendy image of the restaurant.
Raw silk lamps were custom made in Pondicherry while chairs are handwoven with coir, another traditional craft, usually used in making charpoys – a traditional Indian day bed.Gokul Rao Kadam
