Once a cherished family home, now a haven for chocolate lovers - a 50-year-old Ahmedabad home finds new life as Toska Chocolate House, a space where memories and indulgence intertwine. Set in the lively Bodakdev neighbourhood, the 2,000 sq. ft. space has been thoughtfully reimagined through adaptive reuse by architect Parthavi Patel of Studio Patternmaker. Rooted in the client’s deep personal connection to the home, her design approach preserves its essence while introducing a contemporary yet timeless aesthetic. The result is a café and retail space that bridges legacy and reinvention, capturing the soul of Toska Artisan Chocolates in a setting that is both intimate and immersive.
Toska Artisan Chocolates takes its name from the word Toska which in Russian means longing or homesickness, and in Greek, evokes nostalgia - an inner pull or ache for a distant place or time gone by. For founder Ishan Pansuria, chocolate is a bridge to the past, inspired by moments shared with his late father. Honoring this connection, he chose to establish Toska Chocolate House within his family home, creating an environment where flavors and stories come together in a richly layered experience.
Guided by this deep-rooted connection, the transformation embraces the home’s original framework, ensuring its spirit lives on in a new form. Existing architectural elements have been carefully preserved, while modern updates make the space more open and functional. The result is a one-of-a-kind chocolate house - a place where people can not only shop for chocolate but also witness the artistry behind its making. Alongside the retail and production areas, the site also includes a cafe space that offers its visitors signature Toska chocolate blends and thoughtfully crafted in-house recipes. More than just a place to indulge, the cafe is designed as a warm retreat to gather over a hot cuppa, savor comforting bites, and experience chocolate in its many delightful forms.
To seamlessly integrate the diverse functions within the space, the interiors are thoughtfully divided into four zones: a retail section, a chocolate production and viewing area, a cafe with a private dining nook and a back-of-house kitchen. Stepping into the foyer, visitors are greeted with a subtle, monotone palette that sets the tone for the interiors - silver-white textured walls and ceiling, light grey tile flooring, and elegant brass accents that quietly elevate the space. This restrained palette creates a neutral backdrop, allowing the true star of the space - the chocolates - to take center stage. From the foyer, tempting glimpses of the retail space and outdoor cafe spark curiosity, drawing visitors further inside to explore.
Stepping beyond the entrance, the retail area unfolds with a striking brass shelving unit at its core, offering a gleaming showcase for Toska’s handcrafted chocolates. The warm, metallic tones contrast beautifully with the neatly packaged confections, subtly emphasizing the artistry behind them. A softly arched ceiling enhances the sense of volume, lending an airy openness to this space. Adjacent to the retail area, the chocolate production and viewing section allows visitors to witness the craft firsthand. A wide glass partition offers an unobstructed view of the chocolate-making process, fostering a deeper connection between maker and consumer while highlighting the artisanal nature of Toska’s offerings. Originally featuring arched elements, this section was reimagined for a more open and visually engaging experience, aligning with the design’s focus on transparency and interaction.
On the other side of the retail area lies the semi-covered cafe, accessed through a sliding glass door flanked with additional display units. Channeling the charm of a Parisian bistro, the space features black-and-white vintage tile patterns, delicate cornice details, elegant brass light fixtures and ornate furniture elements. Table tops are adorned with crystal lamps that cast a warm glow, reminiscent of quaint European coffee places. Two styles of rattan chairs, black and beige are paired with striped cushions, adding a playful contrast.
Along the walls, marble and wood benches maximize seating in the narrow space. Large traveller palms, added in gold-painted pots add to the cafe’s warm and inviting ambience. Previously a utility alley in the house, this area has been transformed with the addition of a glass canopy, filtering in ample natural daylight while providing shelter from the city’s extreme climate.
Tucked away towards the back, the Nostalgia Room is an intimate dining space rich with sentiment. With sophisticated walnut parquet flooring, restored black-stained doors, and a dark raftered ceiling, it exudes warmth and character. An antique chandelier casts a soft glow, highlighting artwork curated to reflect Toska’s essence. A particularly touching detail is a handwritten note from the client’s late father, framed in a piece he once gifted, adding a deeply personal connection to the space.
Toska Chocolate House is a testament to how design can evoke memory, emotion, and craft. With Studio Patternmaker’s thoughtful intervention, the space transforms chocolate indulgence into a heartfelt journey of taste and time. Whether through the quiet nostalgia of its interiors or the immersive connection to the craft, the space invites visitors to pause, indulge, and appreciate the finer nuances of the artisanal chocolate. Here, every bite tells a story - one of heritage, passion, and the timeless magic of cocoa.
