Located inside a shopping mall in Hyderabad, Punjab Bistro is a fine-dining restaurant specializing in Indian cuisine. The client's brief required the restaurant's interior space to exude a distinctively contemporary vibe. The design evolves organically from strong circular geometry to offset a transparent organic wall on one side overlooking a green space and a linear jagged wall on the other.
The design mainly comprises 3 central, circular elements - one at the entry to demarcate the reception and waiting area, another that encloses the main seating and dining area, and the third that houses the buffet section, bar, and small seating. The circular element gives each of the three sections the space and volume they require to house guests and services. The kitchen space is carved out behind the wall created when the circular geometry is extruded.
The circular element in the design is as much an aesthetic introduction as it is functional. The ceiling too has a concentric circular pattern that becomes an instant focal point, grabbing the visitor's attention.
Everyday cooking utensil - the dal smasher - has been used as a design element to add intrigue to the ceiling. The design employs Dal smashers in a decorative role, conveying the subtle beauty of everyday objects when viewed with a renewed perspective.
Around 7900 wooden dal smashers are used in the ceiling, creating a unique pattern and drawing a strong contextual link to the restaurant's connection to food.
The dal smashers take on the role of a work of art while also representing the essence of the cuisine served at the restaurant, its legacy, and its relatability with visitors.
The transparent glass wall, the greenery outside, the Indian sandstone cladding on the circular walls, and the dal smashers on the ceiling come together elegantly to create a warm, inviting atmosphere that is at once homely while still being worthy of a fine-dining establishment.
The triangular cladding pattern on the walls contrasts with the circular elements in the design, creating a rich juxtaposition of textures and shapes.
The material palette throughout the interior design is simple yet striking.
The circular geometry softens the rigidity of the forms on three sides while dividing the interior volume fluidly. The variations in the sizes of these circles give the design a sense of movement and scale. The circular element in the design is as much an aesthetic introduction as it is functional.
The lighting design adds more character to the space, washing the circular walls in shades of relaxing green.
The flooring and tabletops are relatively muted, with a rich dark grey hue that allows the other aspects of the design to contrast and shine.