Being the primary unit of organization and habitation in India, villages over a period of
time have become synonymous with the ‘identity of India’ itself. The cultural and
architectural diversity found in villages across India can be mesmerizing yet the
influence of globalized invasive materials and knowhow can be seen percolating
unanimously. The merits and demerits of this invasion continue to spark attempts at
discovering sensitive design solutions in an actively urbanizing India. The texture of
which itself is heavily interwoven with various village like settlements.
time have become synonymous with the ‘identity of India’ itself. The cultural and
architectural diversity found in villages across India can be mesmerizing yet the
influence of globalized invasive materials and knowhow can be seen percolating
unanimously. The merits and demerits of this invasion continue to spark attempts at
discovering sensitive design solutions in an actively urbanizing India. The texture of
which itself is heavily interwoven with various village like settlements.
“…while for (Mahatma) Gandhi the Village was a site of authenticity, for Nehru it was a
site of backwardness and for Ambedkar the village was the site of oppression.”
-Economic and Political Weekly Vol.37, No.32 (Aug.10-16, 2002), pp. 3343-3345
site of backwardness and for Ambedkar the village was the site of oppression.”
-Economic and Political Weekly Vol.37, No.32 (Aug.10-16, 2002), pp. 3343-3345
When we received the proposed name for the Café/Bar from our client, these questions
suddenly came to light. Studying the dichotomy in schools of thought regarding what
villages represent and the interpretations of their relevance, and ever-changing state
was where we started our ideation.
suddenly came to light. Studying the dichotomy in schools of thought regarding what
villages represent and the interpretations of their relevance, and ever-changing state
was where we started our ideation.
Textures and volumes of the space have been designed to reference an experience,
reminiscent of rural Indian settlements. Shaded gathering spaces which are semi-
shielded from direct view form the larger sitting zones. The possibility of various
movement patterns, give the illusion of an intimate organic settlement wherein the
regulars find their own path, seldom taken by new visitors.
reminiscent of rural Indian settlements. Shaded gathering spaces which are semi-
shielded from direct view form the larger sitting zones. The possibility of various
movement patterns, give the illusion of an intimate organic settlement wherein the
regulars find their own path, seldom taken by new visitors.
The form of the planters and walls have been carefully modulated to generate a surreal
impression of rural settlements. The terracotta plaster was achieved after various trials
to lend warmth and vibrance to the space, while the exposed concrete rings cast in iron
sheets puncture these walls exposing glimpses across. The plant species were locally
curated to ensure their survival with least resistance. The city has a thriving brass
handicrafts industry hence lending it the name of Pital Nagri (“Brass City”). Brass
vessels of different sizes were incorporated in the décor to reference this local trade.
Indoor pendent lamps were customized to be suspended from the ceiling using wooden
posts with carvings. The flooring of the central court was composed using broken slabs
of rough black Kadappa stone found locally in India.
The intent became to design a space which represents a lucid memory of a village for
todays ‘Urban Indian’, looking for a drink down nostalgic lane.
impression of rural settlements. The terracotta plaster was achieved after various trials
to lend warmth and vibrance to the space, while the exposed concrete rings cast in iron
sheets puncture these walls exposing glimpses across. The plant species were locally
curated to ensure their survival with least resistance. The city has a thriving brass
handicrafts industry hence lending it the name of Pital Nagri (“Brass City”). Brass
vessels of different sizes were incorporated in the décor to reference this local trade.
Indoor pendent lamps were customized to be suspended from the ceiling using wooden
posts with carvings. The flooring of the central court was composed using broken slabs
of rough black Kadappa stone found locally in India.
The intent became to design a space which represents a lucid memory of a village for
todays ‘Urban Indian’, looking for a drink down nostalgic lane.
