Fact File
Location: Kanpur
Size: 230 sq m
Principal Architect: Chinmay Ajmani
Photography by: Daniel Joseph
The Penthouse by Intaglio Design Studio is an all-day eatery, an eclectic blend of traditional architectural forms with contemporary quirkiness and vibrance. Kanpur, known for its modesty and simplicity, is a small city situated along the banks of the Ganges River. Synonymous with the ambient atmosphere of this quaint location, the recently designed project by Intaglio Design Studio exerts a vibe that is fresh and tropical. Entitled the Penthouse, a single glance at the facade of this all-day dining establishment is enough to instil a feeling of comfort and serenity. Located on a terrace along a busy street in Swaroop Nagar, the design of this restaurant flamboyantly showcases the magic of minimalistic vitality. The client’s brief was to commission a space that would imbue an intimate feeling while posing as an avant-garde all-day diner. Thus, the resultant design scheme was implemented as a fine amalgamation of trendy elements and chic furnishings, topped off with complementing greens. This blend formulates the prime concept, perceivable through the basic verticals and the aesthetic elements.
“Choosing to portray the elegance of an all-day eatery with the use of understated yet iconic components was the first thought that came to our minds when we started to conceptualise the stated brief,” says Principal Architect Chinmay Ajmani. The space begins with a short foyer that leads to an array of seating options. With a seating capacity of approximately 60 guests, this eatery presents its users with several furnishing styles. Forefronted by five four-seater tables on the left of the elevated stage platform, these furniture options showcase a supplementary warm grey tone that complements the verticals of the space well. A few sofa seating options in similar shades are arranged alongside a monotone wall. The culminating area—which quickly grabs the attention—houses booth seating crowned by an array of arches decked in a vibrant green tint. Delicately separated by chic white fabrics, these furnishings also portray a range of tones and earthy shades like brown and ochre.
The prime component that formulates the success of this all-day diner ideology is rooted in the styling of the roof. Drawn into a pergola and covered with acrylic sheets to prevent the entry of rain and dust, it inculcates the ultimate feeling of feasting in a cabana while soaking in the vitality of nature. Facilitating the creation of playful shadows in the daytime and streams of twinkling lights during dusk, this pergola is the most understated element for its magical part in creating the intrinsic aura. The execution of this idea in detail aided us in achieving the exact panorama planned and being at par with what the clients desired. The innovative hanging sofa—effectively placed under twirling vines and a rustic lamp, along with the arched windows—renders a glistening bookmark to this serene restaurant setup. A vibrant stage was curated, particularly for hosting live performances.
Detailed to the last component, every aspect of this design exquisitely marries itself with the rest of the space yet maintains its unique facet. Although patterned throughout the entire arena, the flooring has been altered with wooden textures near the booth seating to demarcate the intimacy that envelops this setting. Designed with a combination of wooden textures and tropical patterns, the “bling” of the neon lights aid in setting the ambience with the perfect scale. Further, ingenious details may be observed through the ambient wall-mounted lighting and the hanging climbers suspended from the ceiling. The colour palette showcases interesting variations, ranging from warm greys to pristine whites, mixed evenly with wooden browns and tropical greens, thus evading monotony in any form. Thus, the Penthouse proves to be a sheer architectural delight and a visual treat for customers who enjoy delving into the milieu of quirky neon lights and comfortable décor.
