- Status: Built
- Client: Co-optex
- Location:
- Design Team: Deepa Suriyaprakash, Vanessa D'Souza, Jayanth G B, Meenal Suresh
- Engineers:
- Contractor: Raasi Builders
- Current Project area: 1365 Sft
- Current Project year: 2019
- Current Project Cost: INR 70,00,000
- Photographs:
- Materials used :
Co optex cafe sits part of the Thillaiyadi Valliammai complex and the brief requires us to bring in the essence of the weaving process and style onto this little building. The quaint little site, has some unique features, a line of trees in the back end, a large sump tank top on the ground, two large flame of forest trees in the front end, and little Vinayagar temple just before the allotted land. We considered these site features, Vastu, orientation, access, area and budget into consideration when we designed the layout for the cafe.
The billboard of buttas explores the idea of the building facade becoming a framed collection of various motifs used in the traditional weaves. We have designed the motifs as three dimensional voids on copper finished panels, so it doubles as a light source to the interiors. The facade frames alternate between, solid, pattern, mirror and glass panels. There is also a strip window created at ones eye level to simultaneously observe the activity inside, while the building advertises, reflects, refracts and works like a billboard for Co optex run cafe.
The interior separates the large family seating from the standing - self service stations with a thin trellis. This trellis will work as a backdrop and frame to display various paraphernalia associated to weaving, and may also become a merchandise panel. The furniture are simple, easy to maintain units, yet embracing the overall theme of the building. The most popular of all : temple motifs are encased between two different veneer. The standing table adapts a simple creeper-Visiri border. The walls flanking the counter have original murals, showcasing the hands at work and layers of loom. The interiors, thus works as a homage gallery to the livelihood and craft of weavers, while staunchly remaining true to its function.
