Highway Restaurant

Site Concept:

The site is rectangular and it was decided to place the buildings inside to gain maximum frontage and utilise the space around it effectively. The restaurant building was tucked into one corner of the site(after leaving the plot for the proposed hotel behind) so that the green space around it on both the southern and western sides form a buffer from the sound & dust of the highway in the south and the harsh sunlight from the west. These green spaces also become large party lawns visually enjoyed from the seating area inside.

Design Concept:

The restaurant was designed as an open pavilion only covered by a dynamic, sweeping roof like a parasol/ umbrella giving protection from the sun and the rain. The building plan is a simple square form divided into four quadrants - one quadrant houses the kitchen, store & wash. The other three quadrants contain the seating areas of which the family seating is the farthest from the entrance and closer to the kids' play area. The central square accommodates the billing counter and control point for the entire space.

Use of Sustainable Concepts & Green Materials:

Since the theme of the restaurant was "rustic" in nature, we have consciously employed natural and green materials in the project.

Shera boarding (Calcium silicate board) which is a non-asbestos, environmentally friendly product was extensively used in the project for wall cladding, false ceiling, compound wall railings, gates, signage pylon, etc., These were then polished to give a wooden look that matches with the overall theme of the interior. Bamboo roller chik blinds were used as a screen from dust and evening glare.

Natural stone like brown granite for window sills, column cladding and kotah stone in the kitchen areas were used.

Maximum use of natural light and ventilation was conceived during the design process, thereby completely avoiding air- conditioning .The central square housing the billing counter rises up into a skylight bringing in natural light into the centre and also acting as a wind tunnel to take out hot air.

Entire lighting, both external and internal has been done using low energy consuming LED light fixtures.

Location : Urulikanchan, Pune

Year: 2010-2012

Status: Completed

Built-up Area: 5000 sq. ft

Structural Consultant: Vijay Kakade

Photography: Richa Chopada

Design Team: Santhosh M P, Sagar Kapade, Pravin Dilwale