Today, eating out is often an opportunity to
immerse yourself in not only good food and conversation, but in a vibe that
makes the humdrum everyday world feel far, far away. It's no wonder that
restaurants have become outlets for some of the most creative interiors in the
world. Designers have incorporated technology, art, and nature among other
themes to create a world for diners to escape to.
Creating an amazing interior design is anything but
simple. There are thousands of factors to juggle – What will your restaurant,
bar or cafe’s style be like? How can you make the interior as beautiful and
decorative as possible without disrupting the staff’s workflow? Will safety
regulations even allow your grandiose designs to take form?
When you think about just how much goes into the
design of the perfect restaurant interior, you’ll gain a whole new appreciation
for these wondrously designed interior spaces.
The Junction, as the name
suggests, is an ornate space with heightened dining expectations where people converge for an
appetizing menu, gourmet quality food and friendly service. And if ambiance is
what you are looking for, The Junction will not disappoint as it does not follow the stereotypical idea of a
garage themed restaurant: there are no flying wheels, huge motors or car parts
to be seen. In fact, the set up is kept elegant and minimalist.
The
client was already running a successful classy relaxed lounge and was keen to
set up a restaurant with a garage theme, a total contrasting decor. The new
site was located on the fifth floor of a building, with no connection to the
outdoors, and had to share the entrance with a few other restaurants.
Recreating
a garage theme on the fifth floor of a building isn’t an easy task. But the theme does catch your attention. It manifests in almost
everything. From the jeep that becomes a photo-op station to the quirky tables
and chairs; from the auto-rickshaw seating to the cycle seating spaces; the
waiters in mechanic suits to the grey IPS flooring and exposed ceiling, all the
efforts to live up to the theme are evident, giving the
restaurant a look of "rustic luxury."
Interesting
to note is that the restaurant is not demarcated from the passage by any glass
or partition, the positioning of the layout itself lends it a distinct
character and offers a visual identity from the passage and the surrounding
restaurants. The first attraction is the “Willys”
jeep (weighing 1.1 tons & built in USA
for use in World War II) located to catch your eye against a backdrop of
exhaust pipes and brake discs over oil barrels. As to how the jeep was driven
to the top floor - that’s a top secret!
At the far
end, a red wall reminiscent of the European pavement cafes with rustic wooden
furniture and a parked motorbike- German 'TRIUMP' later named as TWN (1956 model) create a colorful distinctive character for
the restaurant exterior. The entrance is not distinguished by any element, but
lack of it. Two large family sit-outs created using automobile components straddle
the entry to the restaurant. Wheel rims for used for seats, front grills for
backrest, while tables are fabricated from brake discs, truck wheel rim and suspension leaf springs.
Once inside, this literally takes you to the junction, a convergence of
roads in epoxy marked with zebra crossings with a central directional pole
created using crank shafts. In
fact it required 6 engines to be put apart for creating this pole. Auto-rickshaws
are the lifeline of Indian transportation system. But who would have thought of
incorporating them in a restaurant? This place has done it and how! Two old discarded auto-rickshaws
have been transformed to embrace the aesthetic while creating the
most-sought-after seating spaces. Keeping with the theme, the column behind is
dressed with exhaust pipes (dating back to 1950s) recreating a tree-form that moves
along the ceiling forming branches.
On one end
is a cycle seating, meant exclusively for those fitness freaks. Locking the
cycles in place as if they are parked, adding bigger and comfortable seats, aligning
the pedals in one direction for use as foot-rests- these subtle alterations
transform ordinary cycles into comfortable dining. An old chain on sprocket suspended from the ceiling
upto the table lends authentic flavor. Check
out the lampshades over the table- they’re actually repurposed air filters!
And what’s that! An
installation of a stretched 'Vijaya Super’ scooter (1976 model) by
a long membrane of curved metal that connects the two ends is a treat for the
eyes. Light plays a significant part in creating the tranquil
mood. These unique sculptures are illuminated throughout the space by small
cleverly concealed fixtures. Graffiti on the wall beyond and exposed ceiling
with a conglomerate of pipes interspersed with lights created out of oil filters
accentuate the garage theme. So does a car that juts out from the wall in the
far corner. All these are an added attraction to the area- references to the
old, while catering to the new.
How cool would it be if these vehicles could talk?! Fantastic recycled furniture products like these could tell a tale
or two of romance, hard work, laughter and maybe even the odd drop of illegal
antics given half the chance. But
they do all have one thing in common: they carry a huge
emotional value for the clients who have been car dealers since
3 generations. And this love and stubbornness sometime give birth to real
pieces of art.
The
‘garage’ theme looks so authentic; you can almost catch the whiff of motor-oil
in the air. Apart
from its cool ambiance, the kids can have the time of their day by playing with
these motors. People just like
the feeling they get in this atmosphere, the decor alone make a visit
worthwhile before you even look at the menu. Interior
design in this realm is no longer about meeting financial or customer demands,
but is rather about creating a one-of-a-kind experience. With distinct
blueprints, the food industry has arguably expanded the public’s perception of
dining. Consumer demands are
shifting and indeed, the act of eating out has taken on a whole new meaning. If
restaurant design is any indication of satisfaction however, The Junction will
not disappoint.
By reusing car parts and upcycling into usable furniture, we
managed to push the boundaries of sustainability and environmental awareness
even further whilst spreading the word in a very graphic and unique manner.
Green living includes after all every action that minimizes pollution, saves
resources or improves personal health. As a result, even the smallest piece in
a car or absolutely any other item for that matter, are worth recycling,
bringing along a positive impact, creating a greener environment. The Junction
is our little way of enhancing the definition of Green Architecture &
Living.
