DAARUKHANA

AREA: 2100 SQ. FT.

SPATIAL, FURNITURE, EXPERIENCE AND COMMUNICATION DESIGN

LOCATION: WAN CHAI, HONG KONG | STATUS: COMPLETED IN NOVEMBER 2018

Reimagining the way Indian cuisine is served.

Daarukhana is an area in Mumbai (Bombay), popularly known for its ship breaking industry, was named for the gunpowder industry in the area centuries ago. Back in the 19th century, the area was purely industrial, while its surrounding areas of Mazgaon and Byculla were home to the elite.

In Hindi, Daaru literally means alcohol and Khana is food. Here at Daarukhana, drinks and food come together to form a wonderful synergy.

The key challenge was to retain the existing structural framework while giving the space a new identity.

The site existed as a bistro called Wine Beast Restaurant & Wine Shop. One of the primary materials used in the space was dark polished wood which included the furniture, shelving units and partitions. The space had a very warm and cozy vibe to it.

THE EXISTING SPACE

Bombay in the 1920's

A pop tribute to the old buzzing nights in the neighbourhood taking you back to the luxury, exuberance and the glamour of the by-gone era. Visual language is in the art deco style.

A well blended experience of old & contemporary together.

BRANDING AND COMMUNICATION

DAARUKHANA INTERIORS

INSPIRATION BOARD

The usage of warm lights, dark polished wood, polished brass, reflective surfaces and LED lights characterised the space better.

A stairwell installation lead the visitors to the first-floor main restaurant. The floor landing houses a high community table and open shelvings; these displays doubled as partitions making it a more open and dynamic layout. Different seating arrangements catered to a varied group of diners in-turn shaping up a more diverse ambience.

FACADE

ENTRANCE

Materials: Brass finish metal mesh for staircase risers with strip LEDs and old framed photographs of famous Indian monuments on the wall. The stairwell houses wooden barrels with reflective top surface and backlit.

A marble top table with brass edges surrounded by mesh and dark wood panels at the base. Piping provided at the base for foot rest.

FURNITURE: HIGH TABLE

The two seater is marble top table with brass edges and brass polished sections for central base support. The bar counter was retained with additions from our material palette.

TWO-SEATER & BAR COUNTER

Bringing back the vintage yet contemporary look to the seating, the bar stools and the couch seating were designed to reflect Bombay in 1920’s with a modern touch.