Exploring the narrative in design!

Hospitality Special

By Team IAnD

Photography: Aman Deshmukh; courtesy The Orange Lane

Read Time: 2 mins

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Viman Nagar Social designed by the sprightly Shabnam Gupta, effortlessly juxtaposes the spirit of erstwhile Pune with the city’s young, urban vibe. 

The restaurant and bar, located on the topmost floor of Pune’s buzzing Phoenix Market City, is a seamless reconciliation of everyday objects into a youth-oriented hangout. Staying true to the identity of Impresario’s Social brand of restaurants, the restaurant serves as a co-working space by day and transforms into a casual entertainer by evening; weaving into its décor bits and pieces of Pune’s storied past with touches that are characteristic of the city’s organic growth.  

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So, we have a plethora of reused blue, plastic vegetable crates forming a nifty backdrop to the bar area and as partitions between seating arrangements. In fact, a tunnel of crates marks the entrance to this space from the mall, instantly creating a connect with other kitsch design elements inside.  

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Hand-finished cement walls, exposed scaffolding-like MS pipes in bright blue and red, used corrugated sheets, and exposed services in the ceiling create an industrial envelope in the expansive 4,700 sq. ft. interior that boasts of a ground with double-height ceiling and a mezzanine. An interesting and precarious-looking lounging area is a highlight dare as it extends from the mezzanine, intercepting the double-height ceiling like a giant hammock bed. Fabricated from net – a casual reference to safety nets used during construction – and appointed with large cushions, it serves as a cosy area to unwind.

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Drawing on characteristic Pune charm, a large space on the ground floor is devoted to a stepped amphitheatre seating with a semblance of Pune district map white-chalked on its steps a la the board game visual of snakes and ladders.  

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Rough-finished floors with Indian Patent Stone, red epoxy, and reused wood complement the raw appeal. Furniture comprises of an old wooden log reused as the bar top while, wooden cane chairs and wooden benches coexist comfortably beside plush leather riveted armchairs and booth-style cherry-red and deep ochre sofas.

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Catering to the natural tendency of the visitor to pick out an exclusive-looking corner, a slightly raised seating against a wall splattered with postcards and news-clippings, also artwork on pages ripped out of a school book; juxtaposed by its adjacent wall in post-office red paint with the Indian Posts logo and a dummy mailbox slot… recreate moments of nostalgia. Assisting this peep into history are columns adorned with sepia-toned photographs and other bric-a-brac from a time gone by - think vintage radios, films reels, pickle jars, brass blow horns and vinyl records. A curious mix of vintage lights sourced from flea markets like Chor Bazaar add to the old-world charm. 

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As Pune’s first Social, Viman Nagar Social nods to its people, setting the tone for casual authentic fun, “Kasa kay Pune?” (Wassup, Pune?!)

Fact File:

Client: Mr.Riyaz Amlani

Design Firm: The Orange Lane

Principal Designer/Architect: Ms. Shabnam Gupta

Area: 4,700 sq.ft

Location: Viman Nagar, Pune