‘No Nonsense Meals’ is a restaurant refurbishment project situated in the bustling market of Connaught, Aurangabad. The site previously hosted a fast food joint that was planned and designed with a commercial objective of catering to large crowds and lacked an adequate amount of natural light or any association with the outside, now reimagined with a thoughtful glass brick design.
A Connaught Eatery Reimagined with Glass Brick Design and Natural Light | Aditya Thole Architects
Keeping in mind the dynamic nature of the neighborhood and the transforming fabric of the market, the design approach had to be adaptive. Moreover, there was an awareness that this refurbishment would cater to the aspiring people of a fast-growing city. Therefore, the key objective was to rethink the restaurant’s compact layout. The goal was to create spatial volumes that felt more open and flexible. As a result, the space could not only serve food to visitors but also host small workshops or events at the same time.
The design intent for the new exterior facade of the restaurant was to make a screen that could allow maximum natural light to enter inside. Keeping in mind the two eye levels created by the difference in the outside and inside levels, we approached the facade design strategically. As a result, we used a combination of fixed glass and glass bricks. This thoughtful mix serves a dual purpose. On one hand, it allows visitors to stay visually connected with the outside surroundings. On the other hand, it offers a sense of visual privacy from pedestrians passing by.
Along the entrance porch and access steps, we created a stepped wall in order to block the view of the extent of the restaurant seating. We deliberately created small square openings in it, which are both functional and design elements.
They make the thick wall look lighter and more playful. Moreover, they provide visitors with only glimpses of the restaurant.
As visitors enter the restaurant, they come across the Live Oatmeal Counter first. Another stepped wall with a square opening separates this unit from the restaurant seating. This setup lets the visitors have their privacy. At the same time, it allows the staff at the counter to keep an eye out for quick approach and efficient service.
The door on the other side provides access to the F&B cleaning station. Additionally, it connects to the staircase that leads upstairs to the restaurant kitchen.
Steel and Plexiglas form the false ceiling above the live salad counter. We illuminated this ceiling completely with cool white light fixtures. After all, the unit also functions as a workstation for the chef-owners. In fact, it’s where they experiment and come up with their daily specials.
We demolished a part of the pre-existing mezzanine to achieve a double height space. The high ceiling and glass facade allow natural light to take over and create its own play as the day passes by.
The seating below the mezzanine is dimly lit with warm ceiling lamps making the space cozier. Natural organic elements such as potted plants have been growing and spreading slowly, bringing more life and play to the restaurant earthy ambience.
The motto of the No Nonsense Meals restaurant brand is to serve healthy gourmet food. We wanted the restaurant interior to represent these true ideas. We thoughtfully decided as to which elements of the existing site could be left in its original nature and which elements could be concealed or treated.
The pre-existing grid of steel columns divided the entire space into smaller fragments. In order to keep this grid exposed, we pushed the proposed new brick and partition walls and let them flow around. This play of built elements adds a character to every junction or corner wherever a wall hits or turns around a column.
The earthy tactile finishes for the restaurant are divided by a continuous strip of 15mm thick sadarahalli granite inlay. The surfaces above are finished in lime and the surfaces below are finished in grit plaster and mandana stone flooring making it seem like a shallow maroon tray or pool.
This pool is a visual marker for the site which is sunken from the outside road level in which elements such as granite treads, potted plants, tables, chairs and visitors seem to float.
Fact File
Designed by: aditya thole architects
In collaboration with: Sakshi Somani (SSD Design Studio)
Project Type: Restaurant/Refurbishment
Project Name: No Nonsense Meals
Location: Aurangabad, Maharashtra
Year Built: November, 2024
Duration of the project: 4 Months
Project Size: 1800 Sq.ft
Principal Designer: Aditya Thole
Photograph Courtesy: archiive_visuals
Products / Materials / Vendors: Finishes – Stone Crete Plaster ; Lime Plaster / Lighting – V Light Decorative (vendor) / Doors and Partitions – Glass Doors by “Capital Glass Systems” (vendor) / Sanitary Ware – Jaquar / Facade Systems – Glass Bricks and Fixed Glass Facade by “Capital Glass Systems” (vendor) Furniture – Restaurant tables and chairs – The Craft Company / Flooring – Mandana Stone and Sadarahalli Grey Granite Stone
Firm’s Instagram Link: aditya thole architects
For Similar Project >>> Malleshwaram Celebrates Indian Craft & Tradition In A Courtyard Restaurant
This home is envisioned as a quiet dialogue between space and stillness, where the in-between becomes as meaningful as the built. Every element is guided by the philosophy of restraint: not to fill space, but to shape experience. It’s a home designed to breathe, to hold pause, and to allow the rhythms of family life […]
Arches have long held a timeless appeal in architecture—graceful, structural, and endlessly versatile. From a grand entrance to soft curves of an interior, arch design is making a reappearance in today’s interiors. Whether you like classic archways or clean lines of modern arches, every design aesthetic has an arch style. In this blog, we will […]
For architect duo Rakshanda Moog and Dev Thakkar of Den Studio, designing their first home (and debut interior project) came together the way most meaningful things do. Gradually and instinctively. “We started with minimalism,” they say, “but somewhere along the way, the house asked for more character.” Perched on an upper floor with unobstructed views […]
Nestled within a tranquil urban setting, Earthy Enclave stands as a testament to earthy houses and contemporary design that intertwines warmth, functionality, and artistry. This residence is not merely a structure but a narrative, a home sculpted by emotions and aesthetics, where every design decision balances intuition with intention. From the outset, the homeowner’s desire […]
Set within a quiet enclave of Bangalore, this 4,300-square-foot residence transcends conventional definitions of luxury home designs. Oku is an exploration of memory, material, and meaning. It is an architectural manifestation of cultural continuity. Here, design serves as a vessel for lived histories, tactile traditions, and the silent poetry of craftsmanship. The home is not […]
We at Studio AsA believe that workplace design should align with a firm’s vision and philosophy. When Digantara, a leading aerospace company, sought our expertise in designing their workplace, we saw an opportunity to design a space that mirrors the firm’s brand identity, a workplace that exhibits its technological prowess and its ambition to explore […]
In a time when design is often reduced to trends, Yaahvi’s light design stands as a reminder of tactility, tradition, and craftsmanship. Founded by Nikita Bansal, who journeyed from Assam to the global design stage, champions a philosophy where contemporary aesthetics meet age-old Indian craftsmanship. In this exclusive interview, Nikita reflects on her early influences, […]
From the very first glimpse, this home makes a quiet yet assertive statement — a story of considered elegance woven through the interplay of textures, geometry, and an emotive material palette. It isn’t just a residence, but a journey of values, and a deliberate pause from the chaos of urbanity. A poetic 4 bedroom design […]
Referred by his cousin, who initially approached us for a large residential bungalow, Dilip Jain sought our expertise for his newly purchased 4 BHK luxury apartment in Akota. While the builder had completed the civil work for the kitchen and bathrooms, the client was unsatisfied with the final results. We took the initiative to transform […]
In the world of interior design, luxury is no longer just about opulence—it’s about intentionality, emotion, and storytelling. Today’s luxury interiors blend comfort, artistry, and innovation, often reflecting a personalized experience that resonates with the inhabitants. From fashion boutiques echoing ancient geology to apartments that merge modern design with classic charm, luxury interiors are becoming […]