Luxury dining delight offering authentic African menu is located in an uptown location in Pune. The restaurant exhibits the essence of African landscape and architecture as you walk around the outdoor seating spaces. The indoor seating space expands on to the serene al fresco that gets skillfully creative with the bamboo parasols, made by local artisans, accompanied by elements of African landscape. The ficus tree that closely mimics the African Baobab tree, sets an incredibly homely feel. This culinary inspiration and meticulous attention to details is an ode to African land and its rich culture. ~Yamini Vaswani
An Ode to African Landscape with this Diversely Inclusive Restaurant in Pune : Baobab | Amoeba Design
Visit: Amoeba Design
Baobab, a fine dine restaurant is part of a mill area converted into a group of restaurants surrounding a common plaza. Baobab is a tree that originates in Africa and the client wanted to have an African inspired menu and ambience and wished for a subtle dominance in the vicinity of other restaurants. The entire ambience is inspired by the pan-African colors, red, black, and green which represents the spirit of Africa.
As the red represents the noble blood that unites all people of African ancestry, the color black for the people, and green for the rich land of Africa.
Our main challenge was to create a fine dine experience keeping the spirit of this rustic space intact. Our main challenge was working with existing dilapidated structure which was a double pitched sloping workshop and kept on giving us surprises. We asked ourselves– What’s it like to have a fine dine restaurant in a dilapidated workshop of mill inspired by the African colors and have a casual outdoor space highlighting Baobab the tree? Our attempt was to take advantage of the existing character through our design by creating an emblematic indoors with the marriage of rustic and fine dine aesthetics.
Black and red forms the main material palette of the indoors while the outdoor is accentuated by natural stones with a symbolic Baobab tree inspired by the natural landscape of Africa. The palette is accentuated with copper and wood to create a visually stunning appeal.
From the main entrance, one can see through the restaurant to the back lit bar at the far end with the hint of red. The restaurant’s seating formations are diverse and varied, allowing for versatile social engagement. The dining consists of clusters of booths and free tables. The outdoor rustic ambience supports less formal and casual conversations.
The original rusted GI sheets on the existing roof were replaced with clay tiles keeping the old wooden trusses intact. A skylight was introduced at the junction of two roofs in the under lit space creating a connection with the nature in the heart of the space.
The concentric circle flooring in black cuddapa stone subtly leads your vision towards the center of the place under the skylight and is highlighted in red, leading you to the sky above which is the fifth element of the palette. The central red area hosts a communal dining space.
The art-deco chandeliers at the bar add an exquisite touch to the dining space. The bespoke lighting in the interior sets a tone for more personal conversations, making the space more intimate. The entire furniture has been customized as per the design.
Conceptualized as a space inspired by Africa, one can see creative flourishes in the menu design and crockery as well.
The table numbers have been derived from the birthdates of people associated with project right from carpenter, site supervisor to the designer & partners in this restaurant. This simple gesture creates a sense of belonging for everyone who has been an integral part of creating this restaurant in their own capacity.
Designed By: Amoeba Design
Project Type: Restaurant
Location: Pune
Plot Area: 5000 SQ.FT.
Built-up Area: 4000 SQ. FT
Project Size: 5000 Sq.ft. (Indoor + outdoor)
Project cost: Rs.1.15 Crore
Seating Capacity: 200 pax capacity
Year Built: 2019
Project Duration: 8 months
Principal Architects: Ar. Pashmin Shah & Ar. Satyajeet Patwardhan
Civil Contractor: Kailash Kumavat
Interior Designers: Amoeba Design
Landscape Architects: Amoeba Design
Structure Engineers: Deltacom Consultants
Lighting Designers: Amoeba Design
Interior Styling: Amoeba Design
Text Courtesy: Amoeba Design
Photograph Courtesy : Pulkit Sehgal & Rohan Joshi
Firm’s Facebook Link: Amoeba Design
Firm’s Instagram Link: Amoeba Design
For Similar Designs >> Barometer – Rustic Yet Classy Restaurant Interior
The Varnam Edit is a deeply personal 3,000 sq. ft. south Indian home design residence located in Adarsh Premia, Banashankari, Bangalore. It is designed by Swati Seraan and her team at By The Riverside for a remarkable mother-daughter duo, Mrs. Bhagya Devi and Ms. Kavya. This South Indian Home Design Is An Epitome Of Comfort […]
In a quiet pocket of Mumbai, within the city’s layered urban fabric, an ancestral home long remembered has found its way into the present. Architect Rajesh Atha Studio’s latest 1,200-square-foot residential project introduces Hindustani Hygge, a design philosophy that reinterprets ancestral spatial principles like the aangan and verandah for contemporary apartment living. Travel A Journey […]
In a world increasingly shaped by aesthetic algorithms and ephemeral trends, Nostalgia offers an introspective counterpoint with its humble design. Designed by Swathy Sivaraman of Storeyboard Design, this villa emerges not as a showpiece but as a soul-space — a dwelling where memory, material, and meaning intertwine with rare subtlety. Rather than chase spectacle, the […]
Studio KNest had the privilege of designing a divine house in the sacred town of Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh—an experience both humbling and awe-inspiring. Our client, a Krishna devotee from the USA, wanted to capture Vrindavan’s spiritual essence explicitly within his second home. We, too, thus shared the vision and have tried to portray the rich […]
“Cascade 301” draws its name from the natural, uninterrupted movement of water — a symbol of fluidity, grace, and continuous transition. Inspired by the fluid rhythm, this tranquil home embodies seamless spatial transitions and understated elegance. Designed as a sanctuary within the city, this multigenerational home balances private retreats with shared spaces, creating an atmosphere […]
A thoughtful exploration of how tradition can exist within the framework of minimalism, this residential apartment is where art doesn’t just beautify but defines the architecture itself. Guided by the core theme of ‘Indian traditional aesthetic with a minimal contemporary approach’, the interiors reflect a seamless integration of cultural depth and modern restraint in its […]
Designed for a young couple whose tastes gracefully oscillate between Indian ethnic charm and contemporary minimalism, this 3BHK duplex, adorned with patterns and textures, is as unique as it is intentional. Their offbeat hobbies and vibrant lifestyle called for thoughtful zoning and nuanced customisation — not just a house, but a home that mirrors their […]
Evara was born from a vision to create a home that feels like a pause button in the midst of an ever-moving city. Rooted in the calming essence of nature and the free-spirited character of bohemian style, this 1500 sq. ft. residence was imagined as a retreat. It is a place where every corner whispers […]
The entrance foyer sets the first impression of the Vastu home Chandradev residence, carefully designed to embody both warmth and sophistication. The palette here draws inspiration from earthy stone textures paired with subtle golden accents, creating a welcoming yet refined ambience. Italian marble with soft veining finishes the flooring, lending a sense of elegance while […]
Located in the heart of Hiranandani Estate, Thane, Samatvam is a thoughtfully designed 3BHK residence designed by ANS Design House. The home strikes a perfect balance between earthy elegance and modern sophistication. Envisioned by Principal Interior Designer Shivangi Shahane Phanse and Ar. Amit N. Phanse, the space seamlessly integrates natural elements with a modern aesthetic, creating […]