The cafe’s design, akin to crafting a delicate croissant, showcases the artistry of form and function. True to its concept, the café has been designed in layers and each layer has been meticulously crafted: for instance the display counter and bench seating, fashioned from perforated bricks filled with concrete, create a captivating graphic effect. Interestingly, the construction process of each perforated terracotta brick hole filled with cement mirrors the artistry of filling pastries.
The café that been branded ‘Sowl’ is a brew room and bakehouse which promises to be an organic and sustainable café with their thoughtful produce and conscious menu. Sowl, the bakehouse, embodies ‘sustainable, organic, wholesome, and local’—an acronym that encapsulates its ethos.
Editor’s Note: As one enters this café the aroma of the coffee and the baked goodies makes one feel utmost level of comfort and peace. The interior holds the elements of the bakery with its material and texture. The layers of croissant resonates with the undefined textured layers on the wall. Just how a pastry allows the baker to explore, experiment and produce an immersive and flavorful food, the same way the designer has explored with brick and concrete and designed an absolute tranquil, refreshing and delightful space. ~ Shagun Shah
Fashioned From Perforated Bricks Filled With Concrete | The Storey Collective
Terracotta adorns the bakehouse ceiling, maintaining the intended lightness, while round paper lighting pendants add a touch of elegance. Horizontal textured walls echo the layers of a croissant, and the earthy color palette seamlessly intertwines with the furnishings. Overall the ceiling, the concrete-infused perforated bricks, and the paper pendant lights create a graphic allure.
Sowl is split on two zones – an indoor air conditioned space with the display counter and minimal seating as well as an outdoor airy space which is styled to make it feel like a cozy lounge. The café’s dialectic approach to materiality juxtaposes the heaviness of the pattern bricks against the lightness of arched window glazing and minimal furniture and fine veneers.
Colours were chosen to complement the furnishings and predominantly white to act as a backdrop. We have used earthy colour palette, dotted throughout the entire space that intermingles with other objects – the entryway, the rugs, vintage lampshades, decors, hanging lights, chairs and the display shelves in the indoor. It is a playful journey that invites one to join the dots.
Colours, thoughtfully chosen to complement the furnishings, create a harmonious backdrop, weaving through the entire space—from entryways to the interior décor, pendant lights, jute rugs and the vintage lampshades. Sowl’s design invites the users on a playful journey, enticing them to connect the dots in this soulful and sustainable culinary haven.”
The overall materiality and the warmth of the space add an ethereal touch and the bakehouse stands as a testament to the delicate dance between design and gastronomic inspiration. We love how the space feels light and airy at an instant glance, with subtle hues and a raw yet chic material palette, the space throws off an instantly comforting vibe and the materials sourced locally gives us a fulfilment of being able to use the local talent and resources to create a one of a kind ambience.
Fact FileDesigned by: The Storey Collective
Project Type: Café Interior Design
Project Name: SOWL – Brewroom & Bakehouse
Location: Chennai, India
Year Built: 2023
Duration of the project: 4 Months
Project Size: 1200 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Ar. Nikhita Reddy
Team Design Credits: Ar. Rukaiya Madraswala & Ritika Baid Mutha
Photograph Courtesy: SathishConsultants for the Project: Interior Designers –Ar. Nikhita Reddy, Ar. Rukaiya Madraswala, Ritika Baid Mutha
Firm’s Instagram Link: The Storey Collective
Firm’s Facebook Link: The Storey Collective
For Similar Project>> A Bespoke Furniture Store Designed With The principle Of Colour Blocking
An Urban Family Alcove Nestled in the heart of Nashik, this 3BHK city home residence, designed by PiNiK_The Architect’s Design Studio, is a refined reflection of serene sophistication, blending tactile textures, natural palettes, and curated detailing. Crafted for a family seeking timeless design with contemporary functionality, every space within this home unfolds as a sensorial […]
Aangan, a 4BHK residence in Whitefield, Bangalore, beautifully balances cultural design with modern sensibilities, creating meaningful spaces for every generation. Rooted in the spirit of the wada, the design reinterprets traditional elements like intricate woodwork, earthy textures and regionally inspired art in a fresh, contemporary language. The Cultural Design Of This Bangalore Home Balances Culture And […]
The Portrait House redefines the idea of joint family living, blending classical refinement with modern comfort. This 2900 sq.ft. home designed frames the story of three generations under one roof through timeless design and heartfelt detail that celebrates both individuality and togetherness. This Home For A Joint Family Blends Classical Design And Modern Comfort | […]
The design style of this luxury flat is predominantly contemporary, offering a perfect blend of comfort and sophistication. The space features expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing an abundance of natural light to flow seamlessly throughout. Natural materials such as marble, wood, glass, and metal are thoughtfully incorporated, creating a refined yet inviting atmosphere. Warm textures and […]
Nestled within the vibrant neighborhood of Agrawal Palazzo in Borivali, Urban Zen is a 1200 sq. ft. 3BHK residence envisioned as a calm refuge from Mumbai’s relentless pace. Designed by Maitri Doshi, Founder and Principal Designer of Msttudio. The home is a study in restraint, mindfulness, and modern contemporary expression. It celebrates the poetry of […]
This interior project beautifully blends modern sophistication with warm, traditional undertones, creating an inviting yet elegant living space. Each area — from the living and dining zones to the bedrooms — demonstrates an impeccable balanced design between functionality, comfort, and refined aesthetics. The design language across the home is cohesive, characterized by natural materials, earthy […]
Set against the verdant backdrop of Malabar Hills and overlooking the Hanging Gardens, this residence forms the lower half of a duplex. The designers conceived it as a self-contained apartment for a young family of five. This floor houses four bedrooms, a small sit-out, a utility area, and staff quarters. They planned it with precision […]
A stone fireplace glows softly, with a Chesterfield sofa drawn close beside it. Above, timber rafters stretch across the ceiling while a curved wooden staircase with wrought iron rails peeks from within; and for a moment, one is reminded of the lobbies of old colonial style hotels. The Earthy house: An 8,000-square-foot penthouse in Indore, […]
This residence is a 4bhk flat living poem, thoughtfully designed to echo a way of being that’s both intentional and deeply personal. Its essence is woven from natural light and a fluid, open grace between spaces, rendering the home a calm, grounded sanctuary perfectly attuned to the rhythms of everyday life. Every element whispers purpose, […]
In the heart of Bangalore, this french inspired 3BHK, 2000 sq ft residence unfolds as a composition of curated calm. It is designed for a well-travelled family who migrated from Kerala and spent decades abroad. the home draws on a wide palette of cultural, material, and spatial references. It reflects the confluence of a life […]