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
Tucked away in the folds of the Sahyadri hills, this 6,500-square-foot villa offers a sanctuary far removed from Mumbai’s restless rhythm. The design of the home is inspired by the client’s fondness for North India’s hill stations, places where old-world sentiment naturally blends with the appeal of modern rustic houses. A harmonious palette of muted […]
The journey into Sukoon begins with an arched entrance foyer, meticulously clad in a subtle laminate that gently introduces the home’s overarching design language. More than just a passageway, the foyer serves as a symbolic portal into a world defined by softness and sophistication. This interiors home blends soft tones, thoughtful layouts, and intimacy, where […]
Great design is not just about aesthetics, it is about storytelling, about weaving a home that breathes with the lives of its inhabitants. Every curve, every shadow, every whisper of light is intentional. My architectural journey, shaped by the lush landscapes of Arunachal and Assam and refined at Sir J.J. College of Architecture in Mumbai, […]
The 3 bhk bungalow of 1600 sq. ft is located in Gandhidham, Kachchh, Gujarat. It is a 3-bedroom bungalow design that serves as a home for a family of six, who are traditionally driven and rooted in their culture and the simplicity of life. They required a swing to have in the living room for […]
Our design philosophy centres around harmonious contrast—the art of blending diverse materials in a way that feels both bold and balanced. In this project, we’ve subtly mixed different metals such as gold, chrome, and black accents throughout the space. Reflecting our approach to artistic interior designs, these metallic touches have been thoughtfully integrated to enhance […]
Located in the dynamic and ever-evolving UNO Business Park, our latest project for Kalindi Builders presented a unique opportunity to blend legacy with contemporary sensibilities. The brief was clear: create a workplace that felt aspirational yet grounded, sophisticated yet approachable. At Studio Pushp, we translated this vision into an office that balances design innovation with […]
This 3600 sq.ft. floor layout embodies an aesthetic home with a spacious yet minimalist appeal, carefully balancing simplicity with intricate design details and high-end materials. The result is a warm, inviting space that seamlessly combines functionality and elegance. The material palette reflects a harmonious blend of exotic wooden veneers, muted wall tones, polished finishes, mural […]
Nestled in the bustling city of Mumbai, this vintage interior design style residence serves as a serene oasis for a couple who share a deep passion for art, literature, and nostalgia. Having lived in the house for many years, they have curated a stunning collection of artworks, paintings, and books that beautifully reflect their refined […]
This 3500 sq. ft. aesthetic salon and beauty studio located in the leafy neighborhood of Jubilee Hills, is an example of quiet transformation—an old bungalow re imagined into a boutique salon that feels more like a retreat than a commercial space. The client, a renowned makeup artist in Hyderabad, had long envisioned a space that […]
The Woven Home: A soulful nest, serene and warm, where textures weave a quiet charm. A nod to cane and rattan grace, in every corner, a soft embrace. Tactile tales in wood and thread, where timeless beauty gently spreads. Rooted in natural interior design, here, form meets feeling—calm and true, a woven world in every […]