This authentic Andhra restaurant redefines the gastronomic landscape by seamlessly blending the past and present. Telugu Medium, a hospitality venture spanning 5,200 square feet, nestles in the leafy urban enclave of Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. It stands as a testament to architectural ingenuity. Helmed by Sona Reddy Studio alongside her talented team, the space embodies a unique fusion of heritage and culinary excellence.
Editor’s Note: An enticing composition of exposed Karimnagar bricks and concrete planter boxes embraces this restaurant in a unique fusion of heritage and culinary excellence. The use of classic brick domes, vaults and exposed load bearing walls exude a spirit of rusticity and contemporary design. ~ Simran Khare.
This Authentic Andhra Restaurant Redefines The Gastronomic Landscape | Sona Reddy Studio
Telugu Medium spins a narrative deeply rooted in indigenous materials and vernacular building techniques. It is a celebration of the essence of the Deccan.
The exterior facade, adorned with exposed Karimnagar bricks, whispers tales of intrigue. The projecting bricks introduce a tactile layer of texture and concrete planter boxes marking the entrance.
The architecture engages massive brick domes, vaults, and exposed, load-bearing walls, minimizing the use of concrete and steel, thereby creating a passively cooler interior environment tailored for Hyderabad’s arid climate.
The alfresco waiting space, entirely paved in brick, seamlessly connects the building to its surroundings, while the northern edge hosts outdoor seating under sprawling canopies, creating an interplay with curved brick fins and inset portals framing views of the exterior.
Entering through a vestibule wrapped in brick, guests are welcomed into a dual-leveled restaurant featuring 13 ft high colossal walls and a double-height atrium suffused with natural light. This provides for a moment of pause to surrender and take in the immersive design vocabulary.
The furniture within Telugu Medium resonates with the space’s DNA, featuring a blend of timeless, simple, and evocative pieces that offer a modern interpretation of South Indian dining.
The ceiling becomes a canvas of the crafted brick domes and vaults, interacting with silhouette lighting to create an ever-changing atmospheric ambiance.
The interiors showcase brick-moulded ceilings, scaling concrete columns, pink lime plaster washed walls, and textured tandoor flooring, creating an uninterrupted composition that speaks to the soul of the Deccan.
The internal staircase soars into the double-height atrium infused with fluted glass for privacy and a play of light.
The ground level hosts a centrally located bar counter, characterized by locally sourced pink granite.
On the other hand, a rectangular pond with black limestone tiles and an expansive concrete bench creates a tranquil focal point.
Telugu Medium, through its exploration of indigenous materials and vernacular design, is a collision of worlds, creating an experience that goes beyond visual aesthetics.
It embodies the spirit of rusticity and contemporary design influences harmoniously coexist in one of the city’s most luxurious settings.
Fact File
Designed by: Sona Reddy Studio
Project Type:Â Restaurant
Project Name: Telugu Medium
Location: Hyderabad
Year Built: December, 2023
Project Size: 5200 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Sona Reddy
Team Design Credits: Sona Reddy, Anjali Miriyala & Jemy Joy
Photograph Courtesy: Pankaj Anand
Firm’s Website Link: Sona Reddy Studio
The Firm’s Instagram Link: Sona Reddy Studio
Firm’s Facebook Link: Sona Reddy Studio
For Similar Projects >> A Balance Of Contemporary Design And Traditional Elements Indulged In Hospitality
“Viraam,” a 4000 sq ft house design that embodies its literal translation: “a pause.” The vision is to create a sanctuary for relaxation, introspection, and to escape from the constant demands of daily life – an urban void for personal retreat. This 4000 sq ft House Design Unfolds Calm Lifestyle | Avani Mudra Design Reimagining […]
The facade of this Indian contemporary house design strikes a careful balance between solids and voids, with sculpted forms that reveal the inner workings of the space. The design plays with light and shadow, creating visual depth and intrigue from the exterior. The form resembles a cuboid that has been scooped out, while the outer […]
This 5 storey building takes inspiration from ancient haveli architecture. “Hailing from north India, the family held deep nostalgia for haveli, large residences with communal courtyards called chowks, projecting balconies called jharokhas and intricate brick or stone lattice screens called jaalis, vernacular to many western and northern regions of India,” said SJK Architects partner Vaishali […]
Set in the serene landscape of Nashik, the Dabholkar Residence by GDA is a home, embracing stone clad walls. Here, tradition and contemporary design exist in harmony. Designed to reflect the family’s deep connection to tradition and art while embracing the style of contemporary living, it is a space where architectural details, heritage furniture, artwork […]
This remodelling project aimed to revitalise a load-bearing house while respecting its original integrity and adapting it to contemporary needs. The design approach prioritised minimal structural intervention, allowing the existing framework to guide spatial reconfiguration. Careful consideration was given to preserving the load-bearing walls, which formed the backbone of the original construction. Openings were strategically […]
Redefining Indian temple architecture, the relocation of the existing shrine due to a new residential project presented an opportunity to design a space that seamlessly integrates tradition with contemporary needs. The given 400 sq. ft. site was envisioned not merely as a shrine to Lord Datta, a local deity, but as a vibrant community space, […]
Nestled within a 30×40 ft plot is the compact house design in Banashankari 6th Stage, Bengaluru. This residence for the Ellappans, reimagines traditional Indian living in a contemporary, spatially dynamic form. Designed for a family of three- Mr. Ellappan, his wife, and their teenage son- the house expresses a deep connection to vernacular roots while […]
This multi generational home is a testament to the ability of the design practice to blend aesthetic appeal with practical functionality. Keeping environmental sustainability and the welfare of the community at the forefront, Bhowal designed a home that was truly ahead of its time. His visionary approach and the Design Consortium’s expertise in providing a […]
The Indian farmhouse accommodation goes on to capitalize on a mature evolutionary synthesis of ancestral aesthetics and contemporary features. With this, the outside and the inside of farmhouses became places of comfort with nature. In this blog, we delve into 15 incredible farmhouse designs that entail a harmonious blending. While they exhibit different spaces in […]
Pillar design is a cornerstone of architectural elegance, seamlessly blending structural support with aesthetic appeal. Our blog, “50 Best Pillar Design Inspirations,” celebrates this essential element, showcasing a variety of styles from classical Doric and Ionic to contemporary and avant-garde innovations. Whether you’re an architect, interior designer, or a design enthusiast, these pillar design inspirations […]