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: 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
Located in the coastal village of Pererenan, Bali, House Terra is a contemporary response to tropical living, designed by Biombo Architects as a family retreat. The project balances built space and landscape, creating a strong connection between architecture and nature while offering shelter from the island’s monsoon climate. Editor’s Note: “House Terra, more than a […]
Located on a 15′ x 95′ ancestral plot in a pal village, Surat, India, this residence is designed for a multi-generational family of seven. This minimal home interior design solves light and space challenges within a narrow plot. The family wanted to stay connected with their community and preserve their cultural roots. The site has […]
“The sky’s ever-changing canvas, painted with hues of blues at dawn and greys and blacks at dusk, seamlessly weaves itself into the very fabric of this home’s architecture and interior.” Located in a comparatively narrow lane of bungalow plots, this modern exterior house design borrows its modern straight-line form and color from the sky. A […]
Timeless architectural features, such as courtyards, are always associated with bringing the naturally public forms to the world’s heart, building the most peaceful, secluded outdoor areas. These outdoor spaces maximize the living experience with their private space feature, which gives one the option for leisurely relaxation, recreation, or gardening. Furthermore, it has also been a […]
The residence is sensitively designed and compatible with the neighborhood. Distinct from neighboring structures, the building creates a strong relationship to the streets by virtue of its large windows in facades. While there are dramatic and larger scale elements that define the building, it is also broken down into comprehensible human scale blocks with an […]
This contemporary residence, covering 7500 square feet, combines modern design with timeless elegance to create a peaceful and luxurious retreat within a busy urban environment. The home is built around large frames that open up to nature, blending the interior with its surroundings. The design focuses on craftsmanship and harmony, making the simple contemporary house […]
Imagine walking into a sunlit room with high ceilings, warm wooden floors, and a view of a leafy courtyard. How do you feel? Calm? Inspired? At ease? That’s not just your mood—it’s your brain responding to the space around you. Neuroarchitecture is an evolving domain that merges the understanding of neuroscience, psychology, and architecture to […]
Architecture is more than just the construction of buildings, it is a reflection of our values, art, culture, and society. It is a movement towards new, promising, and philosophical design strategies. One such movement that significantly influenced the architectural landscape is Postmodernism architecture. In this research article, readers will find a comprehensive guide for Postmodernism […]
Mango Tree House is an artfully designed personal residence that seamlessly integrates traditional architectural elements with the comforts of modern living, embodying the essence of traditional modern home design. Some houses are more than just structures; they hold stories, memories, and a deep connection to the land. Mango Tree House is one such space—one that […]
What if the home of the future didn’t have walls? Modern architecture homes aren’t just about aesthetics – it’s a rebellion. A conscious break from tradition. In a world obsessed with innovation, our homes are becoming laboratories of design, sustainability, and radical thought. Modern architecture homes are sharp-edged, glass-wrapped, tech-infused sanctuaries that defy the standard. […]