Studio A + S was tasked with designing Sansai, a 70-seater pan Asian restaurant. Named after the Japanese term “Sansai,” meaning mountain vegetables, the design aims to encapsulate the essence of authentic Asian culinary culture through a blend of natural elements and innovative design features.
Editor’s Note: “This Pan-Asian restaurant in Surat captures the essence of authentic culture through a seamless blend of natural elements. Inspired by lush vegetation, its design showcases spiral patterns in both flooring and ceiling, while a warm brown and beige palette enhances the earthy ambience throughout. The open kitchen concept along with functional and aesthetic seating enables transparency and openness of the design.” ~Simran Khare
This Pan Asian Restaurant Focuses on Creating a Visually Stimulating Environment | Studio A + S
After extensive research on the different types of plants and drawing inspiration from the unique forms of Kagomi and Zenmai plants, our design focuses on their distinctive shapes to create a visually stimulating environment.
Kagomi’s spiral shape is echoed in the ceiling and floor patterns, while Zenmai’s form is reflected in the island seating design. This botanical influence seamlessly integrates with the overall theme of mountains, guiding the creation of various furniture elements to emulate a mountainous landscape.
Breaking away from the traditional colour schemes of Asian restaurants that typically feature red, orange, and black, Sansai embraces a palette of natural greens, browns, and greys. This choice reflects the restaurant’s namesake and provides a tranquil, earthy ambiance.
The extensive use of natural materials, such as Terrazzo for the table tops executed by Concrete Expo, emphasizes the seamless integration of nature within the interior design.
Spatial Dynamics and Layout: The restaurant’s lofty ceilings amplify the spatial dynamics, allowing creative freedom to explore vertical design elements. The expansive glass windows invite ample natural light, which can be modulated with louvre blinds to create a dramatic lighting effect.
This interplay between natural and artificial light enhances the dining experience, adding depth and texture to the space.
Sansai’s seating arrangement is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The island seating, inspired by Zenmai, offers an intimate dining experience while maintaining an open, airy feel. Other furniture elements, designed to resemble mountain formations, contribute to the thematic consistency and provide a visual narrative that complements the overall concept.
Kitchen and Culinary Display: Emphasizing the artistry of Asian cuisine, the restaurant features an open kitchen concept. This design choice allows diners to observe the chefs at work, transforming the act of cooking into a captivating performance. The open kitchen not only enhances the dining experience but also aligns with the theme of transparency and natural flow within the space.
Studio Hissa’s hand-painted artwork enriches the interior, blending seamlessly with the Sansai theme. The artwork depicts mountainous landscapes intertwined with plant motifs, adding a layered visual interest that ties the entire design together. This artistic element reinforces the connection to nature and provides an additional focal point for diners.
Conclusion: Sansai stands out as a pan-Asian restaurant that defies conventional design norms. By incorporating natural elements, innovative plant-inspired shapes, and a soothing colour palette, the restaurant offers a multi-sensory dining experience. The thoughtful integration of spatial dynamics, an open kitchen concept, and handcrafted art pieces ensures that Sansai is not just a place to eat but a place to immerse oneself in a holistic culinary journey.
Fact File
Designed by: Studio A + S
Project Type: Restaurant/Bar/Café
Project Name: Sansai
Location: Surat
Year Built: June 2024
Duration of the project: 9 Months
Project Size: 3800 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Husain Cinemawala, Sagar Shah & Ar. Ashish Patel
Team Design Credits: Ar. Jay Patel, Ar. Kajal Rana & Harsh Shah
Photograph Courtesy: Noaidwin Sttudio
Products / Materials / Vendors: Wallcovering / Cladding – wall texture by – ME CASA / Lighting – MY LIGHTS, SURAT / Sanitaryware – KOHLAR / Furniture – CHAIRS – SAM PRODUCTS (SAGAR JAGIWALA) TERRAZO TABLE TOP BY CONCREEXPO / Flooring – RESTILE / Artefacts – WALL ART BY – STUDIO HISSA, SURAT / Project Managers – Aq Dot Corporation, Surat (Er. Vinesh Morker )
Firm’s Instagram Link: Studio A + S
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