The design of this restaurant in Chandigarh is inspired by nature, much like the organic way a mushroom sprouts. The uncertainty requested by the concept posed the biggest design challenge, with the idea evolving through hand sketches and site wall markings. Intriguingly, no 3D visualizations or drawings were created.
Editor’s Note: “Inspired by nature’s organic beauty, the restaurant’s design sidesteps conventional plans for intuitive hand sketches. The space flows like a living organism, with walls merging into ceilings, furniture rising from the earth, and vines weaving through. It creates a cocoon-like sanctuary that beckons with poetic allure and immersive charm.” ~Shagun Shah
This Restaurant in Chandigarh is Inspired From Mushroom Sprouts | Projected Rays Design
Articulating forms and proportions in this organic flow creates a narrative where one steps into a utopian space, enjoying Pan-Asian food in a cocoon-like setting. The seamless flow of materials from walls to ceilings and the overlapping layers on the vertical planes evoke an underworld realm.
The furniture appears to emerge from the earth, merging seamlessly with the fluidity of the space. Wooden vines, representing organic growth, wrap throughout the space at different levels, adding unique aesthetic details. We knitted and curated each plane wrapped by the vines on-site without any drawings. The combination of amoebic forms with the circular vines enhances the organic feel.
The design creatively incorporates the three central columns by embedding them within planters that seem to sprout from the micro-concrete floor. We treat these columns as if they merge with the top and bottom planes, subtly blending into the environment. The skylight allows natural light to filter into the cocooned setup. Thus imitating voids in earth-sheltered pockets, with macramé nets and metal ribbed designs resembling spider webs.
We adorned the circular staircase with organic vines, inspired by a plant’s growth towards light. A planter at the center of the spiral staircase enhances its organic character.
The entrance features a dynamic play of curves and forms, wrapping around the walls and ceiling, with glimpses of light sources through pockets, creating an inviting and intriguing space.
The bar counter resembles an irregular earth formation, harmoniously blending with the surrounding environment and merging well with the overall ambiance.
Overall, you cannot merely describe the experience in words; you must live it by being present within it.
Fact File
Designed by: Projected Rays Design
Project Type: Restaurant/Bar/Cafe
Project Name: Zhu – A Panasian Par Experience
Location: Chandigarh Sector 7 Panchkula
Year Built: 2023
Duration of the project: 4 Months
Project Size: 2500 Sq.ft
Project Cost: 75 Lakhs
Principal Architect: Ar. Rohan Jain
Photograph Courtesy: Vaibhav Passi
Products/Materials/Vendors: Finishes – lime plaster / Construction Materials – lime plaster , micro concrete / Lighting – qu lite / Doors and Partitions – green lam / Sanitaryware – artize / Furniture – in house / Flooring – micro concrete / Paint – asian / Artefacts – charanjeet sculptor / Hardware – dorset
Consultants for the Project: Civil – udit ananad / Interior Designers – projected rays / Landscape Architects – perennial landscapes / MEP & HVAC Consultants – daiken / Structure Engineers – rakhra associates / Contractors – udit anand / Project Managers – udit anand / Interior Styling- rohan jain
Firm’s Instagram Link: Projected Rays Design
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