
Spread over an area of 3,500 square foot, Think of it! The restaurant at Surat is the best eatery place for the people who like to enjoy food amidst nature. Located in a quiet by-lane and surrounded by trees, this al fresco diner is warm and inviting. This is also a WADE Asia Winning project under Excellence–Hospitality Category in 2019.

The project was undertaken by Studio Lagom, which is known for creating spaces that have a strong connection with nature. Architect Krishna Kapadia led this project by incorporating elements like stone and wood finished that offer it an exceptional touch.

The colour scheme — a predominance of an earthy red, with a dash of blue at the entrance and materials — leftover stone arranged in a homely mosaic, smooth swells of cement and MS are aligned to a rustic look.
As restaurant typology at Surat sees a predominance of eateries operating within enclosed, air-conditioned environments, this place gives the city what is lacking- an open-air restaurant with greenery all around. Inspired by nature and all things organic, this project integrates a design that kept the built-form to the minimum and the use of economic materials to rationalise project costs.
Lush with Tropical Greenery
How can a garden restaurant be without plants! Curated tropical greenery — frangipani, heliconia, dracaena, bamboo, banana, bougainvillaea, and many more — imbue the restaurant with natural freshness. Strategic plantings — as borders, in the centre of the courtyard, a small bed in the paving of an open section, create a lush natural look. The plants, smooth cement waves and stone mosaics wisely made to give the place a breezy outside feel.

Ergo, a wide landscaped elevated set-back was created as a transition from the street level to the fly-ash brick masonry wall that marked the ‘boundary’ of the restaurant. This green band would serve as a street-side cafe, handy for a quick bite or cuppa.

A Dash Of Blue To Cool Down the Hot Red Scheme
Ergo, a wide landscaped elevated set-back was created as a transition from the street level to the fly-ash brick masonry wall that marked the ‘boundary’ of the restaurant. This green band would serve as a street-side cafe, handy for a quick bite or cuppa.
Beyond the wall, the entry was orchestrated through a lobby-like enclosed space (abutted by a waterbody) that ‘releases’ you into the restaurant proper, with a central the colour scheme — a predominance of an earthy red, with a dash of blue at the entrance and materials — leftover stone arranged in a homely mosaic, smooth swells of cement and MS are aligned to a rustic look.The open courtyard and peripheral semi-enclosed areas. The visual aesthetic within is organic and free-flowing, with materials, colours and forms that are grounded to the earth.

While to one side of the entrance lobby is a section shielded by a slim undulating ferrocement wall with cut-outs — more screen than a wall — to the other is an open section, both are roofed by corrugated GI sheets whose edges are cut such that they, collectively, reinforce the organic look and feel.

Overhead salvaged construction iron rods form an undulating installation, almost like a heavily contoured site manifested as a wireframe drawing. Its shadows create a rippled effect on the floor, distorting views and adding more dynamism to the vistas.
Project Details
Name: Think of It! Restaurant
Location: Surat
About Krishna Kapadia
Architect, Studio Lagom, Surat
Krishna Kapadia believes in architecture that gives importance to the beauty of each material, by creating the right balance between less and more; something that is always in harmony with nature. She has been working with Studio Lagom for 2 years. She was the Winner of the WADe Excellence–Hospitality Award in WADE ASIA 2019. She also bagged the Second Runner Up Award in the Emerging Architect category.
*Winning Project: Excellence–Hospitality
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