Padmanabham is a south Indian restaurant designed in Connaught Place, Delhi. The brief was to design a south Indian restaurant near an existing one by retaining the site with minimum construction. The interior of the eatery portrays traditional south Indian style in an idealistic way. The name of the restaurant is based on Lord Vishnu’s incarnation Padmanabha; the Padma means lotus and nabha means navel which as a whole states lotus in his navel. The notion of the design is derived from the name of the place itself; Lord Vishnu and lotus is used in various forms as a design element.

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The character of the space lies in the bright colours and wooden texture, which are basically the ideation features of south Indian architecture. The revival of the existing structure is done by adding murals and motifs on the planes, taking inspiration from the temples of south India. Basically, Patterns and solid colours are used to incorporate visual balance in the space.

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The walls are manifested with paintings of Lord Vishnu, while the main wall at the entrance has twelve of its Avatars depicted, the other wall represents a scene of his marriage including other deities. All other walls are painted solid with lotus motifs. The floor is a representation of traditional Athangudi tiles in a subtle colour. A patch of mandalas and carved brackets runs in the centre of the ceiling with pendant lights in the form of Lotus and framework of wood along both of its sides. The wooden frame is supported by the famous Chettinad columns of the traditional architecture. The similar texture of the wood is followed in the whole space including the furniture.

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The restaurant design commemorates the traditional architectural style of Southern India.

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To check out the full project, click here.