BREWING NEW BEGINNINGS

In an attempt to restore old bungalows and blend vintage charm in modern buildings, café owners and architects in Chennai are transforming once lived-in houses into aesthetic hangout spots

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To keep the nostalgia alive, the team retained all the doors, windows, and walls and added furniture, aesthetic lighting, and flooring.

Swetha notes, “Some bungalows built in the 1920s by the British still stand tall and are revamped for people to witness architecture and culture.” Chandini Agarwal, an architect and interior designer, adds, “People can reminisce about the old way of construction, the techniques and architectural elements and features.”

Shared stories

Beyond just a trend, it is also reshaping eating experiences. Chandini believes that this practice is here to stay. Citing The Entrance Cafe as an example, she says, “Here, the previous garden area is reimagined and reshaped with a coy pond, which according to Vastu, is a great addition to have a water element at the entrance of a space and also adds as a good point of attraction when you are waiting to get your table. There isa seating setup around the pond for outdoor seating. Allof these elements are painted green, giving an antique feeling, because that is how a patina looks.”