A Café For All

Aurangabad-based architect AbhidhaShah Vaidya integrates three stores to design a warm and invitingcaf

- Abhidha Shah Vaidya

Given just 55 days to conceptualize and design Hyde Out, a 24 by 7 café at Seven Hills in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, architect Abhidha Shah Vaidya quickly immersed herself in the turnkey project. She had to work on all aspects of the design that spanned integrating three shops in a commercial complex to the civil works, interiors, landscaping and branding. And the client’s faith in her efforts and design helped her wrap up the project and give them a completed café within the time frame.

A Compact Plan

In early November 2017, Abhidha was shown the 985 sq ft site, comprising three stores set in the corner of a commercial complex, located eight steps below road level. She was asked to design a café with a fresh, contemporary design, with dark interiors,that would appeal to all age groups. Further, the client wanted the café to be ready and operational before the festive week in the following month. All these requirements meant that she had to set the project moving at the earliest with different aspects of civil work and design being worked on simultaneously.

Abhidha opted for an open kitchen that would allow customers to see the staff at work and also help the staff gauge the number of customers in the café and their activity. The kitchen was set at the far right of the café with the billing counter next to it for convenience and centralized control of the café. The toilet was located in the centre of the rear end of the café, and the rest of the area left free for a mix of seating arrangements that would cater to different age groups as well as groups from single diners to couples and groups.

Prioritizing the Tasks