Located in the heart of Vasant Vihar, New Delhi, this restaurant designed by groupDCA is a refreshing take on modern dining. Khi Khi is a contemporary bar with an Indian touch. Embodying a lively, energetic ambiance, this restaurant invites traditional Indian elements to meet modern aesthetics.
The size of a place shouldn’t dictate its appeal and ambiance. Khi Khi exemplifies this by incorporating an energetic charm into modest dimensions. Named after the Hindi word for giggles or laughter, the intent behind Khi Khi was to create a snazzy Indian tapas bar.
The design approach pays homage to the rich heritage of Indian handlooms and textiles and borrows certain elements that tie into the space.
Complete with an artistic charm, this restaurant achieves a fine balance of contemporary, and current aesthetics, and traditional, cultural elements. India’s cultural diversity and artistic legacy are evident throughout the space through numerous elements that have been intentionally introduced into the space.
The warm embrace of the restaurant creates an impressionable aura, captivating the guests. Vibrant and colorful elements emerge throughout the space while narrating the approach of fusion and balance. Loom-inspired threads have been spun across the ceiling to mirror the traditional handlooms. The arrangement invents an illusion of movement and creates a mesmerizing, suspended tapestry. This orchestra of threads also functions as a false ceiling, thus concealing all the services that are laid out on the ceiling.
The entrance features a fluted panel finish that is continued to the reception desk. The main bar runs in an L-shape and showcases an undulated stone finish. Next to it, the flooring adopts a playful copper inlay that represents traditional Rangoli designs. These intricate patterns draw the viewer in and add to the heritage-inspired feel of the whole space.
The dining area is laid out in an arrangement of booths, tables, and seating at the bar. This layout features an eclectic collection of chairs, bar stools, couches, and tables which render this place its inviting charm. The furniture incorporates shades of camel brown and copper, creating visual continuity and cohesiveness. These tones form the background palette of the restaurant and are seen in the light fixtures, soft furnishings, and dividing panels.
The showstopper in this space is Carpet Cellar’s bespoke creation. This carpet runs along the entire wall behind the bar and brings this space to life. The background palette of brown and copper enhances the colors of this vibrant piece and add an animated spirit to the entire space.
This masterpiece represents the collaboration between the creative efforts of brilliant minds and skilled hands. It is the main dynamic element that achieves the fusion of traditional and modern aesthetics. The matching color palette of the loom threads and the carpet add a vibrant touch to Khi Khi’s ambiance. This vibrance is also continued to the restroom area where a combination of striped and checked, black and white flooring complements the azure-tiled backdrop.
Just as the looms produce intricate textiles and the rangoli patterns tell stories through art, this bar weaves a narrative of happiness and connection. The mirthful ambiance, infused with the legacy of Indian textiles and handlooms, becomes a canvas where people create memories that are as enduring as the threads that bind cultures together.
| Project Information Location: New Delhi, India Area: 2200 sq ft Principal Architects: Amit Aurora & Rahul Bansal Photo Credits: Niveditaa Gupta |