Cream Affair: A Dessert Studio with a Twist

Reviving Pondicherry's Beach Promenade Vibe in an Innovative Dessert Studio

Goutaman Prathaban & Madhini Prathaban drew inspiration from Pondicherry's history as a French colonial town, where the beach played a central role in the lifestyle of its inhabitants. The design aims to recreate the casual, enjoyable experience of indulging in desserts at the beach. The pastel colour palette, featuring hues of blue, yellow, and pink, mirrors the bright colours of ice creams, further enhancing the beach vibe.

The uniqueness of Cream Affair lies in its innovative and contemporary design. The dessert studio features a galleria leading up to a mezzanine cube seating area, providing an ideal space for interaction. The galleria, coupled with the contemporary industrial finish of the interiors, sets the dessert studio apart from others.

Despite the short construction timeframe, the design was realized using a composite of steel and concrete. The galleria was prefabricated off-site and assembled on-site, with a thin layer of concrete made using the ferro cement technique. White Glossy Vitrified tiles were laid after proper curing of the concrete layer.

The galleria steps serve a dual purpose: they provide access to the mezzanine level and also function as an informal group seating area, promoting interaction. The use of pastel colours contributes to creating the right ambience for the dessert studio. The design, which covers an area of 900 sq.ft, was completed in just 12 days, from concept to execution, in August 2017.

The main challenge faced during the project was the quick construction timeframe. However, the designers successfully overcame this by adopting a unique design approach that met the client's brief and aesthetic requirements. The project was featured in the India Art and Design Magazine in September 2017 and was awarded Silver in the A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2018.

In conclusion, Cream Affair is a testament to the innovative and creative prowess of Goutaman Prathaban & Madhini Prathaban. The dessert studio, with its unique design and ambience, offers a fresh take on the dessert enjoying experience, truly embodying the spirit of Pondicherry's beach lifestyle.