The Biggie: A Restobar Designed to Celebrate Nature and Beer

Designing an Abandoned Warehouse-Inspired Restobar

Designed to resemble an abandoned warehouse, The Biggie started as an old house with a separate garage. To connect and envelop the two existing structures, a new mild steel structure was conceived, creating a large double-height central seating space. The first floor overlooks this space, which opens out to the garden behind, with its existing trees. The old areas were renovated to match the new spaces, resulting in a cohesive design that seamlessly blends the old and the new.

The design of The Biggie incorporates several unique features. The clay tile roof with glass inserts allows for a play of light and shadow throughout the day, creating a dynamic and visually appealing atmosphere. The use of exposed brick walls and fiber reinforced cement board partitions adds texture and character to the space. The flooring in the central seating area is a combination of yellow oxide and polished cement tiles, creating a visually striking pattern that adds to the overall ambiance.

When it comes to the realization of the design, The Biggie utilizes various materials and technologies. The new structure is made of texture-painted mild steel members, while the roofing consists of clay tiles, clay underlay tiles, and clay tiles with glass inserts. The flooring materials range from vitrified tiles and laminated wooden flooring to polished concrete, black kadappa stone, polished jaisalmer stone, composite decking planks, and artificial turf for the external deck and terrace areas.

With a site area of 489 sq.m and a built-up area of 405 sq.m, The Biggie offers ample space for guests to enjoy. The deck and terrace area, spanning 223 sq.m, provide additional seating options and a connection to the surrounding landscape. The design team, which includes architects Nidhish Kurup, Chaitra Saraf, and Shruti Bihani, along with site coordinator Alex Paul and architectural intern Sthuthi Kiran K T, worked together to bring this unique restobar to life.

The Biggie offers a truly immersive experience for its guests. The design intentionally creates a sense of surprise, with a narrow entrance passage leading to a foyer featuring an illusion of infinite beer bottles. The central seating area, with its double-height volume, serves as the main focal point and houses the long bar counter and a small stage for performances. The entire space frames the landscape behind and opens out to more seating in the garden, allowing guests to enjoy the natural surroundings.

The design and construction of The Biggie took place between March 2015 and March 2016. Throughout the process, the design team faced various challenges, including the speed of construction, the cost of the structure, and the weight of the materials used. To overcome these challenges, the existing load-bearing single-storey structure was retained, and a lightweight mild steel framework was used for the new structure. The design also prioritized retaining and highlighting the existing trees and plants on the site, making them an integral part of the user experience.

The Biggie has garnered recognition for its innovative design. It was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Architecture, Building, and Structure Design category in 2018. This prestigious award recognizes designs that exhibit strong technical and creative skills, contributing to quality of life improvements and making the world a better place.

The Biggie, with its unique design inspired by nature and beer, offers a truly memorable experience for its guests. From its abandoned warehouse aesthetic to its celebration of the surrounding greenery, this restobar stands out as a testament to innovative design in the realm of lifestyle and hospitality.