Bangalore, traditionally known for its vibrant pub and nightlife culture, is now host to a new and off-beat dining concept. The city's friendly neighbourhood bar Watson's recently opened its new outlet in Indiranagar but with a twist—over the weekends, it transforms into Puma Shuffle, a pop-up street-style bar. Amitha Madan, principal architect, Treelight Design shaped the interiors of this hybrid bar. The architectural concept is inspired by the underground club culture around the world, where musicians take up any old unused building in the community and transform it into a performing space. The place is purposely designed with a neutral palette to imbibe two different identities.
Bangalore Restaurant: Oscillating Identities
The design is based on the concept of an alter ego, where the same person has two diametrically opposite personalities. Identities change between Watson's, a neighbourhood bar known for friendly banter, comfort food, retro music and an old school vibe, and Puma Shuffle, a creative and interactive space with an underground vibe that brings together live alternative music and subcultural communities.
Bangalore Restaurant: Spirited Section
The bar has a dilapidated structural design, giving it an old-world charm. The double height arched windows and the barrel roof with raw and unfinished surfaces gives the space a neutral yet regal feel. The design makes the place look like an old heritage property which is restored and converted into a neighbourhood bar.
Madan says, “It was a challenge designing the working of the dynamic bar bottle display-cum-light feature, which was engineered to move vertically. Another interesting aspect was the lighting, wherein the lights not just changed colour but also direction, so as to make the perception of architecture appear different.”
Bangalore Restaurant: Transformation Elements
Watson's bar has a retro feel with elements such as dim lighting and old-style wall art, whereas Puma Shuffle has colour changing LEDs that give the space an underground club vibe. A ‘switch' or an overnight renovation of entire layout is done, including the furniture. The performance platform, which is a portable DJ console, is also a big part of the transformation. While Watson's retains its comfort foods and drinks, Puma Shuffle offers visitors themed signature cocktails, named after edgy street-style dishes, along with finger foods.
Bangalore Restaurant: Sustainable Materials
The idea was to reuse and rebuild. Many materials like steel, wood, stone and glass were retained from the old structure to construct the current space. The building is also a LEED certified structure, optimising the use of natural light.
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