High On Desserts | Studio Artecus | New Delhi
The site was located in the heart of Delhi, Connaught Place, that has its own share of small desserts shops. The intend was to design an “Insta-worthy” clickable space that attracts the gen-z and millennial population, as the star products were waffles and churros. The shop speaks the sweet language, through pastel colours, that resonate with classic desserts like pastries and candies.
The main customer traffic were the pedestrians passing by the busy streets. Connaught place has façade and banner restrictions, so eye catching and strategic interiors along with marketing skills are the two tools that are used to increase the customer volume. The floral wall along with the neon sign, become the main attraction that draws people into the shop with just a glimpse as they cross the shop. The mirrors on the opposite wall multiply this effect and at the same time, create the illusion of a large space.
The biggest functional challenge was fitting activities like frying, cooking, baking for delicacies like churros, waffles, pancakes respectively along with the readymade pastries and a wide selection of beverages that they offer, into a small kitchen space. The kitchen space essentially needed to be open, that is completely visible to the customers at the billing counter. to allow people to customize the dressings. The mint green subway tiles gave an edge to the kitchen, yet not take away the attention of the feature wall. The functions are planned in such a way that all the heavy machines like hot case, oven etc. are kept in bottom and all the active equipments like waffle and crepe machines are placed on the counters to have easy access.
The wooden finishes at the lower end of the walls are the connecting thread with the first outlet of the brand in Rajinder Nagar, North East Delhi. Although, the brand has its own identity, yet this outlet was designed with a fresh concept in accordance with the demanding crowd of Connaught place.
The dessert items required the customers to sit and enjoy the delicious sweet flavors, thus the small outlet was designed with an efficient seating plan that allows people to sit in 2 different arrangements, face to face and linear, based on their preference. The arrangement at the same time, does not hinder the view of the people passing by nor interrupts in the functionality of the services. The first floor of the property is used for cold storage and other miscellaneous activities.
The ceiling has a custom-made light installation, with gold brushed finish. The crisscross arrangement of the metal rods not only highlights the ceiling but has a functionality attached to it. The metal bars allow the client to change the hanging lights whenever they want and also gives a permanent framework to hang decorations based on festivals and seasons, which is another way to boost customer influx.
FACT FILE
Project Name : High On Desserts, Cp Branch
Design House : Studio Artecus
Principle Architects : Ar. Molliee Seth & Ar. Nimisha Bhagat
Project Location : Connaught Place, New Delhi
Project Year : 2022
Photography Credits : Shades Studio Photography
