Concept/Philosophy
There’s an old adage that says, ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’. The Big Bang embodies the same aesthetic. Located at Linking Road, one of the busiest commercial streets in Mumbai, the Big Bang proves to be a refreshing change from the ACP-clad buildings that surround it. The use of recycled materials such stacked Beer Bottles as the luminescent bar back, coupled with the inclusion of wooden seating that is salvaged; the space creates a sense of romanticism and whimsy that is often lost in brand coordinated spaces.
Program and Organization
Situated on one of the terraces of the myriad commercial buildings, it transforms rather unused terraces into positive outdoor seating environments for a bar and cafe. There are three contiguous spaces the bar has been divided into. One enters in the center inside a large indoor space which is flanked by two outdoor terraces on either side. Certain elements such as flooring and the furniture aesthetic extend from the inside to one of the outside terraces. This has also been covered by a trellis which allows for partial shading during the day. In the other larger terrace the prominent indoor bar counter extends from the central space to become an outdoor bar. The seating in this terrace is more varied and built-in which accommodates multiple sizes of groups.
Special features
Creating a recycled aesthetic
The restaurant is a testament to the recycled aesthetic. The scale of the Big Bang Bar is immediately apparent. The 13.5 foot high ceilings surrounded by glass, and the unusual patchwork of materials, offers a great potential to visually and physically connect and integrate the inside with the outdoors. Exposed ducting and ventilation hug the surface of the ceiling soffit in the main bar area. This rather industrial treatment of the ceiling only proves to draw attention to the large bar back wall. In a world where industrial waste is becoming an ever increasing problem, designers are realizing the environmental impact of construction and demolition and are now finding innovative and inexpensive ways to build environmentally friendly spaces. The Big Bang Bar is one such attempt at using reclaimed and recycled materials to create new spaces.
Gallery
