Keshav Kutir Restaurant at Vadodara, by Manoj Patel Design Studio

The client’s rationale was to create a captivating space within the 1600 sq. ft. area that would serve as a restaurant with dine-in and take-away service. The aim of the project was to given a complete new experience to the diners of this 16 year old restaurant that had been shifted to a new location.

Keshav Kutir Restaurant at Vadodara, by Manoj Patel Design Studio 1The client’s rationale was to create a captivating space within the 1600 sq. ft. area that would serve as a restaurant with dine-in and take-away service. The aim of the project was to given a complete new experience to the diners of this 16 year old restaurant that had been shifted to a new location. The major criteria to keep in consideration was that the space was rented and thus the client insisted on developing a low cost design with the use of reusable material that would facilitate them to shift or expand in future. Client describes his personal inclination towards to a climatically controlled space with ample light and a moderate temperature inside the restaurant. All though, the client expressed many interests, he encouraged us to be imaginative and inventive while designing the restaurant so as to set up a vibrant, colorful and dynamic space that is appealing to any passerby from the front road.


Concept Note

Keshav Kutir Restaurant at Vadodara, by Manoj Patel Design Studio 3
Layout Plan

The first and most important basis of the layout was to allow maximum functional space utilizing that could support combined seating plans. The selection of the overall materials and finishes were made keeping in mind that the space was rented. Thus the entire process of selection was focused on low cost and reusable materials. To ensure a controlled climate inside the restaurant, number of alternatives for the roofing system was considered. Roofing material and insulation were thought for experiencing pleasant atmosphere in most cost effective way. Studying the climate and position of the sun throughout different months of the year, a north facing entry for the restaurant was adopted in order to minimize the heat conduction through the metal façade.

Design Process
The layout of a restaurant was worked up on contemplating factors such as operational work flow and various placement options that could provide communal dining experience. The design and development process involved understanding the clients’ requirement, optimizing space utilization and maintain budgets while ensuring that the design remains focused on the target customers. Use of innovative material gave us a great opportunity to work with different joinery details and to play by overlapping materials. Also, according to the client’s requisite, the graphical aspect of the design was given keen attention keeping the entire ambiance of the restaurant colorful yet light. Soothing temperature being one of the chief elements, a cavity in the roof was created. As an addition, waste thermocol was installed to create a low cost insulation that would minimize the heat transfer from the roof. The ventilation provided in the roof plays a significant role in the design as well as function by encouraging the hot air to escape from the top.

Drawings:

Project Facts:

Project title – keshav kutir Restaurant
Architect : Manoj Patel Design Studio
Completion Year : june 2018
Project Location : Vadodara, Gujarat, India
Design Team : Manoj Patel, Shivani Tamboli, Ajay Prajapati, Nirmal Arapada
Photographer : Tejas Shah
Text : Ruchi Mudkavi
Material : corrugated metal sheet

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recent

Edwin Lutyens' bust which was replaced by C. Rajagopalachari's bust in Rashtrapathi Bhavan

“Changing The Statue Does Not Change the Room”—Geethu Gangadhar on Edwin Lutyens’ Bust Removal

The current Indian government replaced Edwin Lutyens’ bust with freedom fighter C. Rajagopalachari’s at Rashtrapati Bhavan, framing it as decolonisation. But symbolic gestures don’t dismantle colonial mindsets embedded in governance, caste, and institutions. Geethu Gangadhar raises an important question: whether this removal is a way to eradicate colonial baggage or systemic removal of history.

Read More »
Massing during construction, retaining the exposed concrete facade composition, cross columns and profiled beams. Archival collection of Tibet House, 1977. Accessed in 2026

Brutalist India | Tibet House, New Delhi

As part of Brutalist India series Bhawna Dandona writes about Tibet House in New Delhi which is a non-profit cultural centre dedicated to preserving Tibetan heritage, founded in 1965 at the Dalai Lama’s request. The current building’s foundation was laid in 1974, with architect Shivnath Prasad.

Read More »
Vivek Rawal

Architecture, Power, and the Poor | “As a profession, architecture lacks moral position and has become complicit in the neoliberal dispossession of the poor.”—Vivek Rawal

Vivek Rawal argues that architecture—as a profession—is structurally aligned with political and economic power rather than social justice. He critiques how architectural education and practice prioritise developers and real estate over communities, turning housing into a market commodity. Even movements like sustainability and participation, he says, often become tools for elite consumption rather than genuine empowerment. True moral reform, according to Rawal, would mean architects relinquishing control and enabling community-led design and housing decisions.

Read More »
The Chunli Guesthouse, Shanghai, China by TEAM_BLDG 1

The Chunli Guesthouse, Shanghai, China by TEAM_BLDG

The Chunli Guesthouse, Shanghai, China by TEAM_BLDG’s response to nature, memory, and the spirit of place. The design takes “Catching” as its spiritual core, emphasizing the relationship between the architecture and the surrounding rice field landscape.

Read More »

Featured Publications

New Release

Stories that provoke enquiry into built environment

www.architecture.live

Subscribe & Join a Community of Lakhs of Readers

We Need Your Support

To be able to continue the work we are doing and keeping it free for all, we request our readers to support in every way possible.

Your contribution, no matter the size, helps our small team sustain this space. Thank you for your support.

Contribute using UPI

Contribute Using Cards