Experience The Old-World Charm of Bengal With This Contemporary Bar And Lounge in Kolkata

Source: Salient Design Studio

The stoic walls of a structure have stories embedded in them if unearthed with sensitivity and intent. One of the most wonderful things about creating in the 21st century is that multiple time-periods and narratives can be experienced within the confines of one structure. Designers and architects are almost weaving narratives within the scope of their work. One such studio is the Salient Design Studio. Principal architect Vivek Singh Rathod and principal landscape architect Anuradha Rathore marry context with an environment to create relevant spaces that stand the test of time and house multiple experiences. They believe that design is an art of discovery and hence, it is very important that research and humility guide their design ideology.

The multi-disciplinary studio’s latest project, The Swig, is a take on representation of local contexts within the framework of plush vintage and post-modern architecture form. Their language is a representation of the ancient tale of the Bengali Zamindar (landlord) lifestyle of old Bengal. The Swig celebrates the old world charm of the English influence and the life of zamindars and attempts to reminisce the experience through architectural expressions and Victorian-styled cast iron design and woodwork. The Swig rests eloquently at the splendid boutique hotel, RaajKutir in Kolkata, India. It is a bar-lounge designed to narrate the tale of 19th century Bengal through sensitive design interventions. Parallels have been drawn with regional contexts and modern typography and form.

The programming of The Swig is is a bar lounge that celebrates the opulence of the zamindar lifestyle. It includes the memories of the Naach Ghar and the Kaanch Ghar in its decor and personality. An existing staircase was enclosed and translated to become the social hub of the Raaj Kutir Courtyard. The architectural language is accentuated with their victorian cast that allows for an interesting sense of connection with the inside and the outside of a courtyard palace. Cast iron filigree, coupled with glass, gold, and mirror brings in experiential elements of royalty and fine living. The space serves as a transcendental experience for their users and promises an out worldly curation in the heart of the city. The space glows like a tall lantern calling the guests in for a wonderful experience of timelessness.

The Swig resonates the medley of a symphony and the temperament of a painting coupled with comfort, deliberate design, and quality representation and is the perfect place to celebrate grandeur and the old-world nostalgia.