Forefathers restaurant has opened in Hyderabad’s Jubilee Hills neighborhood, featuring interiors by 23 Degrees Design Shift, architecture from RE Associates, and outdoor landscaping by Studio Gaea.
The 6,700-square-foot venue consists of a trio of terracotta gable-roof canopies, enveloping a concrete-steel composite core that houses indoor and semi-open dining spaces across three levels.
Fragmented steel columns, reminiscent of branching trees, support the soaring canopies while introducing a sculptural dynamic. Square glass insets within the roof tiles punctuate the architecture, casting geometric shadows that evolve throughout the day and connect the interior to the changing light outside.
The journey through Forefathers
The spatial sequence orchestrates a dramatic guest experience. A monumental entry passage leads to the main volume, where a 40-foot peaked roof creates a vibrant stage for music and split-level dining.
The integration of mezzanines and a visually open bar area enhances social flow, while glass walls segue into a semi-open backyard. Here, terraced seating modules, interspersed with lush landscaping and water features, foster privacy without physical dividers and an organic interaction with nature.
A uniform material palette
Traditional materials that allude to the concept of “forefathers” lie at the heart of the restaurant’s design ethos. Handmade bricks, terracotta tiles, and fly ash brickwork speak to the region’s legacy of craftsmanship, while their application—via contemporary structural techniques—signals a dialogue between past and present. The concept also embodies a paradox of simplicity and complexity—minimalism is achieved through unified materials, while intricacy is introduced through detailed brick patterns.
A centerpiece of the design is a sculptural installation, conceptualized by Baaya Design Studio, featuring fabric cubes that highlight the rich traditional crafts of Telangana, including Kalamkari, Pochampally, and leather puppetry.
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