Iron Interior Space and Exhibition Design · 2020
Rope Terrace Cafe
- A' Design Award 2020 Iron Winner in Interior Space and Exhibition Design
- Awarded April 15, 2020
- CLIENT: The Grid Architects
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 17,969
- Verification code E88CBC0132 · Verify this award
About Rope Terrace Cafe
Rope is a terrace cafe designed as an open rooftop space. The project is named after jute rope, a local, low cost and recyclable material used to form woven canopies and partitions. The canopies take inspiration from the traditional Indian charpoy and define separate seating islands. Jute has low thermal conductivity, and watered jute helps keep the surrounding air cool. The flooring is made of recycled babool wood laid on aluminium frames so that water can drain below. Recycled corrugated sheets shade the south west facade.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Jute rope which gives the cafe its name sees liberal usage owing to its eco-friendliness, this is a humble material which can take any form and transform a space, doesnot have thermal conductivity thus helps to maintain temperature, not absorbent and retains heat. Watered jute keeps the surrounding cool, easy handling, locally sourced and locally crafted - eco-friendly, sustainable, handled easily and cost effective
- Dimensions & Packaging
- the south-west facade features corrugated sheet as a protective layer from harsh sunlight, while rhythmically installed planks help channelize wind currents, plants help to maintain the moisture in the air and keep the environment cool. The flooring is recycled babool wood sourced from the forest department for very low cost. The wood was not directly screwed on the floors so as to not damage the waterproofing layer for the offices below. Flooring modules with aluminium frames were laid such that water flows easily below it. The artistically designed sit-outs offer a versatile way to create compositions that are easily adapted to their own.
- Tags
- #architecture, #architects, #thegridarchitects, #retail, #indiandesign, #indianarchitect , #indiadesignworld, #ropecafe, #rooftop, #design, #rope, #shadow, #sciagraphy, #light, #yellow, #recreationaldesign, #hospitality, #cafedesign, #cafe, #openspaces, #modern, #contemporary, #black, #arrival, #art, #designsolutions, #archdaily, #ahmedabad, #wovencanopy, #recycle, #reuse, #sustainable
- Production Technology
- the open layout design and the striking use of materials and simplicity of form emerged from reinforcing the purpose of the humancentric design, building by-laws precluded the possibility of any kind of permanent or semi-permanent structure. After much discussion the designers chose the traditional Indian charpoy as the inspiration for developing space modulating partitions and canopies that would define individual seating islands. The canopy was created with the help of jute ropes, looped around pipes with specific angles such that the part canopy created a shadow for the rest of the terrace.
- Design Challenge
- the angles of the weaved canopy were such that the part canopy created a shadow for the rest of the terrace. While the craftsmen were tying the rope to the pipe it was easy to keep it straight at the narrow end but as the angle increased the length and weight of the rope increased so to keep it straight, they applied more pressure resulting in the pipe to bend. we realized this may damage the existing structure, so we let the rope be slightly loose. the sagging part created dramatic shape and shadows.
- Project Duration
- the project started on 13-09-2018
ended on 28-10-2018
approximate;y 45 days
location - Gandhinagar Ahmedabad Gujarat India - Operation Flow
- upon entering the terrace, one is welcomed by happy colours and the blueness of the sky, the entrance wall is adorned by a wall mural depicting the logo of the cafe which has now become a selfie zone. Jute rope, recycled wooden table tops and flooring add to the ambience and help with the acoustics. An enclosed space with ac has been incorporated as a refuge from the city s harsh weather. The secluded terrace lends an experiential quality retaining scale within this volume. This then leads you to a pink spiral staircase which guides you to the upper terrace, a smoking zone, and a private zone for special celebrations.
- Research
- constraints posed by time intensified the architects proclivity for earth-friendly materials and processes, inclusion of local labour and local craft, material palette is dominated by recycled materials - jute rope, gum, arabic wood, corrugated sheets and ms, aluminium and natural stone and eco-friendly paint, jute eco-friendly, sustainable, handled easily, cost effective, does not have thermal conductivity, can take any form and transform a space. watered jute keeps the surrounding cool, south west facade- recycled corrugated sheet used to protect from harsh sunlight.
- Inspiration
- strictures on time and budget directed the team to look at quick aesthetic solutions. with their inclination towards natural materials they explored and examined a close-to-nature palette which could be recycled, reused, cost effective, locally sourced and crafted and finalised upon jute rope a sustainable and eco-friendly material. designers chose the traditional Indian charpoy as the inspiration for developing space-modulating partitions and canopies that would define individual seating islands
- Image Credits
- #1 Photographix India, 2018
#2 Photographix India, 2018
#3 Photographix India, 2018
#4 Photographix India, 2018
#5 Photographix India, 2018
video credits tHE gRID Architects
Colors of Rope Terrace Cafe
Design Interview about Rope Terrace Cafe
•While the craftsmen were tying the rope to the pipe it was easy to keep the rope straight at the narrow end but as the angle increased the length and weight of the rope increased and to keep the rope straight they applied more pressure resulting in the pipe to bend. We realized This may damage the existing structure, so we let the rope be slightly loose. The sagging part of the rope created dramatic shape and shadows
Rope has been a tool used throughout time and the material has a purpose making an impressive statement. It has a beautiful texture and natural rope is made from natural fibers. These fibers are obtained from organic material (such as materials produced by plants).
Reemphasizing the need to go back to roots and source natural and earthy materials.
Reemphasizing the need to go back to roots and source natural and earthy materials.
The plan is to reach this design to as many as possible so that the people realize that a sustainable and economical project is possible easily, it’s a shared aspiration that we work for.
About 2 to 3 days and rest all decisions were taken onsite with the ongoing challenges and processes.
Exploring Rope as a material opened many avenues in our thinking and strengthened our design philosophy. With budget strictures there was a conscious endeavour to create an innovative, attractive and efficient space. Rope was our main material and design concept and weaving as a spatial partition defined the function for each space and experience. The adaptability of the material as a form allowing you to experiment with different sizes is a winner for the eco conscious
The client had left the design completely up to us.
The client had left the design completely up to us.
As the young clients were dependent on us it gave us the freedom to translate the idea and this followed our ideology too
The Rope materials used in the Indian Charpoy was our source of inspiration.
We would like to encourage the humankind that design by a designer can come out with exceptional results which are economical and sustainable and user friendly.
Rope can be used in its simplistic state to influence form and shape of a space and it symbolically inherits the interwoven spaces and light that creates new depth of fields, perspectives and sight lines. The processional influence simultaneously creates an interactive and changing quality of the space maintaining fluid motions of light and dynamism making this project an interesting intervention.
The humble material Jute Rope the focus materials itself gave the name to the design.
Autocad, sketchup
•The south-west facade features corrugated sheet as a protective layer from harsh sunlight.
•The flooring is recycled babool wood
•The angles of the woven canopy were decided such that the part canopy created a shadow for the rest of the terrace.
•Building by-laws precluded the possibility of any kind of permanent or semi-permanent structure so we could cover the terrace with semi-permanent structure only, so the Rope was an apt material keeping in mind the climate. If the rope was watered, it would make the surrounding cool and it also does not absorb and retain heat
•The flooring is recycled babool wood
•The angles of the woven canopy were decided such that the part canopy created a shadow for the rest of the terrace.
•Building by-laws precluded the possibility of any kind of permanent or semi-permanent structure so we could cover the terrace with semi-permanent structure only, so the Rope was an apt material keeping in mind the climate. If the rope was watered, it would make the surrounding cool and it also does not absorb and retain heat
As local materials were sourced so all local labour and craft was encouraged.
Local technology and common sense. To ensure that resources are judiciously used.
We started with the thought that be sensitive to the local culture and natural environment. Some of the research included studying the Sun path, Rope materials, sustainable materials with low carbon footprints and means and ways to construct environmentally conscious spaces.
•The flooring is recycled babool wood sourced from the forest department for very low cost. The wood was not directly screwed on the floors so as to not damage the waterproofing layer for the offices below. Instead, flooring modules with aluminium frames (aluminium as it does not rust) were laid such that water flows easily below it.
•Building by-laws precluded the possibility of any kind of permanent or semi-permanent structure so we could cover the terrace with semi-permanent structure only, so the Rope was an apt material keeping in mind the climate. If the rope was watered, it would make the surrounding cool and it also does not absorb and retain heat.
•While the craftsmen were tying the rope to the pipe it was easy to keep the rope straight at the narrow end but as the angle increased the length and weight of the rope increased and to keep the rope straight they applied more pressure resulting in the pipe to bend. We realized This may damage the existing structure, so we let the rope be slightly loose. The sagging part of the rope created dramatic shape and shadows.
•Building by-laws precluded the possibility of any kind of permanent or semi-permanent structure so we could cover the terrace with semi-permanent structure only, so the Rope was an apt material keeping in mind the climate. If the rope was watered, it would make the surrounding cool and it also does not absorb and retain heat.
•While the craftsmen were tying the rope to the pipe it was easy to keep the rope straight at the narrow end but as the angle increased the length and weight of the rope increased and to keep the rope straight they applied more pressure resulting in the pipe to bend. We realized This may damage the existing structure, so we let the rope be slightly loose. The sagging part of the rope created dramatic shape and shadows.
our project is simple and built with humble and sustainable materials and techniques, low maintenance, low carbon footprint. The purpose of the design was achieved as per client’s requirements and our philosophy. The project is close to nature and the design approach was honest
The project can be delivered at its best by having simple solutions, local and sustainable materials and local labour. Our approach and willingness need to be positive and we need to be persistent with our beliefs are our learnings.