The Brewbot Eatery & Pub Brewery in Mumbai is the outcome of a cleverly executed concept by The Busride Design Studio; it emanates a hearty, wholesome appeal with its industrial styled aesthetics.
The story of the design for Brewbot began with an inspiration and a fantasy. The inspiration came in the form of the microbrewery equipment, with its robotic and mechanoid character and the entire brewpub was visualised as a “mech installation”.
Designer Ayaz Basrai shares the fantasy which takes one into a “dystopian world after humans, where robots are nurturing the planet back to life, replanting the first few plants, saving the planet with beer.” This post-apocalyptic atmosphere sets the tone for the design and informs the palette of materials for the shell where the brewing equipments stand out as “beacons of hope.”
The shiny brew vats take centre stage in this expansive space split in two levels, which can accommodate a large crowd. The utilitarian, inside-out features like electric cables, air conditioning ducts and other service fixtures complement the microbrewery equipment with all their piped extensions. Ayaz states, “The idea was to create a fun, engaging direction that would synergise with the equipment, yet add a new dimension to the space.” This industrial styled, chic warehouse ambience creates the perfect setting for a home brewing experience.
The main entrance is well appointed with an outdoor seating area which overlooks the framed brewery indoors. The glass partition visually connects the two spaces and allows for the stainless steel brewing vessels to act as points of intrigue for the people sitting outside. The mix of robust built-in seats with wooden tables and classic café metal chairs with long tables is a perfect hangout space for larger groups. The smaller outdoor seating area extends inside to a more pronounced casual retro vibe.
As one enters the main area, the vibe is reinforced by the bold, eye catching graphics on the glass panes and the graffiti on the wall surfaces. The shell, made using “rough-hewn, aged and distressed materials” in the form of unfinished concrete walls, floors and the ceiling, in contrast to the exposed red brick accent walls creates a beautiful background for the brew vats. This area is articulated by well thought-out seating options.
The bar area with bar stool seating at one end gives one a chance to be up close to taste the extensive variety of the in-house classic brews. On the other end, a more formal table seating arrangement suits diners which is separated from the bar by an interesting stand-up table arrangement supported by bar stools.
There is a lot of attention to detail here, which is evident in the foot rest element made up of metal pipes attached to the free standing tables as well as the very rustic and robust set of raw industrial metal pipes which form the door handles. As one lingers around longer, the little add-ons to the decor which reflect the bygone-era, like the box television sets stacked behind the bar, the shiny metal casing inlay within the concrete floor and the tiny money plants become evident.
The bright yellow staircase works as a beacon indicating an active space above. The stairs are clad with perforated metal grating – again an industrial cast-off – which not only goes well with the ambience but also creates a sense of lightness and transparency. The upper level has its own set of brewing vats which allows the space to function independently. This space has been planned in a way to accommodate an array of functions. The smart design of this multi-faceted space allows the management to remodel it as per the call of the day.
It can transform from a typical beer pub to a space for intimate events or private parties. A raised platform along the exposed brick wall becomes a stage for live performances. There is also a provision made for a projector screen – a mini theatre for cosy screenings. The upper level also has a small outdoor extension in the form of a tiny balcony which overlooks the open to sky seating at the ground level.
The charm of the space is in the palette of materials which retain their true-to-form character and the little discreet details which just cannot go unnoticed. The simplicity and perspicuity of the design style lends the place ‘true to character’ uniqueness. Overall the place has a great ambience and the team at The Busride Design Studio has been able to truly achieve a stand out new age microbrewery in the form of Brewbot.
Text By Prachi Nikam Patel
Photographs By Kevin Nunes
Contact
email: thebusride@gmail.com
web: www.jointhebusride.com
