Serene Wabi-sabi at Mumbai Restaurant Sequel
Redesigned by architect Ashiesh Shah, the restaurant aims to be a luxury farm-to-fork experience
In Mumbai’s creative hub of Bandra, along a bustling and buzzing street in Pali Hill, a tranquil and soothing restaurant has recently been redesigned by architect Ashiesh Shah. Indian handicrafts, organic food and a wabi-sabi aesthetic characterise Sequel, which offers farm-to-fork dining with a luxurious twist.
At the centre of the space is a white marble community table overlooking the open kitchen. Benches are made from hand-crafted raku-glazed ceramic tiles, and a window seat under a hand-carved alabaster pendant overlooks flowering frangipanis. Shah employed a monotone grey colour scheme throughout, inspired by Mumbai’s renowned monsoons. The architect intended Sequel’s design to counteract gloomy downpours, and the subtle space provides a perfect backdrop for the freshly handpicked produce to provide bright pops of colour.
Sequel is an invitingly tactile and textural space, with handmade textures throughout. Shah embraced an unfinished aesthetic inspired by the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi and incorporated carefully plastered walls, handwoven cane chairs, wooden finishes, tiles and Channapatna wooden beads. The facade is clad in Stonecrete, a pebbled effect achieved with a hand-pouring technique that skilled artisans worked through the night to complete.
‘Every feature in this space was custom designed, from the counters to the benches and even the planters. Through my atelier I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with artisans to create a shift in the perception of Indian handicrafts. Sequel displays custom design through handmade, handcrafted and hand-moulded textures, making every aspect unique, calculated and cohesive,’ Shah says.
Text / Babette Radclyffe-Thomas
Images / Amrita Diwanji
