Shiro, Bangalore

This was the second of these Pan Asian restaurants that we designed in India, after the success of Shiro In Mumbai.

An unassuming antique acid finished metal door leads you into the space. At a monumental height of 50 ft. is a vast ceiling of carefully proportioned bamboo blocks staggered at varying heights. The bamboo is washed with gentle glows of light creating an exciting and complex Interplay of textures.

The piece-de-resistance in the Bangalore space is a monumental 25ft high head of a Balinese consort, adorned with rows of golden teardrops hanging from her neck. The larger than life imposing head, centered within the dining area has a soothing aura that emanates to the rest of the space, flanked on either side by two full figured Balinese consorts dropping water via earthen vessels into a channel of water filled with pebbles, lotuses and water plants.

The space is enveloped entirely by a rustic monochromatic yellow ochre state stone cladding, the walls occasionally merging into antique friezes, and punctured by randomly composed niches, housing Buddha heads in different shapes and sizes. The rusticity of the shell is contrasted by layers of jewel like translucent teardrop screens hanging from the ceiling, rich furnishings replete in velvet, silk, printed chenille and patent leather, and lofty curtains in a deep garnet velvet. There is an eclectic mix in the choice of furniture and accessories as one would find in a tastefully decorated pan Asian castle.

In the outdoor tropical courtyard a central sculptural frangipani tree takes centre stage and is surrounded by restaurant seating. On either side of the courtyard are tensile fabric canopies with outdoor lounge seating – one houses a long bar counter and the other a live teppenyaki grill.