Zura Restaurant and Bar by Studiio Dangg: A Transformative Dining Experience in New Delhi

Zura Restaurant and Bar, designed by Studiio Dangg, stands as a modern architectural marvel in the heart of New Delhi. Rising above its quaint surroundings, Zura offers a multi-sensory dining experience that draws visitors into a mesmerizing interplay of form, color, and materiality. Spread across three levels, the restaurant seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor spaces, creating a dynamic environment for both casual and fine dining.

Spatial Layout: Three Levels of Immersive Design

The restaurant’s layout is thoughtfully curated:

• Ground Floor: Dedicated to back-end services, ensuring smooth operational flow.
• Second Floor: The main indoor dining and bar area, designed for intimate gatherings and social interactions.
• Top Floor Terrace: An open-air terrace overlooking the lush Deer Park, perfect for al fresco dining with panoramic views of greenery.

Originally, the first and second floors were visually connected through a vertical cutout. Studiio Dangg opted to seal this gap, maximizing usable indoor space while preserving the sense of openness. The indoor area is perceptibly divided into two distinct zones, highlighting the duality of form and play of materials throughout the design.

Material Palette and Design Language

The core design language of Zura revolves around a harmonious contrast between navy blue mosaic and natural travertine stone.

• Navy Mosaic: Flowing across floors, walls, and ceilings in curved forms, creating a fluid, immersive experience reminiscent of celestial movements.
• Travertine: Applied to floors and CNC-cut 3D tiles on walls and ceilings, providing a defined, structured counterpoint to the fluid mosaic surfaces.

This material juxtaposition is inspired by cosmic phenomena, the collision of a supernova and black hole, evoking both light and dark, motion and stillness. The serpentine bar, crafted in navy mosaic, serves as a monolithic centerpiece, while the travertine side hosts dining areas and staircases leading to the terrace.

Experiential Design: Minimalism Meets Abstract Art

Studiio Dangg aimed to create a space that transcends conventional design:

• Abstract Minimalism: The design removes literal interpretations, inviting guests to explore the unexpected interplay of forms.
• Dynamic Perception: Upon exiting the lift, visitors are met with a bright palette that initially deceives the eye, revealing the layered complexity of the interiors as they move through the space.
• Contrasting Elements: The duality of curved navy mosaic and rigid travertine embodies Night & Day, Vaulted & Defined, enhancing the sensory experience of dining.

Terrace and Outdoor Dining: A Play of Light and Proportion

The top-floor terrace extends the concept of duality into the open air:

• Travertine and White Marble Flooring: Laid in concentric patterns that echo the parametric design of the roof.
• Serpentine Roof: Created from a series of varying sections, this parametric structure casts constantly shifting shadows, making the space consistently playful with natural light.
• Outdoor Bar and Private Dining: Textural 3D tiles and navy fabric ceilings with softly-lit chandeliers elevate both visual and tactile experiences. Wooden battens on the 13-foot shared wall play with sunlight and uplighting, adding dynamic shadow patterns throughout the day and night.

 An Immersive Dining Destination

Zura Restaurant and Bar exemplifies how innovative architecture can transform a compact urban site into a visually striking and experientially rich environment. By blending materials, manipulating scale, and challenging conventional design language, Studiio Dangg has created a restaurant that is both abstract and welcoming, offering a memorable dining experience for visitors in New Delhi.

All photographs are works of Avesh Gaur