Modern Craft

The Lucky Chan designed by MAIA Design Studio in Bengaluru is an endeavour to use local materials and traditional craft in a contemporary context.

Curated by: Deepa Nair
Photographs: Gokul Rao Kadam, courtesy MAIA Design Studio

The highlight of Lucky Chan is the beautiful Channapatna installation which feature on the ceiling. The inverted beams cutting this dining space on all sides are clad with mirrors — this reflects the installation on the ceiling, creating an illusion of extension to infinity.

The site

Lucky Chan, the dim sum and sushi parlour, is located at Indiranagar in Bengaluru. It is placed on the ground floor of a two storey building which was originally designed to be a home. The 1,600 sq ft (approximately) layout of the space is fragmented and the ceiling heights are very low.

In another dining set-up patterned mosaic tiles in reds, greens and yellows pop out against the subtle textural quality of stone and wood.

The design intent

MAIA Design Studio wanted to use local materials and traditional Indian craft techniques in a modern relevant context. A 250 module wooden installation was created in collaboration with local artisans in the nearby township of Channapatna. Specialising in hand-lathe woodwork and natural lacquering for over two centuries, this art form is 100 per cent eco-friendly and handmade. The lacquers are natural, and the colours derived from natural sources: red (manjista root), yellow (turmeric and tesu flower), green (indigo dyes) and brown (walnut bark). Each module is hand-turned and the forms deliberately kept modern in order to fit the context. The modules are fixed 450mm apart from one another in a grid format.

Bespoke raw silk lamps made in Pondicherry hover over a large community table seating.

The design and material details

At Lucky Chan large inverted beams cutting the space on all sides are clad with mirrors — this reflects the installation on the ceiling, creating an illusion of extension to infinity. The visual effect makes the large 900mm beams disappear, thus opening up the space and making it lighter. Locally mined light grey Sadharalli granite, and light birch wood panelling, are used extensively on the walls and floors to create a subtle neutral backdrop. Intricate layering of the Sadharalli creates a subtle sophisticated texture. Patterned mosaic tiles in reds, greens and yellows pop out against the subtle textural quality of the stone and wood. Pastel pinks and greens are used to tie the palette together and add the edge that was needed to make this a trendy fast casual space. Raw silk lamps were custom made in Pondicherry. The chairs are hand-woven with coir, another traditional craft, usually used in making charpoys.

Fact File

Project: Lucky Chan
Location: Indiranagar, Bengaluru
Area: 1,600 sq ft
Principal designer: Shruti Jaipuria
Design team: Roshni Ramnane and Rahul Chugh
Artist collaboration: Atul Johri