In Raipur, the renovation of Ten Downing Street helmed by Studio Skywell revisits a beloved pub’s legacy, refreshing its spatial identity while preserving the nostalgia that has defined it for over a decade
Curated by: Rupali Sebastian
Photographs: Ashutosh Agrawal; courtesy Studio Skywell
The project
Ten Downing Street is the renovation of one of Raipur’s most recognisable pubs, a space that has been part of the city’s social fabric since 2008. Designed by Studio Skywell, the 3,000 sq ft project reimagines the pub’s legacy-era interiors through a contemporary lens, responding to changing social culture while retaining the emotional resonance that long-time patrons associate with the space. The intervention is less about reinvention and more about careful evolution, allowing memory and modernity to coexist.
The site
The project involved redesigning an operational pub that had already established a strong visual identity. Earlier interiors leaned heavily into classic British pub cues, with dark green walls, oak wood finishes and vintage-style furniture. Rather than erasing this language entirely, the design process began by identifying which elements carried cultural and emotional value, and which needed reworking to support present-day use.
The brief
The brief called for a refreshed, premium and lively environment that could speak to a younger generation without alienating loyal patrons. Alongside aesthetic renewal, the clients sought improved functionality, particularly a more prominent dance floor and flexible seating arrangements that could support varied group sizes, gigs and high-energy evenings. The space needed to feel celebratory and dynamic, while continuing to reflect the brand equity of Ten Downing Street.
The design intent
The intent was to reinterpret the classic British pub ethos through a contemporary framework, allowing past and present to sit comfortably together. The designers approached the project as a balancing act between nostalgia and renewal, ensuring the spirit of Ten Downing Street remained intact even as its identity became bolder and more future-facing. Reflecting on this approach, principal architects Twinkle Nathani, Mayank Wadhwa and Dhairya Wadhwa note, “The challenge was to retain the familiarity that long-time patrons associate with Ten Downing Street, while introducing a refreshed energy that responds to how people socialise today.”
The civil intervention
Significant spatial reconfiguration was undertaken to improve movement and visibility within the pub. The dance floor was relocated to the centre of the plan, establishing it as the energetic core of the space, while group seating pods were consolidated along one side to create clearer circulation. All service systems, including air-conditioning, acoustics and fire-safety infrastructure, were retained in their original positions, requiring careful detailing and coordination to work around fixed constraints without compromising the design intent.
The spatial flow
The pub now unfolds as a sequence of zones that cater to different moods and intensities. A step-up lounge area near the entry offers a quieter, living-room-like setting with sofa seating and a fireplace, referencing old-world hospitality. This transitions into the central bar and dance zone, which forms the heart of the space and reflects the evolving nature of Raipur’s nightlife. Along one edge, group seating pods inspired by vintage bars provide intimate pockets for private gatherings, allowing patrons to choose how they engage with the space across the evening.
The material palette
A dramatic shift in colour defines the refreshed palette. The earlier green and oak tones have been replaced with a deep crimson, lending the interiors renewed energy while retaining a sense of heritage. Metallic finishes add a layer of sophistication, catching light and movement as the space comes alive at night. A key aspect of the material approach was the upcycling of existing furniture—pieces that had been part of Ten Downing Street since its early years. These were reimagined with new fabrics, finishes and detailing, preserving tangible fragments of the past while allowing them to continue their story in a renewed setting.
The challenges
The primary challenge lay in reorganising the spatial layout without altering the extensive existing service infrastructure. Fixed AC lines, speaker placements and fire-safety systems demanded inventive detailing and precise planning to ensure the new layout felt seamless rather than constrained.
The highlights
The transformation from green to crimson gives the pub a stronger, more distinctive identity. The upcycled furniture stands out as a meaningful bridge between history and renewal, carrying forward memories embedded in use. The reimagined central dance floor enhances flexibility, allowing the space to adapt effortlessly to music-led nights, gigs and movement-driven events.
The takeaway
The renovation reaffirmed that redesign is as much about honouring memory as it is about shaping the future. By preserving elements with emotional weight and layering them with new intent, Ten Downing Street demonstrates how legacy spaces can evolve without losing their soul.
Fact file
Project: Ten Downing Street
Design firm: Studio Skywell
Location: Raipur, Chhattisgarh
Area: 3,000 sq ft
Principal architects: Twinkle Nathani, Mayank Wadhwa, Dhairya Wadhwa
Design team: Ansuiya Baldewa
Styling: Kripa Parmar (Dog’s Tail Exp)
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