In Surat, Studio Dot Dimension’s Odd3 transforms minimalism into emotion—a 1,200 sq ft coffee lounge where curves, tactility, and light choreograph connection and calm.
Curated by: Rupali Sebastian
Photographs: Avesh Gaur; courtesy Studio Dot Dimension
The project
Odd3 is a 1,200 sq ft coffee lounge in Surat where design becomes a living poem—each material and curve chosen to evoke presence, solace, and connection. The space is conceived not as a backdrop for conversation but as an active participant in it, where architecture and emotion intertwine in quiet choreography.
The site
Located within a dense urban precinct, the site offered a neutral shell—an opportunity to craft a sensory environment that contrasts the city’s bustle. Large windows admit daylight that interacts softly with fabric luminaires and muted surfaces, setting the tone for a space of warmth and reflection.
The brief
The brief was to create a calm, inclusive coffee lounge that offers both intimacy and openness. Functionally, the space had to accommodate varied seating arrangements and comfortable circulation, while emotionally, it had to nurture stillness and ease.
The design intent
Helmed by principal designers Ar. Sharmen Mehta and Ar. Heet Saliya of Studio Dot Dimension, the design translates the flow of poetry into built form. “We imagined Odd3 as an experience, not just a space—a place where architecture listens as much as it speaks,” says Mehta. Fluidity drives the narrative: serpentine benches and winding tables guide visitors through the lounge like a river tracing its course, blurring the boundaries between solitude and togetherness. Each curve forms its nook—an alcove for quiet reflection or an intimate conversation—while maintaining visual continuity.
The spatial flow
The seating sweeps through the lounge in a continuous ribbon, forming organic bends that cradle conversation zones without partitions. Circular stools and tables nestle alongside the curves, creating a landscape of varied interaction. The layout balances openness with intimacy, ensuring patrons can share space without intrusion.
The material palette
Muted neutrals form the base—taupe and grey walls, gently textured brick flooring, and matte black furnishings. Every surface invites touch: upholstered benches offer softness; brick flooring provides grounding; wooden tables lend warmth. Metal accents appear only as slim details—a chair leg, a table edge—adding definition without disrupting calm.
Above, sculpted fabric luminaires float like drifting clouds. By day, their gauzy folds diffuse daylight; by night, they cast a honeyed glow, enveloping the space in warmth while also serving as acoustic dampeners. The overall effect is multisensory: light, sound, and texture coalesce to create a restorative ambience.
The challenges
Balancing openness with privacy and translating fluidity into furniture fabrication required precision. The continuous seating had to maintain ergonomic comfort while following complex curves, and material junctions were resolved through careful detailing.
The highlights
The sculptural benches, curvilinear tables, and suspended fabric canopies define the space’s visual rhythm. The use of restrained tones and tactile materials ensures every detail—brick, wood, fabric—serves both function and feeling. Artwork by Priyanka Thaker adds another layer of softness, deepening the dialogue between design and art.
The takeaway
For Studio Dot Dimension, Odd3 is a meditation on connection. By blurring boundaries between architecture, art, and emotion, the lounge transforms simplicity into experience—a canvas where movement, material, and mindfulness meet over a cup of coffee.
Fact file
Project: Odd3 – Coffee Lounge
Location: Surat, Gujarat
Area: 1,200 sq ft
Design firm: Studio Dot Dimension
Principal designers: Sharmen Mehta and Heet Saliya
Artwork: Priyanka Thaker
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