Architecture Asia Magazine [June 2005]

WE

When the architect of this restaurant fell into a discussion that questioned his identity it gave him a feeling like he was nowhere. In an impetuous state, a sudden call from Hampshire presented him a challenge to face this reality and to explore a new identity for himself abroad. And so he stepped onto a journey to the west. 'WE' is the sign of a compass in the mind of this architect. The word `WE' is a combination of the first word of west and east.
The story behind the restaurant is - "an egg on its North-South axis, revolves around on an east-west direction oblivious to separation. How does the yellow yolk (or kusum- a bangla word or if used as a girl's name, means 'flower') inside it, part? Kusum- or the girl, grows up, and becomes a mother one day. Her touch of boundless affection makes music on kantha (a rural quilt) for the child of tomorrow. As time goes on the stitches grow and in the end, it all comes together to become WE". In all parts of the restaurant we can see the reflection of this story. The architect was given a rectangular space, with some obstructions on the outer surface and a very low ceiling to work with. At first he tried to solve the problem by making the space functional and giving it an abstract aesthetic. It did not work. He overcame the limitations and finally got it right; the restaurant now looks right. At the entry lobby
There is a waterfall at the left, which evokes a warm natural feeling. Working around the low ceiling, he gave the whole interiors a different look. the parallel walls are painted white on one side while a rural quilt - a hand written diary of the architect and fitted on Perspex - is on the other side. Text - both in Bangla and English - is written on the glass and the ceiling: there are different gestures of dance on the base of walls; detailed wood carvings on doors and walls give the restaurant an exceptionally beautiful Eastern look. To provide a contrast in materials, the Bar Counter has been designed as a lightweight structure.
The culinary arts of South-East Asia - unique in itself - has already won the hearts of the most demanding of gourmets. But as far as its design goes, the restaurant has been designed with only one intent which is that true togetherness will spread amongst all those who share the magical moments within the idea of WE