A home remodelled as a restaurant? Kadali in Hyderabad is a new alfresco dining designed by Sona Reddy

Tucked away in the heart of Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad, Kadali is a traditional Telegu home that recently underwent a design facelift by Sona Reddy Studio, only to re-emerge as a grounded yet chic new restaurant in the old city of Pearls. “Bringing together the best of both worlds—old and new—this alfresco dining space, spanning […]

09 Nov 2024

Pooja Prabbhan Srijith

Tucked away in the heart of Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad, Kadali is a traditional Telegu home that recently underwent a design facelift by Sona Reddy Studio, only to re-emerge as a grounded yet chic new restaurant in the old city of Pearls. “Bringing together the best of both worlds—old and new—this alfresco dining space, spanning 7,500 sq ft is one that evokes the essence of a bygone era through adaptive reuse of an old residence,” avers Sona Reddy, founder and principal architect of her eponymous firm.

The palette of Kadali sees a generous usage of nostalgic, earthy tones like emerald green and blush accents with materials such as Kadappa stone and Indian green marble.

Natural light floods in through the entrance, showcasing a captivating sculpture from Ranganath, dhurrie from Home Nera and chair from Ek Design; Photography by Pankaj Anand

Dark-stained wood and metal tables topped with green marble by Dastakari, paired with upholstered wood chairs from Ek Design rank high in terms of comfort and style. The finishes, from the earthy tones of Mandana stone to the vibrant green marble, create a harmonious blend of materials that reflect Kadali’s rustic yet refined character; Photography by Pankaj Anand

A renewed homecoming

“The ground floor’s indoor dining space was designed to evoke a traditional Telugu house, using earthy materials like Athangudi tiles and a palette that references old-style homes,” shares Sona who worked alongside her team Sona Reddy, Jemy Joy, Anjali Miriyala, Shivani Ponnapa and Shravya Kokkonda. She further enthuses that much of the original house’s structural integrity was maintained. “The use of materials like Kadapa stone, green marble, and terracotta oxide reflects a rustic, grounded aesthetic, and proffers a sense of homecoming,” she adds.

Gimmers of the sun, shine onto the table from Dastakari paired with cosy chairs by Ek Design; Photography by Pankaj

Drawing inspiration from the banana plant’s symbolism of abundance and prosperity; the interiors of Kadali come bearing with an impressive array of adaptive design features and influences—lofty teak doors, Athangudi tiles, a stepwell-inspired waterbody constructed from Mandana stone, which is redolent of traditional baolis within its stratified form, adds to the rustic charm of the space.

Custom-designed by Sona Reddy Studio; the bar area is dominated by a monolithic Paloda pink marble counter with grooved ridges and charcoal veins. Other standout features the light from Purple Turtles, planter-embedded parapet walls lush with greenery, wooden wall units, and large glass sliding-folding doors open to stunning views of the treetops; Photography by Pankaj Anand

An intimate corner exudes timelessness and intricate details, lighting from Purple Turtles, comfortable seating by Ek Design; Photography by Pankaj Anand

Amidst nature

Ask the designer about her most favourite area of the space, and pat comes the response: “One of my favourite highlights in Kadali is the integration of the timeworn mango tree within the alfresco dining area, which beautifully blends natural elements with modern design,” and adds that the metal monkey sculptures lend a whimsical touch, enhancing the outdoor dining experience. “The stepwell-inspired waterbody and its traditional design elements also stand out, creating a strong sense of place and history.”

The private dining rooms at Kadali exude warmth, intimacy and elegance in equal measure owing to the presence of bespoke details, including an oxide finish by Muttulingham, light from Purple Turtles and durrie from Home Nera while large windows flood with natural light; Photography by Pankaj Anand

This al-fresco dining area—with a timeworn mango tree being the highlight at the centre—offers a cosy ambience, owing to myriad plusses like a canopy of lush trees, life-like metal monkey sculptures by Ranganath, tiered black Kadappa stone floors; Photography by Pankaj Anand.

Complexities, beautiful outcomes…

Heavily inspired by childhood memories and traditional Telugu houses; Kadali evokes a sense of warmth and familiarity within the hearts of local patrons, rooted in cultural nostalgia and sustainable practices. “The adaptive reuse approach focused on retaining the house’s structural integrity and integrating elements like the timeworn mango tree and existing spatial layout. This respect for the original architecture aims to create a layered, immersive experience for visitors,” Sona details.

A muted pastel palette from the dhurries by Home Nera displaying an array of creamy whites, peach pinks and mellow greens; Photography by Pankaj Anand

A product of meticulous workmanship by Filler Slab Company, the filler slab ceilings are a highlight of the space, featuring clay-lined spherical hollows by Ara Living Studio, intricately embossed with motifs of birds, foliage, and fruits; Photography by Pankaj Anand

Image caption: A 4-foot-wide custom signage incorporating parts of a banana plant evokes visual intrigue, while a subtle balance between tradition and modernity is achieved via a seamless blend of crisp, grey lines and vibrant emerald green and blush accents. Pink oxide wall finish by Muttulingam and paints by Shailender; Photography by Pankaj Anand.

Although the results were nothing short of stunning, the execution was a bumpy ride, as preserving the structural integrity of the old residence while adapting it for a new purpose presented a complex design challenge. However, some challenges only propel you to push the envelope a little harder every step along the way, and the end result makes it worthwhile. At least it does, in the case of Kadali— a heritage Telegu home turned restaurant that serves up a side of stellar views of treetops, besides good food and even better drinks.