A pitstop at Booyah

As most two-tier cities, the city of Kochi is a land of possibilities to innovate and reinvent. While rich in diverse historical sites — tourist favourites — comfortable community spaces for the residents to unwind and relax were few and far between. Priya Rose and Rahul Mathew, co-founders at Workers of Art came to the rescue with the city’s newest restobar Booyah.

This 2,300 sq ft space is a rebirth of an existing bar that shut down in the year 2014. The space is deeply rooted in creating an inclusive and inviting atmosphere for the guests. Transcending from a focus on aesthetics, the design for the space aims to venture into social transformation. 

Sense of belonging

Challenging the recreational norms, Booyah is brought to life owing to the need for a warm and welcoming space that is playful and relevant to Kerala’s evolving social culture. Crafting a strong narrative through spatial branding, the space features shapes such as circles and arches subtly, evoking a sense of familiarity and comfort.

A striking feature of the space is its play with artificial lighting and gradation of colours. Transitioning from orange to pink to blue, the space evokes a sense of an eternal sunset – a theme that percolates through the design. The tinted glass panes in the same palette flood the space with dynamic, ever-changing hues and reinforce the overall design concept of a perpetual, relaxing evening.

Journey to the future 

Setting the tone for the spatial branding, you are greeted by a 100 kg light screen entrance door, crafted by stitching metal plates together. Making a statement, it represents the ethos of the brand – bold, grounded and ready to surprise. Stepping inside, the design provides an ergonomic yet intimate space for groups of 4-6 people within the angular seating booth. 

Focal point of the space, the bar counter features composition metal plates stitched together. Delicately filtering out through the screen-like counter, the space fills up with dynamic lighting, transforming the space as the day progresses. Moving forward, the space offers a more casual setup with high tables, adjacent to the dance floor. The ceiling light installation above the dance floor features the spatial branding, creating a vibrant atmosphere. 

Focus on local

Catering to the tropical climatic conditions, locally sourced wood and metal on the material palette extend durability and their ability to age gracefully. The seating booths are made in ferrocement, as the material is lightweight, highly adaptable, and well-suited for the climate – offering precise angles and flexibility. The raw yet refined finish of the cement adds a textural contrast to the overall warmth of the lighting inside the space.

At Booyah, the experience transcends from aesthetic to immersive, revolutionising the community interactions. With tools such as spatial branding, considerate design elements, and a dynamic palette, the restobar offers an inclusive environment redefining the nightlife for the city’s younger generation.

Now read: Inside a glasshouse: Lord Elgin, the new cocktail bar is redefining Amritsar on the culinary map