Colombo Fort Café which transports you to another era of restored Dutch colonial splendor offers a heady mix of the old world charm set in contemporary elegance, with its warm inviting ambiance, reminiscent of quintessential bistro dining. This week on Home Hints we spoke to Charted Architect Sadev Wittachy, the brainchild behind the warm and snug interiors of Colombo Fort Café.

Q: How did you infuse a sense of individuality to the restaurant while retaining the old world charm of the Dutch hospital complex?

We did not want to loose the strong character of the interior space by tampering too much and over designing. So we enhanced the atmosphere with a warm colour scheme and a few integral additions.

Q: Tell us about the colour scheme you chose and how it helped to create a sense of warmth to the atmosphere?

We used a special paint effect of yellow ochre on the walls together with the exposed brickwork of the bar counter and the existing old terracotta floor enhancing the aged look of the space.  Turquoise colour was used on loose furniture to add cheer and liveliness to the otherwise  warm earthy colour scheme.

Q: Was it difficult in conceptualizing the interior when you had to work with such a limited space?

I used the limited space to my advantage; so within the restaurant there were no hidden service areas, the kitchen is behind the bar counter open to customers. A mezzanine level was created for the practical need of accomodating the air handling unit which would have otherwise taken up valuable space on the ground. This with its timber lattice screen has become a quinteessential part of the restaurant’s look. All the mechenical services are exposed. By introducing a mirror within an existing arched recess a spatial illusion is created extending the main space visually.

Q: What about the lighting for the restaurant, how did that work out for space such as this?

A light bar was designed off with task lights illuminate the bar counter top. Spotlights mounted on the main roof trusses provide general lighting and a strip of LED lighting washes the rustic brick bar counter base. Custom designed copper lanterns together with candles lit at night help create an intimate and warm ambiamce.

Interviewed by Shabnam Farook
Pics by Kithsiri de Mel