Brickhaus: Taps n Brews, designed by Salankar Pashine & Associates in Nagpur was envisioned as a refined space—an embodiment of quiet luxury where every detail speaks softly, yet leaves a lasting impression.
Brickhaus: Taps n Brews has been designed by Salankar Pashine & Associates, a premier Nagpur-based firm spearheaded by the architect-couple Anurag and Pallavi Pashine. The restaurants design narrative finds its soul in a deliberate departure from the predictable, cookie-cutter modernism that often dominates urban cafe culture. It is inspired by the chaotic beauty and time-worn character of Old Delhi’s historic quarters, seeking to capture the nostalgia of winding alleys and the warmth of a city that feels “lived-in.” This historical muse was then synthesised with the local contemporary pulse of Nagpur, ensuring the space feels rooted in its specific backyard rather than being an imported trend. It is a nostalgic reaction that prioritises authentic placemaking through a heritage-forward lens.
Sharing about the concept behind the design of the restaurant, Anurag says, “The design logic is driven by refined fusion and strategic bifurcation, a technical blueprint used to organize the 2,800 sq. ft. footprint. This framework prioritizes material layering to bridge the gap between memory and performance, specifically using the ruggedness of existing brick as a base and softening it with high-performance architectural interventions. The concept dictates the functional split of the floor plan, a transition from calm to energy, where the layout moves from an intellectual outdoor retreat to a high-intensity indoor social core. It is the game plan that ensures the aesthetic serves a functional purpose.”
Pallavi further adds, “In contrast to the sterile modernism that dominates urban cafe culture, the project adopts a contemporary industrial-vernacular aesthetic. This visual identity is anchored by a rhythmic backdrop of exposed brick, which bridges the gap between ancient heritage and industrial chic. This ruggedness is systematically punctuated by high-gloss blue accents found in the upholstery and ceiling perimeters, creating a vibrant, cool counterpoint to the earthy base tones.”
Handcrafted raffia and woven pendant lanterns introduce a raw, organic texture, ensuring the luxury feels grounded in regional craftsmanship. By prioritising these honest materials over carbon-intensive imported stones, the aesthetic successfully redefines premium hospitality through intentionality and local resonance. The restaurant is choreographed as a sequence of distinct environments, beginning with the outdoor library and seating area. This transitional zone is curated for intellectual cosiness, featuring a vibrant blue grid-style bookshelf that serves as an academic anchor against the building’s original rugged brick facade. By utilising rustic cobblestone-style flooring and light, airy furniture, the area maintains a breathable, plaza-like atmosphere that buffers the city’s pace before guests transition into the more intense social environments within.
The indoor social lounge of Brickhaus marks a significant energy shift, acting as the high-intensity heart of the restaurant. The layout is designed to encourage inclusivity through a strategic mix of seating typologies, including long communal high tables for social interaction and intimate, upholstered booths for private conversation. This core is visually anchored by a prominent bar, which features a hand-drawn ‘Beer and Brews’ narrative painting that adds a layer of artisanal storytelling to the space. Overarching this social core is the acoustic wave ceiling, composed of fluid fabric swags that mimic rhythmic movement while concealing high-performance sound-dampening panels. nurag explains. “The aesthetic identity is defined by a curated interplay of earthy tones, deep blues, and creamy beiges, breaking from overly polished modernism toward a palette with depth. Exposed brick dominates the vertical surfaces to provide a textured, rhythmic backdrop, while high-gloss blue accents in the upholstery and ceiling perimeters offer a vibrant, cool counterpoint. The lighting scheme is atmospheric rather than utilitarian, designed to mimic the mystery of winding city alleys.” Pallavi continues, “Oversized, woven pendant lanterns hang like glowing orbs within the ceiling, casting a soft, diffused light reminiscent of a bustling evening street corner. This ambient glow is sharpened by professional-grade spot lighting that highlights key architectural features and the glow reflecting off the blue-framed display cases.”
Prioritizing honest and sustainable finishes, the material selection reinterprets luxury through regional relevance and intentionality. Exposed brick cladding serves as the primary material, bridging the gap between ancient heritage and industrial chic. This ruggedness is softened by the introduction of handcrafted raffia over the bar, adding a raw, vernacular texture to the space. The most significant material intervention is found in the ceiling’s fluid fabric swags, which utilise integrated acoustic panels to balance dramatic aesthetics with highperformance sound dampening. By opting for durable finishes like brick, fabric, and rustic cobblestone flooring over carbon-intensive imported stones, the project achieves a premium hospitality feel that remains environmentally responsible and rooted in its local context.
“The design’s true innovation lies in its environmental versatility, achieved through the manipulation of perceived density. While the physical walls are static, the atmosphere is designed to be elastic; the use of semipermeable partitions and varied seating heights allows the 2,800 sq.ft. footprint to feel bustling with only ten people, yet never overcrowded with a hundred. This is a result of strategic sightlines from any point in the restaurant; a guest’s view is intentionally broken by a discovery element, whether it’s the grid-style library, a texture change from brick to raffia, or the dip of a fabric wave. This prevents the gymnasium effect common in large industrial shells and instead creates a sense of territorial privacy. By designing for the subconscious need for both shelter and prospect, the space becomes a high-functioning social ecosystem that adapts to the human psyche throughout the day”, concludes Anurag.
