The Frozen Monkey restaurant and lounge at E-square Mall, Pune, channels multiple natural inspirations – ice formations inside caves, tree branches, and of course, lots of monkey-related imagery.
The restaurant justifies the name ‘Frozen Monkey’, incorporated as it is in its design. The areas have been disambiguated to static and active zones with respect to the activity. The static space includes the private dining areas, with less varying movements, while the active zone features the lounge and the bar.
The 4,000 sq. ft. site previously had an incomplete pinewood rafter ceiling, which was continued as part of the present ceiling design. “Wooden elements have been suspended at various intervals. The ‘frozen’ concept has been abstracted interestingly in the form of ‘stalactites and stalagmites’, as projected inside caves. The experience of these abstract cave-like features is appreciated at the entry in the bar area, and remotely in the private dining area,” explains the team.
The other dining areas of the restaurant are brightly-lit and casual. The design of pine rafters has been mimicked at the bar back, which also envelops the ceiling above, enclosing the whole space. An interesting feature on the bar counter has a faceted elevation depicting cracking ice. The illuminated wall in the dining area sports a back-lit tree art. “It is an artistic abstraction of the dwelling and play area of the new social monkeys residing among the lit branches of this beautiful tree,” reveals the team.
The restaurant and lounge had to be planned creatively and functionally, keeping in mind multiple uses of the space at different times of the day, as well as varied age groups ranging from youngsters to families to office crowds and mall walk-ins. Also, flexibility had to be maintained in case a portion of the area needs to be given out for small parties, while dining continues alongside. The bar area is expected to turn into buffet counters for Sunday brunches or events. Thus, the zoning and planning segregated the flexible areas and the fixed seating along the peripheries. Light wooden, latticed screens demarcate these areas. The ceiling features also create highlighter elements.
The colour palette selected for Frozen Monkey includes vibrant blues, yellows, and reds, giving the restaurant and bar a chic retro-and-pop look. The walls sport quirky coverings and funky graphics.
The lighting fixtures have been customised to imitate the various traits of monkeys and of ‘monkey business’, like bunches of bananas, banana peels, monkey tail, and more. “The restaurant is tech-savvy, like the clientele it attracts. A socially-active space has been created using everyday apps as a media to generate offers, and to enable interaction not just within individual groups but with the whole crowd,” states the team. Selfie booths have been specially designed and twitter messages get displayed on a large LED screen, showing the evolution of the ape into a high-tech social animal.
