Culinary excellence is served in a India modern setting at this Hyderabad restaurant

Sona Reddy Studio combines contemporary elements and vernacular design techniques to craft a sustainable and modern design vocabulary for restaurant, Telugu Medium.

Curated by: Deepa Nair
Photographs: Pankaj Anand; courtesy Sona Reddy Studio

The brief

Telugu Medium, designed by Sona Reddy Studio, is a beautiful coming together of heritage and culinary excellence, and stands as a testament to architectural ingenuity. Located in Hyderabad’s leafy urban enclave of Jubilee Hills, this fine dining restaurant shares its zip code with numerous gastronomical joints, drawing patrons in large numbers to the coveted locality. Therefore, its co-founders Malvika Rao, Anil Karnati, and Rohit Medisetty wanted to build something unique — a fine dining spot summoning the older, simpler times through its ambience and culinary offerings.

The design intent

The design sustains the spirit of rusticity and contemporary design influences harmoniously in luxurious settings. Telugu Medium spins a narrative deeply rooted in indigenous materials and vernacular building techniques viz the brick-moulded ceilings, scaling concrete columns, pink lime plaster-washed walls, and textured tandoor flooring, creating an uninterrupted composition that speaks to the soul of the Deccan.

The design and material details

The façade of Telugu Medium is adorned with exposed Karimnagar bricks; while the projecting bricks introduce a tactile layer of texture. To add an element of intrigue and surprise, the design team introduced concrete planter boxes on the façade to mark the entrance of the restaurant. Entering through a vestibule wrapped in brick, guests are welcomed into a two level restaurant featuring 13-ft-high colossal walls and a double-height atrium suffused with natural light. This provides for a moment of pause to surrender and take in the immersive design vocabulary. The ceiling becomes a canvas of the crafted brick domes and vaults, interacting with silhouette lighting to create an ever-changing atmospheric ambiance.

The double-heighted atrium is infused with fluted glass for privacy and a play of light. The centrally located bar counter is characterized by locally sourced pink granite. On the other hand, a rectangular pond with black limestone tiles and an expansive concrete bench creates a tranquil focal point. The alfresco waiting space, entirely paved in brick, seamlessly connects the building to its surroundings. On the other hand, the northern edge hosts outdoor seating under sprawling canopies, creating an interplay with curved brick fins and inset portals framing views of the exterior. The furniture within is a blend of timeless, simple, and evocative pieces that offer a modern interpretation of South Indian dining.

The highlights

The massive brick domes, vaults, and exposed, load-bearing walls — which minimizes the use of concrete and steel — creates a passively cooler interior environment tailored for Hyderabad’s arid climate.