Commercial Architecture and Interior Design: Glen's Bakehouse
We integrated this cafe seating into the existing landscape, preserving mature trees to create a light-filled, nature-centric commercial pavilion.
The entrance to the Bake House, framed by a traditional archway. The view reveals a glass-and-wood pavilion built carefully around existing trees, immediately establishing the project's nature-centric theme.
The ornate front gate of the Bake House, offering a glimpse of the tropical, garden-like cafe within. The design creates a sense of discovery and an escape from the city.
The main dining hall features a high, pitched roof and glass walls, creating a light-filled, greenhouse-like atmosphere. The wooden structure and large windows frame views of the surrounding trees.
A small, intimate seating area looks out into the main courtyard. The use of extensive glazing dissolves the boundary between the indoor and outdoor dining spaces.
The outdoor seating area is designed to fit between the trunks of mature trees. The checkered floor and simple furniture create a classic European cafe feel, transported into a tropical Bangalore garden.
A close-up of the outdoor seating, where a custom mural provides a whimsical backdrop. The existing tree trunks become an integral part of the spatial experience.
A view through the foliage into the outdoor dining courtyard. The design prioritizes the preservation of trees, which become natural columns and canopies for the space.
The exterior of the glass pavilion, seen through the branches of a large tree. This view shows the delicate balance between the built structure and the powerful presence of nature.
Another perspective of the entrance, highlighting the steps that lead up to the raised glass pavilion. The level change adds to the sense of journey and arrival.
A duplicate of the front gate image, reinforcing the branding and entrance experience.
About Bake House: A Cafe Built Around Nature
Designing for commercial hospitality requires balancing high-traffic user flow with structural preservation. In this project, we integrated seating zones around mature trees while maintaining clear sightlines for both staff and patrons, ensuring the glass house structure remains fully functional without compromising the existing natural landscape.
Architectural Approach
The design strategy for Glen's Bakehouse focused on a symbiotic relationship between the built structure and the existing site. We conceptualized the project as a glass pavilion that minimizes impact on the environment while maximizing the connection to the outdoors.
Structural and Spatial Logic
The kitchen and service zones are aligned along the existing building block, creating a clear separation from the public seating areas. We utilized a lightweight steel structure and extensive glazing to allow visual permeability, ensuring the trees outside serve as the primary visual interest. An industrial style staircase leads to a mezzanine level, providing an elevated vantage point that maintains the scale of the cafe without overwhelming the garden setting.
Materiality and Climate Control
We opted for a material palette that complements the natural surroundings. Exposed structures and pitched roofs create a classic, pavilion aesthetic, while the transparency of the glass walls allows for natural light penetration throughout the day. This reduces the need for artificial lighting and fosters an environment that feels light, airy, and constantly in dialogue with the landscape.
Project Context
- Location: Bengaluru
- Focus: Commercial Interior Architecture
- Key Techniques: Site sensitive planning, climate responsive orientation, adaptive reuse of site elements
ma+rs
We are ma+rs, an architecture and interior design studio based in Bangalore. Our design philosophy centers on context sensitive architecture, creating spaces that foster a dialogue between built environments and natural surroundings.
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