Creating Space & Community: The Classic Rita Café Wins India’s Best Design Project Award 2023

The Classic Rita Café is designed to provide locally grown, sustainable and organic food and indigenous snacks to the community. Designing a space with a low ceiling can often feel oppressive and negatively impact the mood of those using it. Classic Rita Café faced this challenge head-on by creating an innovative solution to make the space look and feel more spacious. By hanging 1,400 clay pots from the ceiling, crafted by local ladies, the café not only brightened the physical space but also uplifted the community’s outlook.

Drawing the Eye

In addition to the unique ceiling design, Classic Rita Café utilised glass surfaces to enhance the sense of visual lightness. These surfaces effectively demarcate areas without obstructing the passage of light, creating the illusion of taller, higher walls. The strategic use of furniture at basic heights further draws the eye away from the ceiling, contributing to a more open and inviting atmosphere.

The height of a ceiling profoundly affects how people think and feel within a space. By transforming the café into an energising environment, Classic Rita Café offers locals and guests opportunities to learn about healthy food options, serving as a hub that raises awareness and inspires students to adopt healthy, active, and social lifestyles.

A Vision of Sustainability and Nature

Classic Rita Café is committed to providing locally grown, sustainable, and organic food alongside indigenous snacks to the community. The café conveys a sense of being in a space that feels natural and connected to nature through its use of mud/clay pots and natural wood. The design features thatched roofing with a bamboo counter and earthy colours, creating an interior that incorporates raw and reused materials. The warm autumn colour scheme adds to the inviting atmosphere, making the café a welcoming space that reflects its values of sustainability and community support.

Credit: Huidrom Design Studio