Crafting Dramatic Spaces at BYG Brewski by Mathew and Ghosh Architects

The 2021 IDA Award-winning project, BYG Brewski is a brewery and pub in Hennur, Bangalore. It is designed by renowned architects Nisha Mathew and Soumitro Ghosh. The BYG team envisioned the beloved alcove of Bangalore youth as a new-age colosseum. Architects Ghosh and Mathew believe that buildings are more than their functions. They sat with the client and arrived at aspects to be achieved in the design to resemble the Colosseum; open planning, dramatic scale and a character of ruins. They have designed the BYG Brewski Brewery to spark reminiscence. The zones at different levels create an organic space for social interactions, resembling a town square.

The Planning 

The 65000 sq. ft space is rectangular in plan and has five experiential zones that accommodate the diverse preferences of youth. On the ground floor, The Grub sits between a large water body and the Silent Kitchen. Overlooking the Grub, Barbyric boasts of bar chairs in a vibrant celestial blue. It has a raw and rustic brick backdrop and is bustling with energy and conversation. 

The Chill Zone is the exact opposite of Barbyric. This shadowed zone becomes a quiet place for large groups. This zone has graffiti on the walls and leads to the nine-stepped Colosseum. The Colosseum can accommodate 25-30 people and has a screen for sporting events. The fifth zone is under construction. The Club is in the works as a VIP party zone. Spanning two floors, the Club is to have its own cocktail and food menu!

The highest point at BYG Brewski Brewery is named Syn. It offers excellent views of the sunsets and night skies. Two fire torches are illuminated every evening to add to the Nordic vibe. This zone provides a direct visual to the Pavillion- an ornate metal awning. All the zones at BYG Brewski are multi-functional and cater to the moods of the users. If the mood changes, one can simply move to another zone!

The Materials 

The purpose of selecting the materials was to create a sense of ruins. Materials like stone, boulders and old Mangalore tiles were reused from surrounding sites to bring together a space made of pieces of the recent past. Even the large waterbody houses reused water from rainwater harvesting. The cascading water drowns the noise and gives a sense of motion apart from the festivity of the food and drinks. 

In addition to a striking material palette, BYG Brewski features varied roofing systems. The Silent Kitchen has a jack-arched panel slab. This system consists of brick arches fitted between a steel beam frame. The Chill Zone has a deck sheet slab which enhances the sleek design of the space. The Gylt bar has an innovative wooden truss roof with seating on two levels. The various structural systems from brick arches to steel frames accurately capture and fit into Bengaluru’s unique cityscape. They reflect the city’s growth, cultural diversity and architectural heritage. It also gives cultural references while staying relevant to contemporary functionality. 

The Landscape

The landscape features at BYG Brewski act as a break from the monotony of social gatherings. The two water bodies are a 160ft river that empties itself in a gorge and the Koi pond near the Club. They hold

4.1 lakh and 1.4 lakh litres of water, respectively. Accent lighting is utilised to highlight spaces. Varied lighting intensities ensure a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. The shrubbery is illuminated from within. The trees have been highlighted by lights parallel to the stem so they sway along with the trees in the breeze. Acoustic treatment is crucial for open-air pubs where conversation is the key. Short-throw speakers are used to dissipate the sound before it can reach beyond the plot boundaries. 

The Drama

Drama in architecture is about spaces which invoke a certain kind of emotion in the users. It is about the use of design elements and spatial dynamics to create theatrical, exciting spaces. When dramatic designing meets hospitality architecture you get dynamic spaces like BYG Brewski. Architects Mathew and Ghosh have achieved a dramatic scale in the execution of BYG Brewski. The space tells the story of the materials curated from the surroundings while structural exploration signifies contemporary aesthetics. The juxtaposition of different materials and textures signifies the different personalities and moods of today’s youth. BYG Brewski has successfully embodied the vision set forth by the architects and the client. It’s become really popular as a pub in Bangalore that lots of people visit. People can enjoy lots of different kinds of tasty food from different countries, and there’s also a wide range of drinks to choose from. Moreover, the Silent Kitchen offers over 200 international and Indian dishes. Authentic food, flavourful ambience and Bangalore’s pleasant climate are what make the brewery stand out!

References:

1. Mathew, N. and Ghosh, S. (2018) M & G: Mathew and Ghosh Architects, M & G | Mathew and Ghosh Architects. Available at: http://www.mathewghosh.com/hospitality-byg-brewski.html (Accessed: 23 February 2024). 
2. Prabhu, R.D. (2018) Bangalore: India’s largest microbrewery, Byg Brewski, to offer 16 types of fresh craft beer in Bangalore, Architectural Digest India. Available at: https://www.architecturaldigest.in/content/bengaluru-largest-microbrewery-in-india-offering-16-types-of-fresh-craft-beer-in-bangalore/ (Accessed: 25 February 2024). 

 

1. Architects, M. and G. (2020) Byg Brewski Hennur Road Bangalore, a grand vision of recreating the COLOSSEU: The plan, Mathew and Ghosh Architects. Available at: https://www.theplan.it/award-2020-hospitality/byg-brewski-hennur-road-bangalore-a-grand-vision-of-recreating-the-colosseu-mathew-and-ghosh-architects (Accessed: 25 February 2024). 
2. Archidiaries (2022) Byg Brewski: Mathew and Ghosh Architects, ArchiDiaries. Available at: https://www.archidiaries.com/projects/byg-brewski-mathew-and-ghosh-architects/ (Accessed: 25 February 2024).