Elemental - Theater & Banquet at Rustomjee Elements

Brief: To design a unique, exceptional, Theater and Banquet for Rustomjee Elements Residential Apartments.

To cater to the needs of the elite residents of the apartment complex, ABM set out to create a minimal yet notable design that also delivers functionality. The theater and banquet are located on the podium level and connected internally by the common core as well as an outdoor courtyard.

Location: Mumbai, India

Completed: 2022

Total Area Designed: 10,000 sq. ft.

Design Team: Sachin Chavan, Rita Khare, Nikita Parwekar, Shahid Shaikh, Pradnya Kadam

Photography: Talib Chitalwala

Each area has its own entrance lobby, which has a subtle old-world charm, which complements the overall contemporary design theme. The theater lobby is designed with coloured concrete texture on the longitudinal wall, with mirror paneling to reflect light. The glass façade wall is adorned with frames of film icons which can be viewed from the outside as well as the inside. The space is equipped with a serving counter and storage. Across the courtyard the banquet lobby mirrors the theatre lobby’s colour palette and finishes, however the space has minimal seating. Both lobbies are tied together with the same chandelier.

The interior corridors have a marble floor with metal inlays, a tall marble skirting and the walls are paneled with veneer. The main banquet doors are veneer and metal pattis with a metal portal frame creating the grandeur that is expected for a banquet entrance. A long, customized sleek light illuminates this space. The bathrooms are located off the corridors and designed with a black and white marble look-alike tiles.

The banquet has three distinct areas: the bar, the buffet and dining space, and the central gathering space. Large acoustically treated sliding panels are used to divide these spaces.
The bar counter is custom designed with a concrete and glass and empty green bottles forming the front face of the counter. The bar counter is separated from the entry door with a unique partition with colourful jars fitted in metal framework. The graphics are quirky; chalkboard-like sketches hang behind the bar.

Wooden, mirror and wallpaper panels connect the space starting from one end at the bar all the way to the buffet counter. This paneling is designed to be acoustic.

Rather than fighting the shape of the odd, trapezoidal floor plan, we decided to embrace it. The ceiling profile also follows the plan shape and channels in the ceiling allow for services to be planned systematically. The façade of the entire space is glass and sunlight filters into the space through the day.

On the other hand, the theater space is designed to be dark and cozy. The lighting is dim and comfortable grey recliners are provided. The entire room is treated with acoustic paneling as well as the ceiling which has a cavity space to isolate sound. Parallel walls are not recommended if one wants better acoustics hence the panels on the peripheral walls are undulated.

Materials, products and manufacturers:
Wall finishes: Shivam Interiors
Flooring: Tiles from Lioli, Terrazzo Flooring by Bharat Floorings, Marble supplied by client
Loose Furniture: Shearling, Customized
Banquet Sliding Doors : Zilio Arctech
Architectural Lights : Hybec
Decorative Lights: Triveni Lights, The Kaleido Store
Curtains: Designer’s Choice
Upholstery: ARC One
Artwork &abmp; Graphics: Executed by Artt Interior