If the brief was this intense, the space where all this would be realised was an equally dramatic and challenging one. This 3,500-square-foot site in Nagpur was housed within a former kindergarten that had shut down during the pandemic; and bore the marks of neglect—worn walls, a fragile roof, broken doors and windows. “Time had taken its toll, but there was something undeniably compelling about it. The structure was an old load-bearing system, built with 9-inch-thick brick walls solid and grounded. The sloping roof, though fragile in parts, retained its original form and character, something we knew was worth preserving,” recollects Chaudhari. The garden (with some old trees), which once might have been full of life, was now barren. The entire site felt dull and forgotten.
Saurabh Madan
Demolition was never on the table. Instead, the design approach centered on restoration, respect, and careful revival. As the site is set within a green, slightly secluded pocket away from the city’s usual pace, the surroundings became a key collaborator in shaping the cafe. Further, the mature trees, shifting light, ambient sounds, and breezes informed how the spaces were opened up and arranged. The garden, once dry and lifeless, was reimagined as a layered, lived-in landscape. Instead of manicured planting, the team allowed greenery to reclaim the site organically, reinforcing the cafe’s unhurried, grounded atmosphere. This connection to nature aligns closely with Cafe Matra’s broader philosophy—slowing down, being present, and finding moments of ease within everyday routines.
Also read: This seafood restaurant is nestled within a 250-year-old home in Mangalore
Saurabh Madan