Sushi with a Side of Craft at Lucky Chan

Harajuku-inspired pastels and Indian craft meet in new Bengaluru dim sum and sushi spot Lucky Chan, which comes complete with a handcrafted wooden ceiling installation and the city’s first sushi belt. Shruti Jaipuria of local firm MAIA Design Studio shares more about the project

Design Anthology: How did you first meet the client? 

Shruti Jaipuria: The client is a well-known restaurateur in Bengaluru, and he invited us to work on his new concept based on our portfolio of F&B projects. 

What was his brief to you for the project? 

Lucky Chan was to be a youthful, trendy and casual Asian restaurant, and it was also going to have the city’s first-ever first sushi conveyor belt. 

Can you tell us about the space and its location? 

The restaurant is on the ground floor of what was originally a two-storey home. The neighbourhood was a residential area, but most of the houses have been taken over and leased out to commercial establishments. The neighbourhood is now one of the city’s fastest growing and hippest areas.

How did you approach the project — what design references or narrative did you try to incorporate into the space?

Across all our work, we always try to use craft techniques in a modern, contemporary context. We followed the same philosophy for Lucky Chan, emphasising local materials and traditional Indian crafts. 

In terms of materials, we used a locally mined granite called Sadarahalli on the walls and floors, and birchwood panelling, mosaic tiles and soft pastel colours feature throughout. The lamps are made of raw silk and the chairs handwoven with coir. 

Can you tell us more about the custom ceiling installation?

A 250-module wooden installation was created in collaboration with local artisans in the nearby town of Channapatna, known for its wooden toy making. Involving hand-lathe woodwork and natural lacquering, this art form is completely eco-friendly. The lacquers are natural and the colours are derived from natural sources — red, for example, is made from the manjistha root, while yellow is made from turmeric and tesu flowers. Each module was hand turned and the forms were deliberately kept modern in order to fit the context. This installation is definitely the highlight of the space.

Images / Gokul Rao Kadam