BigTop, a groundbreaking project in Bangalore, India, is redefining sustainable design with a touch of whimsy.
Crafted by the visionary team at Multitude of Sins, BigTop is a farm-to-table eatery that transcends conventional boundaries. Aptly named ‘The Circus Canteen’, it features an eclectic mix of discarded treasures that beckons visitors to wonder and wander. This journey of discovery is rooted in nostalgia and fueled by travel, embodying the spirit of a circus far removed from the ordinary.
BigTop’s birth is a testament to unconventionality at its core. “Surface finishes, custom lighting, art installations, and furniture have all been meticulously curated from a city-wide waste donation drive, salvage markets, and dumping yards,” says Principal Designer Smith Thomas. Remarkably, over 90 per cent of the materials used have been repurposed, breathing new life into discarded elements.
Brought to life by the vibrant artistic community of Bangalore Creative Circus, BigTop stands as an epitome of unbridled creative expression. Hues, textures, and bespoke upcycled installations curated by Thomas and collaborators like metal artists, Rahul KP of Mechanimal, and graffiti artists, Shunnal Ligade, infuse the eatery with a transportive experience.
BigTop makes an amusing first impression with its scarlet entrance door featuring a radial octet of hand horns and bicycle bells. The retrofitted door, original to the site, engages the sensory experiences of touch and sound. As patrons enter through a series of arches adorned with lively teal-hued scrap metal, they are welcomed into a world of eccentric beauty. Grunge chandeliers, fashioned from bike chains and metal filings, illuminate the passageway, flanked by upcycled vehicle headlights posing as luminaires.
The flooring, a Tetris-inspired ensemble of discarded display samples from ceramic, tile stores and active sites of fellow designers, creates an overarching mosaic. It leads visitors to the billing and food counters adorned with a patchwork collage of discarded wallpaper swatches, creating a vibrant backdrop of colour and pattern.
BigTop’s commitment to sustainability extends further into the eatery. The focal collage wall is an imaginative jigsaw of e-waste, sanitary fixtures, and discarded furniture. Against this artistic backdrop are equally whimsical furniture pieces.
Reupholstered chairs feature custom Alice in Wonderland-inspired prints and scrap mild steel armrests. A brass-finished metal signage that spells out the word ‘Christmas’ arches over a table. Discarded metal drain cover and WC fitting found on-site make up the Water Closet seat. “It’s the best seat in the house in our opinion, and truly from where we believe the best ideas are conceived too!” exclaims Thomas.
Even the artist’s section has embraced a fresh perspective on repurposing discarded sofas found along the city’s roadsides. These couches underwent a transformation with a distressed finish and are adorned with portraits of elegantly styled ladies, skillfully painted by the artist Kamesh Bhagatji. The accompanying table is crafted from reclaimed paint barrels, combined with miscellaneous pieces of mesh and rope, culminating in an artistic display featuring graffiti art by Shunnal Ligade.
At one corner where the retro-chic marquee signage reads ‘Motel’ is where the kitchen service window is located. Obsolete cassette tape box covers frame the latter, while the waiter’s station below boasts a deep teal patina and legs made from reclaimed glass blocks.
Perhaps the most unexpected element in BigTop is an accessible but non-functioning caravan that seems to emerge from the walls. Crafted by the team at Mechanimal, the bare shell of a truck from a city scrapyard is adorned with discarded car parts, fire extinguishers, a satellite dish and scrap metal.
BigTop also boasts a mezzanine level that overlooks the ground floor. Here, the tables are of a lively coral hue. One features defunct sanitary pipes and electronic regulators, while the other is detailed with electronic regulators and iridescent CDs as a celebration of the ‘60s golden disco era.
This project not only offers a feast for the senses but also serves as a beacon for environmental awareness. In the hands of Multitude Of Sins, it is more than just a space; it is a celebration of misfits, where oddities find their serendipitous home. One man’s trash truly becomes another man’s treasure in BigTop.
.
BigTop
Client: Bangalore Creative Circus
Location: Bangalore Creative Circus, Yeshwantpur, Bangalore, India
Interior Design: Multitude Of Sins
Principal Designer: Smita Thomas
Metal Art: Rahul KP of Mechanimal
Light and Tape Art: Nithin Sadhu of Layer Tape
Graphic Artist: Rahul Chacko
Wall Art and Graffiti Artist: Shunnal Ligade
Furniture Art: Kamesh Bhagatji
Floor Area: 2,134 sqft
Date of Completion: January 2022
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
The American Hardwood Export Council promotes the works of next-gen designers through Discovered Singapore exhibition happening from 16 to 22 May at Red Dot Design Museum Singapore.
Savage Design’s approach to understanding the relationship between design concepts and user experience, particularly with metalwork, transcends traditional boundaries, blending timeless craftsmanship with digital innovation to create enduring elegance in objects, furnishings, and door furniture.
The Sub-Zero Wolf showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne provide a creative experience unlike any other. Now showcasing all-new product ranges, the showrooms present a unique perspective on the future of kitchens, homes and lifestyles.
In the pursuit of an uplifting synergy between the inner world and the surrounding environment, internationally acclaimed Interior Architect and Designer Lorena Gaxiola transform the vibration of the auspicious number ‘8’ into mesmerising artistry alongside the Feltex design team, brought to you by GH Commercial.
Technē Architecture + Interior Design associate director, Sam Sempill, shares insights into hospitality design.
We spoke to Ketil Årdal, CEO of Danish green-tech design brand, Mater, as they unveiled the Alder collection at Milan Design Week.
For 50 years, Alspec has been a driving force in Australia’s architectural landscape. As a wholly Australian-owned company, their commitment to innovation and exceptional service has positioned them as a leading supplier of aluminium window and door systems for commercial, residential, and industrial applications.
When iconic brands wield their influence, the ripples extend far beyond aesthetics. And so when the MillerKnoll collective formed, the very concept of design shifted, supercharging the industry’s aspiration to create a better world into an unwavering sense of responsibility to do so.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Warren and Mahoney’s mixed-use project in Auckland is approaching full occupancy, with big plans across hospitality, workplace, retail and more.
The AIA Alta Wellness Haven offers the complete package for health and wellbeing away from the busy city life in Hong Kong and does it through a stellar interior design.
For 50 years, Alspec has been a driving force in Australia’s architectural landscape. As a wholly Australian-owned company, their commitment to innovation and exceptional service has positioned them as a leading supplier of aluminium window and door systems for commercial, residential, and industrial applications.