Katha Coffee | Financial District
Set in the heart of the financial district of Hyderabad, India, this project is an evocative spatial translation of a brand deeply rooted in Indian coffee. More than a café, it is imagined as a cultural environment where the story of coffee unfolds through design, materiality, and atmosphere. The entrance itself sets the tone, with a brushed metal threshold inscribed with “The Story of Indian Coffee,” a subtle yet powerful gesture that signals the layered experience inside
The interiors are choreographed with focused pools of light that carve out quiet zones for reflection, reading, and listening. From the intimate “Listening Booth,” where one can immerse in music or narratives, to the embedded seating nooks, the space encourages unhurried encounters with both coffee and culture. The traditional Indian-style seating, low and intimate, evokes a sense of familiarity and groundedness, creating a cozy atmosphere that resonates with collective memory and everyday rituals.
Colors play a central role in articulating the brand’s identity; deep green limewashed walls and warm timber inserts balance calmness with an edgy character, echoing the richness and intensity of coffee itself. Materials are chosen for their tactility and honesty. Terrazzo bases provide weight and permanence, polished wood brings warmth, and muted upholstery adds comfort without excess.
Together, these choices weave a narrative that is both contemporary and rooted, minimalist yet expressive. The project demonstrates how design can embody cultural storytelling, turning a visit for coffee into an experience of pause, intimacy, and discovery. It is a place where architecture, brand, and everyday ritual meet seamlessly.
Location | Hyderabad, India
Project Size | 1800sft
Client | Katha Coffee
Project Team | Brett Mahon, Ramya Nandyala, Akhil Ponnuru
General Contractor | Asquare Fitouts
Lighting Consultant | Lightworks
Photography | Studio MANA
