Adda Pub

Adda Pub

Adda Pub is an innovative hospitality design project that reimagines the traditional concept of a highway restaurant and pub through thoughtful architectural integration and spatial planning. Located along the Delhi-Chandigarh highway in India, this 1,500-square-meter establishment derives its name from the Hindi word Adda, meaning a gathering place, and exemplifies a harmonious blend of contemporary design with vernacular Indian architectural elements. The design's distinctive feature lies in its seamless unification of three distinct spaces - two sprawling terraces and an enclosed central area - into a cohesive whole that maintains individual character while ensuring fluid interconnectivity. The architectural innovation is particularly evident in its unique roofing solution, which incorporates burnt clay tiles embedded with glass, creating dynamic light and shadow patterns throughout the day. This thoughtful material selection, combined with the use of traditional elements such as Indian white and black marbles, red oxide, and strategic landscaping, establishes a strong connection to local architectural heritage while serving modern hospitality needs. The establishment's design, which earned a Silver A' Design Award in the Hospitality, Recreation, Travel and Tourism Design category, successfully addresses the challenge of creating a unified space from disparate areas through strategic placement of the entrance and careful subdivision into intimate seating zones. The project, completed in 2018, represents a significant achievement in hospitality design, offering travelers a sophisticated yet comfortable environment that seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor experiences while maintaining a strong connection to its cultural context.

hospitality design, terrace restaurant, vernacular architecture, highway pub, contemporary Indian design, sustainable architecture

— Adam Dawson