650 Light Magic

650 Restaurant is a tribute to India’s rich cultural heritage, where ethnic character meets refined contemporary sophistication. Housing an extensive collection of antiques and handcrafted artifacts, the space tells a story of craftsmanship and transmission, elevated by the lighting design of Atelier dada and the architectural vision of Hiren Patel. This collaboration was recognized with the Best Regional Interior Design award in the Hospitality Projects category at the IIID Awards 2012.

Atelier dada’s intervention took place on an almost completed site, with existing electrical layouts and fixtures already embedded within stone walls and wooden ceilings. The challenge lay in rebalancing the lighting composition to achieve a warm, intimate and culturally rooted atmosphere. Superfluous light points were removed, others carefully repositioned, allowing the space to breathe and regain visual harmony.

Custom-designed luminaires play a central role in shaping the restaurant’s identity. They delicately illuminate each table while revealing the richness of the carved wooden ceiling, offering focused and comfortable light for guests. Additional concealed sources were integrated to subtly highlight sculptural niches and dining areas, creating focal points that resonate with the antique collection.

Outdoors, the stone pavilions are enhanced through discreet recessed lighting that reveals architectural details without overpowering the scene. Along the landscaped approach, low-height bollards gently guide visitors, maintaining visual continuity and preparing the transition toward the interior experience. This landscape lighting transforms the arrival into a gradual, immersive journey.

Celebrated for its seamless dialogue between heritage, architecture and light, 650 Restaurant stands as a landmark of cultural and culinary expression. Awarded by the IIID Awards, the project remains a lasting example of Atelier dada’s ability to reveal the soul of a place through precise, sensitive and enduring illumination.