Project type: Commercial
Location: Royal Calcutta Golf Club, Kolkata, India
Area: 3000 sq footage
Name of Design Firm: Spaces & Design, Kolkata, India
Principal Interior Designer: Pooja Bihani
Photographer: Vivek Das
Written Description: Aziz Amim

India was the first country, outside of Great Britain, to adopt golf as a sport. The first golf club of India was founded in 1829 – the Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC). Affectionately known as the “Royal” it is synonymous with the game of golf in this country and is the oldest golf club outside the British Isles.

Royal is essentially a golf club and has maintained that character over the years. A substantial effort has been put in over the last decade to enhance the course both on the design and beautification fronts and now Royal is considered to be one of the finest golf courses not only in India but also in Asia.

The vintage yet modern bar where golfers enjoy their time after their game of 18 holes is aptly called

Bar at 19^th

The bar opens up physically and visually into the wonderful golf greens and the blue sky.

Earlier it was in an enclosed area that was aloof of the beautiful view outside but now the materials and techniques make it unique and fun yet elegant and a signature bar for golfer’s not only in Kolkata but also in the country.

The bar extends into a beautiful curve that opens it up to the golf greens through its heritage arches. Although the curve is asymmetrical, focus and axis from there makes everything else fall in place. The tables, the lounge sofa’s as well as the ceiling all get a definition.

DESIGN APPROACH

The interior architecture was designed and modulated in a manner that this curve now looks symmetrical and anchored as if it was meant to be. The key to this was opening up and “restoring “the five arches back to the hundred-year-old planning of the heritage building. As they say “old is gold!” Bringing the arch proportions back helped in the aesthetics. They now open up to the outside which could be converted into an outdoor deck and form a great ambience in winters.

The 200-year-old heritage building had lost its identity over the years by many probable renovations and needs. The 5 wonderful arches were covered up with Aircon’s and had no view to the greens. The arches are now restored to original and their proportions have been enhanced in the interior by false key stones.

All the furniture and accessories for this space are custom made by the team at Spaces & Design and some by local dealers. The unique blue shade which is coincidentally the Pantone shade of the year 2020 bring about the green that golfers identify their passion with. All the elements in the interiors anchor the blue on the walls.

“Everything about Golf was an inspiration including the right swing to a golfer, the golf clubs and the visual treat of golf greens with the blue sky. Restoring the building itself was a huge responsibility and an inspiration. Identifying the right proportion of the arches was a great experience and journey rather than a challenge”

-concludes Pooja Bihani, Spaces & Design.