Megabite Cafeteria

This 800 seater cafeteria is planned for Gigaplex IT Park, an SEZ project in Airoli, Navi Mumbai.

The layout is broken up into varying seating configurations that caters to all types of users that visit this cafeteria. Small and large groups, formal and informal diners all find a space here.

The cafeteria deploys a multi-vendor system for catering and all of them are located at the perimeter where they can be easily operated through the service areas on either side and thereby free up maximum space for seating in the middle. At the core of the layout is a dining hall that seats 600 people. This is interspersed with informal bar counter style seating for those in smaller groups or grabbing a quick bite. A long seating island in the centre of the cafeteria serves as a meeting point. A more comfortable lounge style seating is provided for those seeking to relax during their break. One large and three small dining rooms can be used for a more private set up. During non dining hours these rooms can even be used for conferences.

The cafeteria is interspersed with planters that become important visual elements used to divide the dining areas into different sections. This creates a welcoming atmosphere inside the cafeteria. The success of the cafeteria lies in subsidising the costs for the operators. To keep the rents and food costs low a tab had to be kept on the project costs as well. Simple, durable and readily available materials are used albeit creatively in angled patterns that forms the vocabulary of the project. All services on the ceiling were left exposed again to save time and costs and give an industrial aesthetic.

This cafeteria is more than just a dining space. We expect it to be used as an extension of the office space which fosters opportunities to meet and connect with other people.