RMV Club’s restaurant deck is a groundbreaking design that incorporates various features to create a private, semi-enclosed area within an open deck. It also offers an ideal setting for social gatherings, blending a cosy, airy ambience with an inviting atmosphere.
Madhusudan Sridhar, Principal Architect, Funktion Design, shares that this project marked their foray into tensile roof design, embodying their commitment to structural minimalism. It is inspired by Frei Otto, the renowned German engineer behind the Munich Olympics Stadium and its iconic tensile roof structures. The restaurant deck has been carefully crafted while maintaining its aesthetic appeal, structural integrity and functionality. SketchUp was employed as the primary design software for this project.
Smart spaces
This innovative structure addresses several factors that enhance the practicality and functionality of the deck. The curved design of this structure exudes visual interest and sophistication, creating a distinctive architectural element that elevates the club’s overall atmosphere. The deck’s shape allows it to blend seamlessly with the greenery surrounding the club, promoting a natural flow that enhances the landscape and offers unobstructed views of the trees.
The curvature of this deck can equally distribute the loads throughout the structure, enhancing its stability and enabling more efficient use of materials such as steel and tensile fabric. It helps form private, semi-closed areas within the open deck, offering diners privacy while maintaining an airy, open environment. The design creates a welcoming space that is ideal for social gatherings as well. This structure also optimises the available space within the site’s constraints, while enabling a functional layout which maximises seating and movement areas.
Eco-Friendly Escape
Structurally, the RMV Club innovatively combines steel and tensile fabric to create a lightweight yet robust framework that spans the site efficiently. The notable curved design not only enhances visual appeal but also improves structural integrity, allowing for seamless integration with the surrounding environment. By employing slender vertical supports, the design reduces the need for extensive foundations and cuts down concrete usage, making it both cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
Functionally, the deck leverages Bengaluru’s favourable climate to encourage natural ventilation and an airy atmosphere, enhancing the overall dining experience. Despite spatial limitations, the design optimises the available area, creating an intimate and functional dining space that integrates smoothly with the club’s existing amenities. Located above the pool, the deck features a cruciform layout with elliptical trusses at both ends and ellipsoidal trusses along the perpendicular axis, complemented by a curved roof structure. The roof is made of steel and tensile fabric. This deck is also connected to the main building by a 12 ft wide corridor with a composite deck floor and a tensile roof, and functions as a smoking area.
Efficient Engineering
The primary challenge was to complete the construction within four months to ensure the swimming pool was operational by the start of summer. Steel and tensile fabric were specifically chosen for their efficient spanning capabilities, time-effective construction, and delicate appearance which blends exceptionally well with the lush surroundings.
This structure does not allow future expansion, as it has already reached its maximum floor area ratio. However, The restaurant deck is an exceptional structure that harmonises with its surroundings. Featuring a minimalist design, it effectively addresses spatial constraints while seamlessly integrating with and enhancing the club’s overall ambience.
Fact File
Project Name: RMV Club, Bengaluru
Client: Rajamahal Vilas Club
Architect & Project Management: Funktion Design
Structural Consultant & Fabricator: Dalavai Infra & C Square
Supplier: C Square
Tonnage: 22 tonne
Current Status: Completed
Quote:
“The extension project at the recreational club faced space constraints, prompting us to create a semi-open restaurant deck above the swimming pool. Using steel and tensile fabric, a curved structure was designed, providing an intimate dining space overlooking the trees. The project successfully integrated with the club’s ambience and maximised the available space. The deck’s curved form added visual interest and privacy while fostering a warm atmosphere for social gatherings. This captivating extension harmoniously blended with nature, offering an unforgettable dining experience.”
Madhusudhan Sridhar, Principal Architect, Funktion Design
