London-based interior design studio FARE INC. proudly unveils the captivating design of Kolamba East, the latest culinary masterpiece brought to life by Eroshan and Aushi Meewella, situated in the vibrant heart of Spitalfields on Blossom Street. Seamlessly blending contemporary elegance with Sri Lankan heritage, Kolamba East promises to be a space of authentic charm and modern allure.
Responding to the vision of creating an elevated ambiance for Kolamba’s second site in Spitalfields, FARE INC. has meticulously crafted a design that extends the essence of the brand while introducing refined elements to captivate the city’s discerning market. Preserving the building’s historic architectural features, the design strikes a harmonious balance between modernity and the tropical vibes of Sri Lanka.
Inspired by their award-winning design of Kolamba’s inaugural Soho site in 2019, FARE INC. has carried forward a harmonious material and colour palette, incorporating rough plaster finishes in bright white to juxtapose against the industrial brickwork of the original warehouse, along with subtle hints of tropical timbers. The site is a special place; set just off Spitalfields market and surrounded by cobbled streets, the warehouse remained derelict for 40 years and is now an authentic piece of London right between the ever developing City and the trendy neighbourhood of Shoreditch. Founder and Creative Director Annie Harrison explains, “To enhance the exposed brick and original ceilings, we introduced backlit timber panelling inspired by Geoffrey Bawa’s modernist principles, paying homage to the renowned Sri Lankan architect within a historical space.”
Central to the design are custom elements such as a bustling bar serving as the focal point, akin to the lively atmosphere of the open kitchen in the first site. Unique features like the lighting fixture adorned with patchwork fabric and bespoke banquettes and tables add character to the space. Notably, the Oasis Green marble crazy paving surrounding the bar pays homage to the large-format terrazzo of the Soho site but in a more elevated manner.
The chosen colour and material palette emphasise tonal neutrals, accentuating texture over colour. Deep tropical greens and warm rust tans infuse warmth, harmonising with the brickwork. The juxtaposition of rough urban textures with polished concrete and aged brass elements creates a visually dynamic experience.
Harrison of FARE INC. describes the design as drawing inspiration from Geoffrey Bawa’s architectural legacy, embracing modernist shapes, open spaces, and a meticulous framing approach to achieve a delicate balance between old and new. Through close collaboration with the Meewellas, FARE INC. has infused the space with Sri Lankan culture, integrating elements such as Sonali Dharmawardena’s batik fabrics, handmade dining chairs, and lotus table lamps crafted by artisans from Colombo. This approach captures the essence of Sri Lanka’s rich heritage while honouring contemporary design principles.
Located in the Norton Folgate development, just a short walk from Liverpool Street Station on Blossom Street, the 95-cover Kolamba East promises to be a destination where guests can indulge in the rich culinary diversity of Colombo’s heritage, savouring dishes inspired by Eroshan and Aushi’s childhood memories and celebrating the vibrant communities of Sri Lanka.
Questions and Answers
What inspired the interior design of Kolamba East, and how does it reflect Sri Lankan culture in a central London setting?
Preserving the building’s historic architectural features, the design strikes a harmonious balance between modernity and the tropical vibes of Sri Lanka.
Harrison of FARE INC. describes the design as drawing inspiration from Geoffrey Bawa’s architectural legacy, embracing modernist shapes, open spaces, and a meticulous framing approach to achieve a delicate balance between old and new. Through close collaboration with the clients, FARE INC. has infused the space with Sri Lankan culture, integrating elements such as Sonali Dharmawardena’s batik fabrics, handmade dining chairs, and lotus table lamps crafted by artisans from Colombo. This approach captures the essence of Sri Lanka’s rich heritage while honouring contemporary design principles.
Can you tell us about the project team behind Kolamba East and how their collaboration contributed to the final design?
Through close collaboration with Kolamba’s founders the Meewellas, FARE INC. has infused the space with Sri Lankan culture.
As developers themselves the clients were actively involved in every stage of the project, with Eroshan Meewella project managing the build and Aushi Meewella collaborating with FARE INC on the design, helping to source Sri Lankan artisans and suppliers for the project to fit with the interior design.
