Chesa Swiss Restaurant*
Deal Place A, Colombo 3, Sri Lanka

Client: Chesa Swiss
Status: Complete
Year: 2004
Budget: LKR 4.9M
Project type: Commercial/Restaurant
Size: 3,540 ft2

Dining at Chesa is all about feeling at home: being treated as more than just guests, they are there for more than just a meal. Chesa Swiss is a specialty restaurant that was initially opened in a bungalow-style residential building and since its opening the restaurant has upheld its essence and authenticity. After serving guests for nine years, Chesa was closed for renovation before the arrival of Jeannine and Michael – its new Swiss chef duo. The focus of the renovation was to improve standards, making Chesa the best Swiss fine dining restaurant in town.

Maintaining the original capacity of 70 seats, the indoor and outdoor, as well as service and support facilities such as kitchen, storage, public utility and parking etc. were upgraded. Dining interiors including flooring, ceiling, architectural lighting and furniture were redesigned to enhance the home-like ambience. Interiors of the two main dining halls on the north and east wings were modified for fine dining. The third dining room with an adjacent terrace area was redesigned with wrought iron furniture, canvas awnings and pastel shaded walls to create a more informal environment, targetting younger groups.

The exterior of the building was treated with architectural features derived from Swiss streetscape such as window flower troughs, cobblestone paving in geometrical patterns, and wrought iron fences, making the domestic-scaled restaurant a landmark to passersby.

* While at The Design Group Five (International) Private Limited