Project Overview

Shift and Sip is a creative response to Kotagiri’s evolving urban needs, an adaptive reuse project that transforms an existing two-bay garage into a mezzanine café experience without compromising the garage’s function. Located along a bustling road, the project redefines a utilitarian space into a vibrant commercial hub, marrying structure and experience through thoughtful design.

Functional Zoning & Spatial Flow

Ground Floor: Retains the garage service bays, along with newly added manager’s room and spare rooms
Upper Level (Mezzanine): Café kitchen, indoor seating area, and visual connection to both the main road and the activity below
The roof design ensures sustainable light penetration while enhancing thermal comfort

Sustainability & Adaptive Value

This project demonstrates how small-scale adaptive reuse can be both economical and ecologically responsible:

Minimal material use by retaining the original structure
Focus on natural lighting reduces daytime energy usage
Reprogrammed urban edge adds new value to underutilized spaces

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Design Intent

The project aimed to retain the original garage operations at the ground level, while introducing a café space above. Rather than demolishing and rebuilding, the design celebrates the spirit of reuse, working within the constraints of the existing columns and slab system.

The mezzanine café is accessible via a newly introduced staircase, and houses:

A compact kitchen and service counter
Indoor seating with views toward the road and the garage
Carefully oriented windows and a specially designed roof that provides ample natural daylight during the day and diffused lighting in the evenings

Shift & Sip

Location

Kannerimukku, Kotagiri

Project Type

Adaptive Reuse | Café + Garage

Layout 01 - Vaulted Harmony with Ethnic Soul

Year

2023

Site Area

3,500 sq ft

Scope

Spatial Transformation | Mezzanine Infill

A dynamic visual of the café’s adaptive reuse design, showcasing the exterior transformation and sectional breakdown of the garage-to-café concept in Kotagiri. The video highlights spatial layering, roof form, and dual-function zones.

Exterior Rendered Video & Sectional View

This sectional video offers a detailed look into the café’s mezzanine interior, revealing seating arrangements, the kitchen layout, and the spatial relationship between the garage below and the café above.

Cross Section Video (Interior)

Exterior Rendered Video & Sectional View

A full-day timelapse capturing how natural light fills the café, from morning to evening. The roof’s angled design and open edges ensure soft, diffused daylight that enhances ambiance and reduces energy use.