In the heart of Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, a 1970s residence has been reimagined as Ra:tio, a 4,500 sq ft café where design, community, and coffee converge. Created by Val Atelier, led by Vaishnavi Linga, and landscaped by The Pinewood Studio, led by Meghna Dulani and Shashwat Gehenwar, the space transforms a once low-ceilinged home into a double-height, light-filled sanctuary that embodies calm, balance, and restraint.
© Val Atelier
"Designed and crafted with the same care as the perfect pour, Ra:tio is more than a café; it is an experience of balance, warmth, and flow," the team explains. Drawing inspiration from Japandi style, which marries the minimalism of Japanese wabi-sabi with the cosy comfort of Scandinavian hygge, every detail has been thoughtfully considered. From the slate roof to limestone flooring, the interiors reflect a philosophy of proportion, material honesty, and enduring elegance.
Structural interventions include steel reinforcements and a striking 22-foot-tall wooden door. Pinewood windows frame lush green views while flooding the interiors with natural light, and recurring grid patterns across floors, walls, and ceilings introduce a subtle rhythm without rigidity. Custom furniture by Vanto, crafted in solid wood with clean silhouettes, reinforces the café's emphasis on natural, enduring materials. A 16-foot wooden counter anchors the space, complemented by varied seating: cosy nooks by the windows, communal tables at the centre, and high stools on the mezzanine.
© Val Atelier
A third of the café's area is devoted to the outdoors. The Pinewood Studio designed a tropical garden with barrier-free access, ensuring inclusivity for all visitors. Shade structures and thoughtfully planned pathways allow the garden to function as an extension of the café, a retreat for relaxation, conversation, or work.
The café's name, Ra:tio, reflects the precision of coffee preparation, grind size, water temperature, brew time, and extends this idea to the design itself. Every element, from plastered walls to shelving details, contributes to a carefully calibrated harmony that balances functionality, aesthetic, and sensory experience.
© Val Atelier
Ra:tio now stands as a gathering place where design, ritual, and community intersect. Whether visiting for a quick meeting, lingering with a book, or savouring coffee, patrons are invited to experience a space where proportions, materials, and light work together to create a sense of calm and connection.
More information:
Val Atelier
www.instagram.com/val__atelier
