Also read | Step inside ‘world’s largest cafe’ in Bengaluru spread across 90,000 square foot with a unique south Indian temple theme In the heart of Thiruvananthapuram, where frantic traffic meets the daily rush of commuters, stands a cylindrical red-brick tower that reimagines what a public space can be. Built in the 1950s, this Indian Coffee House (ICH) turns a routine filter coffee-and-cutlet stop into an architectural experience.
The exterior you see from the road is a deep-red, unplastered brick cylinder punctured by hundreds of triangular jaalis. The pattern isn’t decorative alone — the gaps become the windows, ventilation and light. Also read | Brewed with nostalgia: Photo exhibition celebrates the appeal of the Indian Coffee House
While Laurie Baker reportedly envisioned a self-service system — grab food on the ground floor and find a spot along the ramp — the cafe adapted to traditional table service. Decades later, the red-brick spiral proves that functional, eco-conscious design need not be confined to luxury resorts or museums. It can serve as a place for everyday people to meet over a cup of coffee.
