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27-02-2026

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Dhol & Soul — An Ode to India in the Heart of Eindhoven

When Studio Knest was entrusted with designing Dhol & Soul, an Indian restaurant in Eindhoven, the brief came wrapped in emotion — to create a space where every corner tells a story of India. The challenge was not to replicate the obvious, but to reinterpret the essence of the country through materials, textures, and moods that resonate universally.

Spanning 1500 sq.ft, Dhol & Soul is envisioned as a soulful dining experience — where architecture, memory, and emotion harmoniously converge.

Studio Knest approached the project with a design language rooted in earthiness and calm. The walls are finished in soft lime plaster, their subtle texture reminiscent of traditional Indian homes. Warm wooden arches introduce rhythm and depth, defining intimate dining pockets while lending a sculptural continuity to the space.

The lower half of the wall is dressed in olive-green KitKat tiles, chosen for their quiet sheen and vertical rhythm. Their tone beautifully complements the greens that filter through the skylit courtyard, creating a dialogue between the built and the natural. This tactile pairing of tile and foliage establishes a grounded, harmonious palette — one that feels both contemporary and timeless.

Eindhoven,Noord-Brabant,Netherlands The

Architects	:	StudioKNest
Area	:	1500 sq. ft.
Year of Completion	:	2025
Website	:	https://instagram.com/studioknest?igshid=ZDdkNTZiNTM=

Courtyard seating of Dhol & Soul by StudioKNest

At the heart of the restaurant lies a skylit courtyard — an open, meditative space where a slender tree rises gracefully towards the light. The dappled sunlight streaming through fabric canopies evokes the gentle warmth of an Indian afternoon, transforming the act of dining into a sensory experience. For Studio Knest, this element became the soul of the design — a modern-day reinterpretation of the Indian courtyard, where nature and community seamlessly coexist.

Every artwork and object at Dhol & Soul was thoughtfully curated to celebrate India's artistic legacy. Antique carved window panels, handpicked from Rajasthan, adorn the terracotta-toned walls — each piece a fragment of Indian history frozen in time. Built-in wall niches display handcrafted artefacts, brass utensils, and folk figurines, transforming the architecture into a living gallery. These details were not added as ornamentation, but as storytellers — each carrying whispers of India's everyday culture, craftsmanship, and soul.

Courtyard seating of Dhol & Soul by StudioKNest

Detailed shot of dining at courtyard of Dhol & Soul by StudioKNest

Courtyard seating of Dhol & Soul by StudioKNest

Serving Counter of Dhol & Soul by StudioKNest

Indoor dining of Dhol & Soul by StudioKNest

The interior bridges nostalgia and modern design sensibilities. Elegant chandeliers inspired by classic Indian glamour coexist with sleek, contemporary furniture in natural wood and cane. Upholstered seats in warm rust and ochre tones invite comfort, while polished concrete flooring adds a quiet, urban edge. Together, these elements create a layered aesthetic — refined yet rooted, sophisticated yet deeply human.

For Studio Knest, Dhol & Soul is not just a restaurant; it is an emotional narrative expressed through architecture. Every finish, curve, and colour choice was made to evoke warmth, connection, and belonging. The space doesn't imitate India — it feels like India, distilled into textures, light, and soul.

Nestled in the heart of Eindhoven, Dhol & Soul stands as a heartfelt celebration of identity — a place where design, food, and emotion come together in rhythm, much like the dhol and the soul that inspired its name.