designDIRECTIVE
Renovate an existing restaurant with a limited budget and restricted time frame.
designCONCEPT
Monsoon Cuisine of India restaurant is inspired by a deep blue squall of a monsoon storm and the rich and vibrant spices of Indian food. Maintaining a modern and contemporary aesthetic, brilliant tonal variations of brick red, blue, and coastal gray are displayed on the walls. Concrete flooring is polished to a lustrous sheen like a calm lake. Stainless steel accents are balanced with rich wood tables and chairs. Sparkling chandeliers provide just the right amount of animation for the small space.
See mention of me in this article from Sacramento Press
Resources: Zuo Modern, West Elm, Z Gallerie, Jenco Companies, Benjamin Moore Paint, Inland Paint Company, Astra Contract Furniture.
Showing posts with label restaurant design. Show all posts
Showing posts with label restaurant design. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Does Good Design Mean Expensive Design?
Does good design mean
expensive design? Not necessarily. Money buys neither taste nor good design. My
restaurant project had a minuscule budget and my client didn't know what they
wanted, couldn't make choices when they were presented with them, and when they
did make a choice, they did not stick by those decisions. But we got through
it. I believe the result is a very pleasant environment that is both
comfortable and functional. While there are no unique design moments in the
space, there are also no huge mistakes, and most importantly, the design
supports the food, which should be the star. Sunday, December 4, 2011
Monsoon Restaurant Furniture Installation
The remodeling and renovation of my restaurant project is
completed. Now the fun part begins -installation of furniture and art. All the
furniture arrived on the eve that we finished polishing the floors and touched
up the paint, and I scheduled the installation for the next afternoon. I get a
frantic call from my client (never a good thing) telling me that they had
placed the tables and chairs and "something is wrong, because nothing fits!" Uh oh, I tell them I am on my way and we will
figure it out. In about 45 minutes I had all the tables and chairs placed
(according to the furniture plan) and my client wryly admitted, "Ah,
that's why you are so good at what you do." This was a nice affirmation,
indeed.Thursday, March 31, 2011
Morada Brewpub Thesis Project
projectDESCRIPTION
Adaptively reuse the old Morada Market to create and differentiate an inviting urban-contemporary microbrewery that departs from the dark, smoky, male-dominated stereotypical local tavern.
designDIRECTIVE
The restaurateur wants a design that revolves around a theme, but takes a subtle approach which gives diners a feel for what they are about to get, but leaves a little bit to the imagination — a trendy fine dining establishment with a relaxed casual chic vibe that may or may not be a brewpub. It feels sophisticated and futuristic, but homey and reminiscent of old world charm. The central design elements are organic, but geometric, pulling in the background of the building — a corner market — to evoke an authentic sense of place. The patrons should feel happy, relaxed and at ease, but excited as the fun environment draws them in.
Adaptively reuse the old Morada Market to create and differentiate an inviting urban-contemporary microbrewery that departs from the dark, smoky, male-dominated stereotypical local tavern.
designDIRECTIVE
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| Communal Dining Table |
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| Loggia Dining |
designSOLUTION
The design pulls inspiration from the very definition of morada — habitat and mulberry-colored; and the abundance of heritage oak trees in the area. Juxtaposing industrial elements with warm woods, geometric forms and shapes, and a color palette of graphite, violet, and fuchsia creates a textural enriching space. Steel elements are used abundantly in the brew house tanks, bar counter, casework and upward arching sculptures evoking a sense of excitement. Large sculptures with a narrow stem base fluting out into a conical umbrella made of rebar mimic the shape of an oak tree. Wood floors flank the lounge and dining areas providing a warm balance against the metal elements. Bright and patterned textiles cover the booths and benches, while oxblood faux leather on the barstools reminds that this is also a tavern. Large cylindrical glass pendants drip from the ceiling like pilsner glasses waiting to be filled by the craft beer brewed onsite.
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| Booth Dining |
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