26/07/2020
Recently documented this cafe for A Design Co. in Chennai
The pilot outlet for this QSR food brand had to accommodate its diverse range of food tpes within a single contiguous space. It comprised of a sweetshop and vegetarian restaurant adjacent to the café & bakery. The interior spaces also needed to be an extension of the brand to ensure easy recognizability
The floor plate was divided between the two entities and the common kitchen and services. The back of house was designed to ensure no cross contamination between the vegetarian and non-vegetarian sections through the entire process of manufacturing. User feedback had initially suggested that the two entities needed to be distinct and separate and this drove the development of the initial concept.
The functioning of the space is inspired by a food hall, where a diverse range of food offerings are available within a single space with clear wayfinding. The design incorporates a combination of signage and graphics to engage visitors as they pass by and after they enter. It showcases the diverse range of the menu being offered and also encourages customers to migrate between the two halves and encourage additional purchases.
In the sweets and vegetarian restaurant, the emphasis is on the display of the sweets and the food that is prepared live with generous amounts of display for the packaged products being offered. In the bakery and café, a long service counter is the anchor which displays the desserts on offer along with a live kitchen and display areas for cakes and baked products. The two areas are tied together by a seating island around which the customers can move freely between the two spaces.
Pic Courtesy : Yash jain