Building a restaurant is a complex process that requires careful planning and attention to detail. An excellent menu can only go so far, but the atmosphere you build around it can enhance the dining experience and have customers coming back for more. When it comes to restaurant structure design, there are a handful of vital aspects you will need to look into in order to make your business successful and profitable.
Factors and Requirements to Consider When Designing a Restaurant
There are several important elements that go into designing a restaurant extending well beyond having enough chairs and tables. Within the vision you have for your dining space, you need to find a balance in the setup and organization in order to meet restaurant standards, as well as reflect what you want your restaurant to look like. The design should fit your theme, have a layout that is practical, and ensure the comfort of your customers.
Atmosphere and Experience
An important aspect of restaurant design is deciding what sort of atmosphere you want your restaurant to provide for the customers when they come in. Layout and decoration are a big part of establishing the tone you set, so it’s important to know exactly what you are trying to achieve before you start designing your restaurant.
Are you aiming for a cafe bar design? You may be looking for fine dining with an expansive dining room, or maybe you are looking for a cafeteria style. The perfect place for a quick stop for breakfast or lunch with a to-go counter and casual seating. Whatever you choose, there are different styles for every type of dining experience. The theme of the restaurant and the ambiance you provide will also influence the type of customers who frequent it. One of the most important issues regarding customer experience is sound control. Modern eclectic restaurants with hard surfaces and slim decor are typically very loud places when the dining room is full. So much so, it can be very difficult to carry on a conversation. Integrating smart wall coverings, acoustical ceiling elements and decorative items that control reverberation can greatly improve the customer experience.
Practical Layout and Efficiency
The layout of a restaurant is an obvious influential component of restaurant structure design. Having the right setup for your seating, service areas, filling stations, access to the expo areas, and dining room decorations can enhance your customers’ dining experience, and prevent difficult navigation for staff and customers. You also have to take care in creating clean and efficient spaces for your staff, such as bussing areas, hand sinks, expos, and kitchen access. Avoiding circuitous and inefficient organization of your seating and service station placements can make all the difference for your customers and your employees.
It’s important to know how many customers you need to seat in order to profit, and ideally, try to double that number in the design. When planning your seating, it’s best to keep in mind areas of concern such as seats near the door where a draft might come in, close proximity to other tables, and if you can see into the kitchen or a cleaning station. Oftentimes these spots can dampen a dining experience so it’s best to avoid them when you can.
Another factor to consider is the HVAC system in the building. You want to be sure smoke, heat, and odors from the kitchen are being ventilated properly, away from the customers. You also want to be certain that your heating and air conditioning are functioning properly, and that your customers can be kept warm when it is cold outdoors and kept cool in a busy dining area when the weather is hot.
Do You Need an Architect for Restaurant Plans?
With the sheer amount of planning and technical work that has to go into restaurant structure design, having an architect for restaurant plans is important and very beneficial to the design process. Not only do you have someone to share your vision with, but you have an expert in the field who knows how to carry out the planning in a professional manner as well as the interior design chops to pull off your vision.
Constructing a restaurant means meeting building standards, and architects are well-versed in building codes. They can guide you through the structural and interior design, and they have a good understanding of setting up your ideal layout while keeping it clean and efficient. If you’re seeking to build a restaurant, or even remodel an existing one, the architects at HDA are immensely experienced in what makes a successful design, and ready to help you bring your vision to life.
Another reason to hire a Restaurant Architect is the technicalities of the actual kitchen layout and design. This includes code-required facilities, commercial cooking, and cleaning equipment as well as surfaces that will last without being hazardous to the staff. Understanding the intricate functions of the front of house vs. the back of the house, bulk food deliveries and storage, as well as points of sale, bar sales, take-out sales, and dine-in customers is critically important.
HDA Architects Inc. is experienced in the hospitality industry, restaurant design, standards for construction, building codes, and health department regulations. By working closely with you, our architects can bring your brand to life through strategically designed spaces for efficient operations and fine dining. With your design in mind, we can incorporate your ideas in the best and most efficient way to create a restaurant with a memorable atmosphere and dining experience.
