We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Chaos Design Studio about their original and creative Restaurant design work. Chaos Design Studio is an award-winning architectural designer, that makes our world a better place with their original restaurant works.
Chaos Design Studio ("CDS") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Blue Chip Indulgence Restaurant. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
CDS : The main inspiration for the design was an Old English design that would reflect the tasteful blend between the old and the new. Drawing inspiration from the restored British colonial mansion that the restaurant is situated in and how the restaurant displays a fine selection of French fusion cuisine, we sought to recreate those elements while incorporating modern materials and forms.
CDS : When designing this project, our main focus was on bringing out an elegant and warm vibe by using certain colours and materials as well as lighting and customised fixtures. We wanted to create a fine-dining restaurant that upheld an air or classiness yet was very welcoming, so that one could feel at ease and relaxed while dining. Besides that, we wanted to help our clients make the most out of the space, by using furniture that could allow for an adjustable layout and served several functions while being aesthetically pleasing.
CDS : This particular design concept was based on the new branding direction concept of the restaurant and the Old English theme suggested by the clients. Using the colour schemes and specific keywords of feelings that the design should induce introduced in the branding concept, we set out to create a truly unique restaurant design, that was not only a pleasure to be viewed but extremely functional in terms of effective space usage and serviceability of the design.
CDS : Our design works are self-produced by our studio for our clients.
CDS : We were approached by our clients to refurbish the fine-dining restaurant. As we have experience working in various designs, this restaurant design was something that we were confident we could deliver our best on as well.
CDS : Before we took part in this refurbishment project, the restaurant already had an existing design with existing furniture. We maintained the blue banquet seat and display tree as the centre of the dining area and built on all the other aspects of the current design from our own ideas and those suggested by our client, to fit the new branding direction and maximise functionality for the restaurant at its current state.
CDS : Made for our clients, a fine-dining restaurant, this design serves as the welcoming backdrop for customers who enjoy dining in a high-class environment or just any customer who visits the restaurant for personal functions or uses the restaurant space for corporate events.
CDS : Concepts using Old English or European design themes may not be uncommon, but our design is a unique one because of the blend between the old and modern as well as the customisation of furniture and layout. Elements such as wainscot panels and vintage fireplace and photographs coupled with metallic materials and modern lighting fixtures bring out both old and modern vibes within the space. Customised furniture too allows the space to be truly unique as the furniture found here will only ever be seen and best functional for this particular design in serving its purpose.
CDS : The name Blue Chip Indulgence was penned by our studio. It is a creative play on words to reflect the ambiance shown through the design. "Blue chip" carries the meaning of top tier and high class, while the colour blue is a recurring scheme that can be seen within the design. "Indulgence" speaks of the pleasurable feelings when one savours the quality foods in the restaurant coupled with the relaxing ambiance of the environment. The name as a whole sums up what it would be like to experience the design for this project, that is warm, high-class and comfortable.
CDS : The initial steps of the design focused on using freehand sketches to have full control over the flexibility of forms to be used in the design. On later parts of the design, AutoCAD and 3DMax was used to help realise these design and examine the practicality accurately.
CDS : The most unique aspect of the design is how we were able to priorities both functionality and aesthetic through fixtures and fittings such as wine rack and screens that serve the purpose of display and privacy screening, paired with dining furniture which are easily adjusted to accommodate different functions within the vicinity. Besides that, fine detailing in the selection of materials and colors further enhanced the elegant and welcoming ambiance of the fine dining restaurant. Hence, displaying how neither functionality or aesthetics was left out.
CDS : (Building process with sub-cons?)
CDS : AutoCAD and 3DMax softwares were used during the design process. (Technology in terms of building methods?)
CDS : The biggest form of research done for this project was on how to solve issues surrounding problems of rising damp, including how to reduce and prevent it, while preserving the heritage structure. Working on this project situated in a colonial building, the team investigated methods on the maintenance of the structure and minimization of issues with dampness in load bearing walls. Research on the best measurements and forms for the customised furniture was also done, such as using wine bottles as an accurate scale to produce the most effective and functional wine rack.
CDS : When proposing the Old English theme and other design elements, we knew that we wanted to preserve the existing structures of the building as much as possible. Hence, we were challenged on how to overcome dampness of load bearing walls due to rising damp issues common in old colonial buildings while conforming to the client request to create an elegant and warm Old English style fine dining restaurant that can cater for various functions. Effective solutions were found to minimize the problem of dampness, while an elegant and welcoming vibe was presented through rounded forms, metallic and wooden materials used, while adjustable furniture maximized the serviceability of the space.
CDS : (This particular project was submitted for local design competitions and published in local magazines. Hence, we believed, since the start that this design possesses a unique value that we wanted to showcase to a wider audience through submitting it to an international design competition?)
CDS : (Creativity, and thinking out of the box to solve problems?)
CDS : No, thank you.
