ai3 Concepts in Construction: Lure, restaurant design

Lure, ai3's new restaurant design with Peace Design, is shaping up nicely. Set to open this summer, Fifth Group's Lure is in its last weeks of construction and ready to be unveiled to an eager public.

The architectural design was inspired by the industrial fishing business...think...canneries and ice buildings of coastal towns.  This architectural aesthetic will contrast the interior design, inspired by glamorous images of coastal beaches... think... vacation. A stunning environment for eating the highest quality seafood from around the world.  This was one our favorite inspirational images.

We conducted a site visit with the ai3 studio and Choate Construction team for review of new, creative solutions to design, mechanical systems, and environmental components.

What we learned:

• A lot more work happens in the last 2 weeks of construction than you would expect! It is AMAZING!
• HVAC duct-less system was installed in the ceiling of the divisible private dining area. A great solution for limited ceiling/plenum space. (These are super-stacked, Tectum acoustical panels in the ceiling with recessed light fixtures.)

• Modular bar die design provides removable panels at the bar front.  This allows easy access to all plumbing and electrical equipment needs and provides an easier way to clean equipment. The team also learned to set the die on the sub-floor (if there isn't an existing floor) so that the top of the bar counter will be at the proper height.

• Kitchen flooring incorporates Wear-Tuff 1/4" recycled sheet vinyl with chemically welded seams and integral cove base. Our team felt it was a much nicer design aesthetic for the Kitchen than the quarry tile.
• 2200 gallon rain harvesting "Rain Pillow" will be incorporated into the basement area of Lure to collect gray water drainage. It will provide all irrigation for the property.
• Sometimes a port-a-potty is needed to hold up the back of a building. (kidding)

Other photographs from our site visit:

This project reminds me of where we all began... the ai3 partners spent many o' lunches and happy hours with our old firm at Vickery's, and Fifth Group's first restaurant, South City Kitchen, is just doors down Crescent Avenue. It seems this will be a special place for all of us.

ai3 study: 4th & Swift, 4 Years Later

As restaurant designers, it is always a good idea to be students of our own designs. Next month, Chef Jay Swift and General Manager Seth Roskind celebrate 4 years since the opening of 4th & Swift in the Old Fourth Ward of Atlanta.

Our studio dropped in after lunch this week to discuss the original project vision and what they've learned from the design. 

In 2008 the dining scene in Atlanta was quite different than today, with Restaurant Eugene and Rathbun's representing the few successful, chef-owned and chef-driven restaurants in town. Chef Jay sought to create a high end, chef-driven, neighborhood restaurant founded on the principles of utility, practicality, and simplicity. His focus was on establishing a connection to the chef with an open kitchen concept and creating a successful Bar as a focal point for a great meeting place.
"We seek to appeal to locals who wish they were in New York and out-of-towners who want to know they are in Atlanta."

So, how did we do? Jay and Seth believe we "nailed it."

Neighborhood:
The neighborhood is coming more and more; The economy impacted the development of the area, and the restaurant can sometimes be a little too expensive.  Their average ticket is $50-55.
They are honored to be a "special occasion restaurant" but are developing concepts to attract weekday patrons.  Foodies and the fine dining audience LOVE the restaurant. They break their revenue records for every special occasion- holidays, conventions, graduations, etc.

Need to create THE meeting place, create bar menu w/lower pricepoint & capitalize on cocktail program's success

The Bar & Patio:
Chef is developing a new bar menu and marketing concept to help create a "busy bar." The bar area is too often used as just waiting, so the new menu and cocktail pairings will give another dining option at a lower price point.  A new, permanent canopy is in development for the outdoor dining space with overhead fans and lighting. With the combination of casual patio dining and the new bar menu, they believe they will increase their patronage.

Chef grows fresh vegetables just to the left. 120 heirloom tomato plants are around the block.

"Refined Dining"
What is fine dining in Atlanta? While 4th & Swift doesn't meet all of the fine dining rules of service, they believe they are the next level down. Tablecloths are "who we are," and they want to maintain this for the patrons that love that atmosphere. They will introduce the bar/patio program to attract a more casual, daily crowd.

Table 60- Everyone's Favorite

Additions to Design:

• Screen now separates wait area at entry and beginning of banquette seating- This addition made the banquette one of the best places to sit! Eventually, they may create a collapsible vestibule at the front door.
• Tasting Table in Bar area is used for big parties, sideboard/way-lay station, set up name tags for private dining groups (corporate).
• Coat Hooks behind Host Stand

Acoustics:
There have a been a few comments, but overall it is not an issue; Can be a distraction for private parties when it kicks on, but it does provide energy to the space. (It's a big dining area when only a few tables are seated.)

What works:

• Banquette & Date Booths
• Soft lighting behind banquettes
• Private Dining areas, Draperies to subdivide, Flip-top tabletops
• Bar Design, especially equipment on casters
• Articulated back bar tops allow for lots of storage, added small wine coolers, liquor steps, etc.
• Wine display at back bar
• Chef Table at the Kitchen with glass sliders for service

Next Favorite Tables: the 2 date booths

Private dining flexibility great; Site Lines challenge

What we'd change:

• Include separate sink in service bar area
• Don't spec lighting that requires trim to be removed to change lamp
• Area rugs are great, but the surged edge ravels. This is always difficult for us!
• Wait Station kept away from Private Dining area & Check all Site Lines for views
• Separate Zones for audio speakers in Dining and Private Dining
• More convenience outlets throughout
• More shelving, shelving, shelving in Kitchen
• AV controls out in floor area

How do we measure our success? - Chef Jay Swift

"One of the best 3 decisions I made when opening the restaurant was hiring ai3, and I tell everyone that. I would have to stay up late and think long and hard to come up with anything I would change about ai3."
"I measure success based on how people feel when they walk in and how they feel when they leave. 'WOW,' is our standard."
"We were just voted 8th favorite restaurant in Atlanta amongst a lot of restaurants that have been around forever. I think that speaks volumes to what we're doing right."

ai3 & Loewenstein introduce "Tangent" at HD Las Vegas

ai3 has partnered with Loewenstein to introduce "Tangent" at HD Las Vegas tomorrow.

Over the years, we've heard our clients describe ideal spaces that support flexibility. We've designed coffee houses that transition from morning to evening, sales offices built to be both showroom and special event space, and hotel lobbies that provide a retreat for the individual while doubling as social space for groups.

Contemporary and quiet, Tangent gives designers a tool to customize spaces, large or small. Straight lines and simple design permit Tangent to become the signature element within a design or to remain a quiet complement to other accents. For designers of hospitality, higher education, corporate, or any commerical space, Tangent is a solution for multiple challenges. 

Conceived as a versatile modular lounge solution for large spaces, Tangent is a simple composition of ottomans and backs.  Components snap together or apart through a series of simple clamps and plugs disguised as upholstery buttons. With the ability to function one-sided or two-sided, as a chaise, loveseat, end table and ottoman, it offers a wide variety of seating within a limited square footage.  Whether perched on the back, relaxed with feet outstretched or engaged in conversation, the width of the back and corner pieces maintain a sense of personal space but also allow for collaboration.

The HD Show show runs from Tuesday-Thursday, 5/15-5/17 at the Sands Convention Center.