An example of how we can use interior design to brighten up a very basic industrial space, this project with Gino D’Acampo in Leeds required a fine balance of comfortable dining chairs and functional open spaces for both the team and customers to navigate through.
With fairly low ceilings, this project space was unlike many we have come across in the past. Generally, an industrial style of building boasts high ceilings and plenty of open space – however this site had multiple pillars obstructing the layout and low ceilings, made even more obvious due to the dark colour palette throughout.
Lightening and brightening the space was a priority for the client and so one of the first interior changes we made to this restaurant was with the lighting. We kept the original industrial features including the pillars and stairs but installed rows of drop ceiling lights with a cage-inspired shade design. These lights were carefully positioned to sit over each table as part of our blueprint layout, allowing us to optimise the customer experience and create that feeling of intimacy which can be difficult to achieve in a large open space.
From there, selecting the right furnishings required a combination of brand focus and the need to reflect the industrial setting without detracting from the warmth of the overall environment. We chose comfortable chairs in the signature duck egg blue of the brand and installed wooden tables with a metal ring touching on that industrial vibe. The walls along some parts of the restaurant were used to create more intimate booths for larger parties and those seeking extra privacy during their meal, and we made sure to keep the kitchen and service space open and well lit to add a little drama and performance to the overall guest experience.
Finally, influences from the brand’s spotlight cuisine were used as part of the decorating, creating the consistency that is expected across Gino restaurants up and down the country.
