The food and beverage industry is a highly-skilled competitive industry that is in a constant state of flux. The perception of food and our expectations from dining experiences continually evolves with time. Over the years, we have also become spoiled for choice with the mushrooming of F&B setups all across the country. Restaurants today entice diners with gourmet cuisine, exceptional services and one-of-a-kind experiences.
Good design is often the distinguishing factor that sets a restaurant apart from its competitors. The industry is fiercely competitive and requires a lot more effort for businesses to succeed; hence, the importance of design cannot be overstated. Design that celebrates the cuisine and context lends character and originality to the space and ensures a memorable dining experience. it also goes a step further to evoke a feeling, allowing diners to soak in the ambience—the sights, smells, and sounds they would like to associate with. It's instinctive and also intuitive.
At Baradari, inside Jaipur's City Palace Museum, the context and history of the restaurant itself gave us a rich starting point, and we attempted to use its design to represent the Pink City in today's context. The remodelled museum cafe and restaurant explores contemporary design and architectural language within the framework of old structures, functioning as an anchor between the Walled City and the museum.
There is also a lot more deliberation on the diversity that F&B facilities are offering, both globally and within the country. One significant shift is the focus on authentic food experiences and local produce. There has been plenty of awareness in making dining inclusive for people with multiple dietary patterns. A diverse demographic (old and infirm, young people, kids, people with pets) also calls for diverse functional and ergonomic needs, informing our choices as design practitioners.
Restaurant design that is rooted in strong, authentic concepts and is designed with engagement, interaction, inclusivity and safety in mind stays relevant for longer and works to create lasting impressions in the minds of its patrons. These values are at the core of our work at Studio Lotus.
