Tijuana Mama's
Tijuana Mama’s Mexican Restaurant
The Brief:
The clients brief was simple but open to interpretation; a cost
effective, contemporary, family orientated, Mexican restaurant, which
would be the first of a new franchise.
L
ocation:
The site is a 136sqm new tenancy, almost triangular in shape, with an
outdoor dining area of 83sqm, at the Great Western Super Centre in
Keperra, Queensland.
Our Ambition:
- To design a new style of Mexican dining, without the stereotype of the traditional Mexican themed restaurant.
- To stimulate the senses of passers-by, with the use of colour, atmosphere, aroma & music.
- Ensure that all elements could be manipulated, or repeated for future chain restaurants.
Our Solution:
- Curve the walls into the bulkhead, finish with an intense paint
colour, and conceal fluorescent up-lighting to the back of the dining
booths.
- To create great impact with the service counter and to be the
first element to captivate attention. We achieved this by back-lighting
‘New Brown Figo Pearl – Marblo’
- Amtico Vinyl floor finishes were the perfect material to create curves and still be easily cleaned to remain hygienic.
- Concealed and visible lighting could be adjusted to create a
different ambience / atmosphere, dependant on the time of day and / or
patrons requirements.
- The kitchen was made open so that patrons could see & smell their meals as they were being prepared.
- Bi-fold doors and windows were used to open up the interior
space, and let the outside in. This was also beneficial in creating a
large, open and inviting entry.
The Outcome:
The opening night of ‘Tijuana Mama’s’ did a roaring trade. As the
first of its kind, the vibrancy and energy of the restaurant was
prominent. The design seemed to captivate the target market very
successfully as was intended. The atmosphere was fun,
fresh. The Client was ecstatic with the design and keen to use it
as the prototype for the ‘Tijuana Mama’s’ restaurant chain
Senior Interior Designer: Belinda Magri MDIA
Interior Designer: Debbie Venz
