Buckley Gray Yeoman designs striking new Dublin restaurant for Nando’s

9th December 2011, 9:55am

London-based architecture practice Buckley Gray Yeoman (BGY) has completed its latest restaurant for the Nando’s chain on Dublin’s Mary Street in the city centre.

Having completed projects for Nando's branches in London, Manchester and Glasgow, BGY was given a flexible brief that revolved around bringing a fresh design approach to Dublin and delivering a restaurant unlike any other Nando's.

The new restaurant welcomes customers with a design that encapsulates the warm, fun atmosphere of the Nando's brand whilst also showcasing BGY's approach to creating carefully detailed spaces. As customers enter the restaurant, they are greeted by a servery area, clad at random intervals with exposed reinforcement bars, a material traditionally concealed within concrete, to create a ribbed effect.

A blend of up and down-lighting is used to bring this feature to life and transform its appearance as the light conditions change throughout the day.

Whilst walking through the 80-seat restaurant, customers experience a range of vibrant colours that are accentuated by industrial-looking fixtures and fittings. From brightly coloured hand-made wall tiles to reclaimed industrial furniture, an eclectic range of materials and a lively palette of colours have been selected by BGY to animate the space.

A prominent example of the high-level of detailing found throughout the project is the intricate ceiling, made out of hand-woven English willow that appears to float above diners. At the back of the restaurant, the tactile willow panels form a backdrop to the booth-seating area and are low enough to be touched while from the outside the ceiling creates an inviting gesture to the street.

Paul Thrush from Buckley Gray Yeoman, said: "The range of materials, textures and colours in the restaurant speaks volumes about the project's adventurously open brief. For each restaurant we've delivered for the Nando's, the client has encouraged us do something new and take a fresh approach, with all projects linked by a sense of fun and keen eye for detail."

Buckley Gray Yeoman is currently working on a Nando's restaurant in Dundee, Scotland.