Lucy Tauber Architects were appointed by Square Pie to design their sit-down restaurant and take away Pie and Mash shop at the Brunswick Centre. It marked a considerable move forwards for Square Pie which had specifically focused on takeaway produce. The new site, in the Modernist Brunswick Centre, presented new challenges as a retail unit due its narrow external elevation, deep and split interior space and high ceilings.
From the outset, a priority of the client was to offer an explicit and clear view of the premises to customers and to maintain and develop the identity of the brand that existing customers were already familiar with.
When approaching the development of the concept and addressing the operational aspects of the brand, Lucy Tauber architects considered it was a priority to rationalise the appearance of the front and back of house so that it would offer clear understanding of the premises to customers from the street. It was important that the seating area was calm and comfortable and not compromised by a bustling prep and takeaway area. The intention was also to create a bright and confident interior that would convey the cheeriness of the brand’s personality.
Suspended ceilings above the counter and the seating areas were introduced to create a cosy atmosphere. A darker colour and Angle-poise feature lights were then introduced within the central remaining ceiling void to create a more enclosed atmosphere. The fittings were specified to convey the sense of Britishness of the brand.
Oak furniture, including the panelled banquet seating and bar counter front, were designed to compliment a chair sourced by Lucy Tauber specifically to represent the brand’s natural, but square, product. Red, mustard yellow and natural table tops were introduced to again accent the cheery nature of the brand, and add a sense of character.