VSAG on Transparency: Top 3 Tips for Designing an Open Concept

Miriam Webster defines “transparent” as: able to be seen through, easy to notice or understand, honest and open, not secretive.

What better way to welcome your guests and have them connect with your space the minute they walk through the door, then with the transparency of an open design concept?

While it may not be your style to put your full restaurant on display, carving out specific areas where guests can get a great view of your team and their culinary skills (i.e. a portion of your kitchen or a dessert station), is great for the business of transparency. Bonus: it’s sure to keep you, your management team, and entire staff on high alert for cleanliness, order, and the highest standards of professionalism.

Our in-house Vice President, Lara Hardcastle, is the perfect go to for this topic as she spearheads all concept implementation for our clients. Giving them the direction, support, and creativity they need to make their visions a reality.

Here are Lara’s top three tips for designing an open concept, and the benefits they offer.

1) The open-design trend is a great way for restaurants to showcase their culinary authenticity and commitment to quality. In our designs, we embrace open concepts in order to show guests that operators literally have nothing to hide. For instance, when creating design concepts for client’s Founding Farmers, we’ve incorporated open bar concepts and dessert studios within full guest view. The wonderful aromas of desserts baking, pour-over coffee brewing, and the allure of watching craft cocktails being made activate the senses and create distinct spatial personalities, while showcasing staff and promoting guest-staff interaction and connectivity. All creating a unique experience and memory for the guest.

2) An open concept also elevates a restaurant’s social environment. As restaurateurs, we want nothing more than for guests to gather and enjoy their time spent within our establishment. Thus, having a restaurant’s open areas adjacent and visible within the complete space allows guests to have an intimate experience yet still feel like they’re connected to the overall energy of their surroundings. And, it also makes for fantastic people watching – and even better, one of our favorite pastimes, people meeting!

3) Lastly, open concepts elevate service. Chefs take pride in their work and what they do. As they should. By creating an open environment and making guests visible to the staff, you promote a team environment where caring for the needs of the guest is the ultimate priority.

SbreijoFFmenuShoot 073*open concept design, featuring dessert studio in background at MoCo’s Founding Farmers.