Mikella Braganza
Focused on creating immersive designs, I believe good design has the ability to enhance our experiences. Analytically focused, I love considering the minute details of a project. My professional interests are hospitality and retail-focused. Additionally, I have a passion for cooking and baking which I grew into a small business for custom cakes & desserts.
Project Overview
Assembly Chefs Food hall is a food-based retail facility that connects multiple platforms to create a multidimensional food experience. Revolving around creating a new model for the food retail industry, its main goals are to be a flexible, rentable and ultimately self-sustaining community space that links local businesses with the existing bustling Queen West neighbourhood. The main design challenge was to create interchangeable retail spaces that were adaptable to changing vendor needs while still being a brick and mortar facility that sustains and promotes small businesses within a competitive market.
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Facility's 5 Points of Interest.
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Conceptual Design Language.
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Conceptual Exploration AXO Overlay.
Concept/Design Process
Through the design research portion of the project, I found a lack of scholarly-based research that linked small businesses to design elements to create a functional and sustainable business model. Based on my research I introduced 5 Points of Interest (refer to image 1) centred on evidence-based design. This was then developed into a design language that is echoed throughout the facility through architectural, macro and micro details (refer to image 2). The design language is then applied to the plan in 3D to ensure that the 5 points of interest are located throughout the facility (refer to image 3)
Site Plan/Floor Plan(s)
Keeping in mind the design language of Flexibility, Intertwine and Connection the plan reflects the concept with major interaction points located within the overlaps. Indicative of the neighbourhood it is located in, the facility applies the idea of interstitial spaces that extends the natural connectivity within the existing community to the vendors and the building itself. The self-sustaining nature of the facility relies on the retail, community and staff space offerings in order to maintain a promotional and sustainable business experience.
Main retail offerings include the Vendor Open Bar, Vendor stalls (Traditional & Open to Kitchen), Vendor Market, Non-Dedicated Retail and a Pick-Up and Delivery Zone. Community spaces are located throughout the facility. Lastly, Staff spaces include the Rentable Communal Kitchen, Packaging Area (outfitted with commercial equipment), the Co-Working Zone, and Rentable Storage.
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Floor Plans.
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Floor Plans with Conceptual Exploration.
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Vendor Open Bar: Quadrants for separate vendors & a cantilevered countertop for ADA seating.
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Vendor Stalls: Flexibility through customizable signage options, food displays and community engagement branding board.
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Flex Seating & Atrium: Barrisol ceiling for artificial skylight & interchangeable ceiling hung art displays.
3D Views
As a hub of interaction, the colour and materials pallet is kept neutral, playing with lighting, texture and details. Texture can be seen through the limewash paint finish located throughout and the textured plaster counter faces. Details include a polished copper uplight fixture that shines light upwards which is then reflected casting an ambient glow (refer to image 1). In the (traditional) Vendor Stalls, countertops are lowered to offer counter displays that fit the needs of the vendor using the stall.
Additionally, wayfinding is integrated through the use of lightbox signage with a laser-cut interchangeable face (refer to image 2). The Flex. seating area is centrally located and offers flexible seating options for any events the facility may host, located in the center is a custom feature wood and glass staircase (refer to image 3) (a better view of the staircase can be seen in the video below)
Video/Poster
Assembly Chef’s Food Hall, It’s more than just enjoying food, it’s a multidimensional food experience. Come explore it for yourself as you are guided through the multiple vendor retail and community space offerings. Starting with the Main Entry which transitions to the Vendor Open Bar, Flex. Seating Area, Vendor Stalls, Indoor/Outdoor Seating Area, Feature Staircase and back to the Flex. Seating and Vendor Market.
Come enjoy a redefined food experience at Assembly Chef's Food Hall.
