Lighting, Layout, and Lasting Impressions in Hospitality Design
Wines
Restaurant Owner
Industry Insights
By: Wines
Suzan Wines, co-founder of I-Beam Design, shares her expertise in crafting memorable restaurant spaces that seamlessly blend aesthetics and functionality. Drawing on her work with renowned venues like Macao Trading Company, Suzan explores the key elements of successful hospitality design: creating immersive lighting, optimizing layouts for flow and function, and aligning design with brand identity. This series provides practical insights and design philosophies that help restaurateurs and hospitality professionals transform their spaces into unforgettable dining destinations that captivate guests and drive success.
Episode 1: The Hidden Design Behind Dining: Creating a Complete Restaurant Experience for Success
Suzan Wines introduces her approach to creating immersive and memorable dining spaces. She takes us to Macao Trading Company, a restaurant inspired by the rich and illicit history of Macao's 1930s portside warehouses, blending African, Portuguese, and Chinese influences. Suzan explains how her design principles transform a restaurant's concept into a cohesive experience, highlighting the role of architecture in complementing exceptional food, cocktails, and service. From the mystique of Macao’s hidden facade to the intricate interior details evoking opium dens and gambling havens, this episode showcases how thoughtful design elements can immerse guests in a distinct place and time, setting the stage for restaurant success.
Episode 2: The Architecture of Ambiance: Creating Bars for Social Flow and Lasting Appeal
Suzan Wines explores how lighting and layout shape the bar experience at Macao Trading Company. Designed as the social core of the restaurant, the bar is crafted to maximize both atmosphere and efficiency. From a flickering, candlelit liquor wall to a tightly planned back-of-bar station, every element enhances both guest engagement and staff workflow. Suzan explains how collaboration with bartenders, strategic lighting, and a curved bar design elevate the space into a dynamic and profitable centerpiece.
Episode 3: The Architecture of Dining: Creating Seamless Transitions
Suzan Wines explains how spatial flow and layered design create a dynamic dining experience at Macao Trading Company. The restaurant is divided into three distinct areas: a lively cocktail bar, a refined dining space, and an underground Opium Den lounge. Each is tailored with unique lighting, acoustics, and ambiance while maintaining visual and narrative cohesion. Suzan walks us through how transitional elements—like mezzanine placement, guest seating during wait times, and strategic service stations—help maintain energy and comfort throughout the guest journey. The episode also explores how key décor decisions, such as handmade nautical lights and cricket cage motifs, reinforce Macao’s cultural inspiration and enhance its immersive storytelling.
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