Nutrilicious,

No. 1 Deansgate, Manchester

Client: Nutrilicious Limited
Contractors: Construction UK
Completion: December 2002

The project is located in the prestigious Crosby Homes No 1 Deansgate building in the heart of Manchester, designed by Ian Simpson Architects.

This restaurant, hopefully the first of a chain for the company, is centred around the idea of providing tasty yet healthy food. The food is linked to the Weight Watchers points system and the Body Mass Index system. Customers are encouraged to discreetly weigh themselves and check their BMI before ordering.

The design provides a series of fridges for take away sandwiches etc, whilst the kitchen at the rear offers hot food and sandwiches. The remainder of the space is utilised for different types of seating such as perching stools and high tables.

...a key design feature of the space is a brand orientated orange wave...

The key design feature of the space is a brand orientated orange wave which leads customers from the point of entry towards the counter, whilst in plan, the curved wall of fridges helps to determine the critical circulation flow.

As the site is well located next to much of the new developments in Manchester such as Selfridges and Harvey Nicholls, the design is also very much concerned with views into the building for passing pedestrians and traffic with a view to encouraging them to visit.

Apart from the corporate orange, the design features a simple palette of materials such as a maple timber floor, white walls, brushed aluminium, and occasional colourful super graphics.

The project was initially developed with the University of Salford, and The University of Central England's Interior Design schools who ran separate design ideas competitions.

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