Before & After: Toribox Taft

When Toribox (one of my first commercial projects) told me that they are planning to expand & relocate their Taft branch restaurant, I was really excited! Since DLSU is my alma mater, I really wanted to do something that current Lasallians would enjoy hanging out - a cozy, quirky, kpop place :) But this time, the owners requested for a "fast-food" type, very simple that students would order, eat, and go. 

BEFORE 

This was the facade when i first visited the place, its good that its plain & white, easier to manage :)

Since we wanted to keep the look "minimal" as much as possible, I decided to play with the textures, and use corrugated aluminum cladding for the walls.

AFTER  

Also added greens in the exterior to lessen the stiffness of the space and allow students to smoke less, since this area/ street is where most students go for their yosi breaks.

 

BEFORE 

The interior wasn't that bad to begin with, I already love that it has brick walls and as much as I wanted to keep these windows and imagine this place to be cozy,  I have to let them go. Our goal is - fast food.

 

  

To keep similarity originally found in the San Juan branch, I infused the same chairs and exposed bulbs in the interior with the minimalist industrial look found in the facade. Also added blackboard walls to contrast the all-white interior.

DURING

AFTER  

To keep it young & fresh, I asked a friend of mine to draw doodles on the black walls and mirrors. And since the food posters hasn't come out yet last time I visited, I hanged some pictures first to lessen the bare-ness :)

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

so there. I had fun doing this, and I think doing restaurant interiors is one of my favorite :)

Projects: Retail. Shoes.

This is for my client who wants a store that is timeless, classy, and girly all at the same time - for her brand Chesca, who has been distributing shoes for years, re-branding.

I decided to mute the color of the interior since i want the products to pop-out more and added a small dose of pinkness to balance the masculinity of the brick wall and exposed tubed chandeliers. The furniture and accessories are more dated/ classic since my client is not into exposed ceiling but she likes the feel of rustic finishes so i added that to some of the furniture.

We're hoping to open next week... This was the approved perspective, but so far some changes had already occurred - which is why i'm both nervous and excited! So 'til then, will keep you posted :)

3D and rendering by yours truly <3

Sweet Pink

Did you know?

Pink calms and reassures our emotional energies, alleviating feelings of anger, aggression, resentment, abandonment and neglect. Studies have confirmed that exposure to large amounts of pink can have a calming effect on the nerves and create physical weakness in people. Violent and aggressive prisoners have been successfully calmed by placing them in a pink room for a specified amount of time. Exposure for too long can have the opposite effect.

Yes, i just googled that to make a point. lol

My mind's a little cluttery right now... i know, i need to

R

E

L

A

X

and think PINK.

the result therefore in my new finished perspective is this:

*fingers crossed*

xoxo

xoxo . posted through blogpress . http://pinterest.com/cpamz/

Toribox Cafe

In a nutshell, here's some photos of one of my recent project - TORIBOX CAFE - which is located at 403 F. Calderon Cor. J Abad Santos San Juan City (beside Piandre).

TORIBOX CAFE, SAN JUAN. 

{Ground Floor}

{Second Floor} 

It's an Asian-inspired coffee shop which is famous around Taft area (beside DLSU) for their Karaage pops and Katsu's :)

Other Post

TORIBOX CAFE: SAN JUAN

hi! :) remember about this space i wrote about before? well thankfully, after going through a lot of mishaps - from working permits, to contractors, and un-forseen events - it's finally almost DONE! and expect it to be OPEN anytime soon! *psyched* 

here's the lighting fixture (exposed bulbs)
that i had been obsessing about forever! lol

 

though most people think that designing spaces is a no-sweat job, REALITY proves otherwise. we were really disappointed with the contractor we hired for this project... but since i'm feeling optimistic right now, i guess i have to say - we have take it from experience! and i'm still thankful for the blessing of being able to finish it - not precisely what i imagined it to be 100% - but as our mentors had always taught & reminded us: we should learn to adapt with the circumstances & adjust our expectations, then i guess its okay.

and since i'm really awful with the updates & gathering photos... i'll just have to share with you photos i had from my instagram : @cpamz for now :)

 the brick wall corner :) and bottom picture of me doing it.

 

and some teaser of the stairs and niche wall from the ground floor.

i don't know, but i'm still excited about everything! :)

TORIBOX has its first branch at: 2/F One Archer's Place, Taft Ave Ermita, Manila beside DLSU. Its best known for their really good Japanese Karaage pops! :)

TORIBOX CAFE, SAN JUAN. 

Beside Piandre, 403 F. Calderon Cor. J Abad Santos San Juan City

  

Bright & Funky Loft

While i had been obsessing on monotone, masculine, and industrial loft, i must say, this color palette looks amazing! :) wouldn't mind turning my office like this - the pop of colors are just oozing with "happiness" :)




xoxo . posted through blogpress . http://pinterest.com/

Projects Progress. the RestoBar

so i have been working on this project for quite some time now, and construction will start as soon as the holiday has finished :)

Reality is, you can squeeze your brain out every time you have to design for something but you also have to consider the (1) Budget (2) Market (3) Period of Lease (4) Maximum Capacity (5) Kitchen Space (6) Food/Drinks that will be served etc. etc. so restraining one's self should be observed.

Initially, we had to go Modern + Minimalist since the idea was to mix Asian + Western (Burgers +Milk Tea + Beer at night) so I had this in mind...

 

Moodboard: White Brick walls, Cement finish, Oak Wood, Tom Dixon inspired drop lights, and suspended bulbs...

And another option with the flooring and walls...

  

And here was the Layout...

I was already excited with the execution of the design, but after some thoughts the partners decided to skip with the "Milk Tea" and go straight with "Burgers + Bar + Beer". So I have to revise everything again (STRESS- was already done with the elevations, rcp, and shop drawings, but ohwell :)

and this is what we have agreed upon to :)

 

Some items were retained, but the furniture went from Modern to Masculine. Also the ambiance got a little rustic and old-feel. While the suspended light accents MUST stay :)

 

Then Option 2 without the divider between the bar and booth seat :)

I'm already excited with the outcome of this project :)  But after meeting with the contractors and clients again, we have to expect some changes... cost-wise. But anyway, I hope its nothing major, and I hope it would still look great with the revisions of materials and some layouts they were suggesting. But as always, whatever the client says, stays.

but for now, i have to enjoy the Holiday and will keep you posted :)

Happy New Year Everyone :)

French WIndow Dividers

photo: houzz