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    Neon lighting illuminates Strip Joint Chicken by Amanda Hamilton

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    Canadian studio Amanda Hamilton Interior Design has used bold colour-blocking and neon lighting to give this Calgary chicken shop a “1990s meets Memphis” feel.

    Strip Joint Chicken in the city’s East Village neighbourhood is a fast-casual restaurant that serves “chicken fingers with a twist”.
    A dark entrance vestibule sets the tone for Strip Joint Chicken’s dining space beyondThe brand is fun, playful and cheeky, so the interiors of its 2,200-square-foot (204-square-metre) space needed to reflect this.
    Working with a return client, Amanda Hamilton Interior Design leant fully into the “offbeat” concept, creating an elevated interpretation of a seedy bar or nightclub that founder Amanda Hamilton described as “1990s meets Memphis”.
    A trio of colourful stripes is used to guide customers to the ordering area, and also spells out the brand’s name on the wall”At times subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) design elements take a nod (or a big ol’ bow) playing to the restaurant’s name,” said the designer. “In a market saturated with options for fast casual, standing out was key.”

    The main entrance vestibule is painted midnight blue and illuminated by vertical bands of neon lighting that connect wall-to-wall across the ceiling. This immersive passageway sets the tone for the main dining area, which is similarly lit with neon.
    Tangles of fluorescent-blue neon tubes are suspended above the service counterTangled fluorescent-blue tubes are positioned above the bar and service counter, while pink and yellow glow from LED strips within large colour-blocked arches that accommodate built-in seating for a row of dining tables.
    “Coloured lighting is used extensively to feature architectural details, enhance volumetric space, ground the bar and highlight seating areas,” Hamilton said.
    LED strips illuminate colour-blocked arched niches, which accommodate bench seatingPart of a larger retail space that was divided into four units, the chicken shop is accessible from both sides of the building.
    Therefore, close attention was paid to the flow of people through the space, and wayfinding tools were implemented to assist both dine-in and take-out customers.
    The arched niches provide space for dine-in guests to enjoy their chicken out the way of take-out customersA trio of thin, coloured stripes are inlaid across floors to guide hungry patrons to the ordering area.
    The same triple-line motif spells out the brand’s name in large letters across a wall, above a pink scallop-topped bench accompanied by small tables and terrazzo stools.

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    Custom-designed feathery wallpaper adorns the back of the central arch and inside the “tender neutral” bathrooms, which are tucked behind bright pink doors.
    For guests wishing to stay longer, a private dining area named the Hens Den is obscured from view by gauzy drapery.
    Custom feathery wallpaper adorns the bathroom interiorsThis monochromatic room features a brass pole in the centre of its dining table, around which a lazy susan for sharing food rotates.
    “As an extension of the space, the predominately custom furniture is equal parts playful and sculptural, creating a conversation-worthy addition to the space,” Hamilton said.
    Located behind bright pink doors, the bathrooms are designated as “tender neutral”The designer founded her eponymous studio in Calgary, where she’s based, and also operates a second location out of Vancouver.
    A trend for bright psychedelia in hospitality and entertainment spaces has been gaining pace recently, with other examples found in Seattle’s Supernova nightclub and the Resonant Head music venue in Oklahoma City.
    The photography is by Joel Klassen.

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      Studio North adds plywood barrel vaults to Business & Pleasure bar in Calgary

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      A barrel-vaulted ceiling covers this cosy cocktail bar in Calgary, Alberta which locally based Studio North designed as a contemporary take on a speakeasy.

      Business & Pleasure is tucked away between historic brick buildings on a back lane in the Canadian city’s Inglewood neighbourhood, just a few blocks from Studio North’s office space.
      A vaulted plywood ceiling contrasts with the black interior of the bar”The location and scale of the Business & Pleasure bar space immediately reference visions of the iconically intimate and secluded speakeasy from last century,” said lead designers Damon Hayes Couture and Hayden Pattullo.
      “However, this transformation sought to recreate the speakeasy’s quaint and classic qualities using contemporary methods of parametric design, digital fabrication, and material experimentation.”
      The fir plywood is CNC cut to allow it to bendHidden at the back of a cafe, Studio North’s take on prohibition-era drinking establishments features a dark interior, with many of the furniture pieces and surfaces in black.

      In contrast, fir plywood is shaped into barrel vaults of different widths that run the length of the narrow 350-square-foot (32.5-square-metre) space.
      Vaults of different widths run the length the ceilingThe material is kerfed to allow it to bend, forming a cut-out pattern that adds a translucent quality to the wood.
      “Like clouds, the geometry and pattern vary slightly throughout the room to create unique areas and experiences of moving through it,” said Studio North.
      Paper lanterns hang from the wood vaults, which are suspended from steel ribsThe vaults are suspended from a series of steel ribs, and some panels are held in place with magnets – a system that Studio North prototyped at 1:1 scale and built in-house.
      Parametric modelling and computer numerically controlled (CNC) cutting were used to produce the desired effect.

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      “The pattern of the ceiling kerfing changes using a parametric image map to add and subtract bridge tabs, creating more grid interruption around the seated areas,” the designers said.
      In places, the plywood extends down from the ceiling onto the walls, forming panels that touch the tabletops and shelving in recesses.
      A custom black barn door separates the bar from a cafe at the frontThe same material forms a custom barn door separating the cafe from the bar, which is painted black and allows guests a peek at the back space through the thin vertical gaps.
      Globe-shaped paper lanterns hand from the ceiling to bathe the space in a warm, ambient glow.
      The bar is designed to evoke speakeasies from a century agoArtworks and a selection of vintage items are displayed on the walls and shelves, connecting the contemporary interior to the heyday of speakeasies.
      Studio North is a design-build studio that more commonly works on residential projects, such as a laneway house in Calgary that the team outfitted with a dog nook and a fireman’s pole.
      The photography is by Hayden Pattullo and Damon Hayes Couture.

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      Frank Architecture recalls 1960s glamour at Major Tom bar in Calgary

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      Rich colours and leather upholstery feature in this Calgary bar and restaurant that Canadian studio Frank Architecture based on author Truman Capote.

      Major Tom is located on the 40th floor of Stephen Avenue Place in Downtown Calgary, affording it panoramic views of the city, the Canadian prairies and the Rocky Mountains beyond.
      The bar counter at Major Tom in Calgary is inlaid with marbled stoneLocal firm Frank Architecture used design details influenced by the 1960s for the interiors, with American novelist Truman Capote also acting as a muse.
      “Known for his biting humour, quick wit, deep insights, and ability to party harder than anyone else; [Capote] was a gourmand, a bon vivant, a savant, and he captured the voice of the era perfectly,” said the studio. “Major Tom is at once elevated and approachable, playful and at ease, confident and gracious.”
      The lounge area is decorated with dark grey and russet tonesWith the views taking a prominent role, the approach to the interior design is sophisticated and restrained.

      Facing the windows, the bar counter front is inlaid with strips of marbled stone. Behind, thin gridded shelving stores and subtly illuminates the liquor bottles.
      Leather chairs accompany dining tablesAlong the glazed facade stretches a black tufted leather bench, which sits low to avoid obstructing the view.
      Two-top stone tables and rust-coloured armchairs follow the bench parallel to the bar, leading to a lounge area with dark grey and russet decor.

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      “The lounge is sexy and mysterious,” said Frank Architecture. “Plush bespoke seating, rich tones, warm leathers, and dark wood lure you in for cocktails and conversations.”
      On the other side of the bar, dining space for larger parties features leather chairs paired with wood-topped tables.
      A library wall displays books and small objects in softly lit alcovesA library wall at the back displays assorted books and objects within softly lit alcoves.
      The cast concrete ceilings of the 1970s tower are left exposed, with amber-toned mirrors and cove lighting installed within the raised trays.
      Guests enjoy views of the city from the 40th floorLow lighting, bold artworks and dark colours throughout all add to a mood and atmosphere that evokes the glamour of the 1960s.
      Frank Architecture is based in Calgary, and also designed the interiors for Japanese noodle bar Lonely Mouth in the city.
      The photography is by Chris Amat.

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      Frank Architecture creates intimate setting for Calgary's Lonely Mouth noodle bar

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      Canadian studio Frank Architecture has designed a Japanese restaurant in Calgary where wood panelling, low lighting and corduroy-upholstered chairs all contribute to a cosy atmosphere.

      The Lonely Mouth bar and restaurant is named in reference to the Japanese concept of kuchisabishii, which means “when you’re not hungry, but you eat because your mouth is lonely”.
      A screen of wooden dowels divides the bar and restaurants areas at Lonely MouthFound at the eastern end of Calgary’s 17 Avenue commercial strip, only a few blocks from Frank Architecture’s studio in the city, the bar serves udon made in-house and boasts an extensive sake selection.
      “Lonely Mouth is a place where tradition meets innovation,” said the team at Frank Architecture. “They offer a carefree and interactive dining experience, featuring a dynamic and playful menu with modern and energetic flavours.”
      Wood panelling lines the rooms above built-in banquette seatingFor the interiors, the designers chose a warm palette of green and brown tones, along with textured plaster and soft upholstery to create an intimate atmosphere.

      “Inspired by Japanese minimalism, the interior takes a ‘less is more’ approach,” the team said. “The design is very restrained.”
      A trio of spherical lights hang above the central row of tablesA screen of wooden dowels divides the bar and dining spaces, adding to the sense of intimacy. The restaurant’s noodle maker can be seen working in the bar area, allowing guests to watch their food being prepared.
      Shelving behind the bar, which displays the sake collection, was built using wood salvaged during the renovation of the space.
      Green and blue upholstery complements the warm wood tonesAlong the sides of the main dining area runs built-in seating with blue-fabric backs.
      Wood panelling above is decorated with works by local artists Rhys Douglas Farrell, and Harry Kiyooka, who died aged 94 earlier this month.

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      Wooden tables form rows beside the banquettes, with an additional line through the middle of the room.
      Diners at these central tables sit on chairs covered in brown velvet corduroy, while other seats are upholstered in green fabric.
      Sake is displayed on repurposed shelves behind the barA trio of spherical, paper pendant lamps cast a dim glow into the restaurant, assisted by spotlights, fringed table lamps and candles in setting the mood.
      “Light levels are dimmed and offer a soft, even glow to diners,” the team said.
      Textured plaster walls and fringed artworks are found near the entranceFrank Architecture was established in 2009 by principals Kelly Morrison, Kate Allen and Kristen Lien.
      Along with Calgary, the firm has an office in Banff and was longlisted for interior design studio of the year at the 2021 Dezeen Awards.
      The photography is by Chris Amat.

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