Pho Toronto Restaurant's design in Canada is one of the standout international projects that KenDesign has had the opportunity to undertake. Here, each detail in the design embodies the essence of old Vietnam, harmoniously combined with modern style to create a space that is both familiar and captivating. Designing a pho restaurant abroad, especially in developed countries like Canada, is a journey that requires recreating the culture and spirit of one’s homeland in a foreign land. In the article below, we will describe this project in the most detailed way possible.
Current Site Conditions
Pho Toronto Restaurant is located in a space previously occupied by another restaurant, with a modest area of only about 65m² in Canada. This requires the design team to rearrange the space to maximize its use. With such a small space, the arrangement of tables and chairs, service counters, kitchen area, and walkways demands meticulousness and creativity to optimize functionality while maintaining aesthetics.
The small area requires flexible and smart interior design. Dining and service areas are reasonably divided, allowing customers to feel comfortable while enjoying their meal without feeling constrained. The seating system is arranged neatly so that each customer has a private space but is still close enough for easy connection with others.
Challenges Encountered During Implementation in Canada
Designing a pho restaurant abroad, especially in Canada, comes with many challenges ranging from construction and safety regulations to adapting to the local cultural environment. One of the biggest challenges is meeting hygiene, safety, and environmental standards, which may differ significantly from those in Vietnam. Planning for the construction site, installing lighting, ventilation, and fire prevention systems all require careful preparation and compliance with local standards.
Moreover, Canada’s cold weather also affects the choice of materials and the design of the space. To maintain a warm and inviting atmosphere, materials and colors need to be carefully selected to create a cozy ambiance for customers, especially during harsh winter months.
Inspiring with East Asian Beauty in the West
The owner of Pho Toronto Restaurant aims to recreate the image of old Vietnam right in the heart of the West. To achieve this, the design team drew inspiration from Retro and Industrial styles. The Retro style evokes a nostalgic, familiar image of Vietnam, while the Industrial style adds a bit of modernity and industry, softening the vintage look while retaining the necessary rustic charm.
In this space, each detail, from wall sections and artwork to decorative items, is carefully chosen to evoke memories of Vietnam. Landscape paintings, countryside scenes, and depictions of everyday life are hung on the walls, as a way of recreating the familiar life of Vietnamese people in the past.
Rustic Interior Materials
One of the highlights of Pho Toronto Restaurant's design in Canada is the use of rustic materials like wood and patterned cement tiles, which are familiar materials in traditional Vietnamese architecture. The tables and chairs are made from natural wood, minimally processed to retain a raw, natural look. The wooden tables are squared off, and the chairs have simple leather cushions, offering comfort while optimizing space.
The floor is laid with patterned cement tiles in traditional designs, creating a striking focal point within the overall space. The cement tiles are not only aesthetically pleasing but also evoke nostalgia for the old Vietnamese houses. The combination of wood and patterned cement tiles brings harmony, simplicity, and elegance, adding sophistication and warmth to the restaurant.
Decorations that Embody Old Vietnam
Decorations play an essential role in defining the identity of Pho Toronto Restaurant. To bring a Vietnamese character to the space, the design team incorporated elements like woven bamboo for the ceiling, bamboo screens, and classic paintings hung around the restaurant. These paintings are not only focal points but also recall Vietnamese culture, lifestyle, and people.
Simple iron-framed windows with subtle patterns, often used in traditional Vietnamese houses, are used to partition areas within the restaurant. These elements not only add aesthetic value but also provide ventilation and openness to the space. Woven bamboo is one of the standout materials, not only for decoration but also to soften the space, creating a pleasant feeling for customers while dining.
Standout Lighting
Lighting is also a key factor in creating a warm and intimate atmosphere for the restaurant. The lighting system is designed to emphasize decorative details as well as highlight the dining area. Warm lights over each dining table create a cozy ambiance and provide a unique highlight for each small space. Soft yellow lighting is also used to give customers a sense of closeness and comfort.
Notably, lighting is directed to focus on important decorative elements, such as paintings or distinctive interior materials. Proper lighting not only enhances the space but also adds appeal and leaves an impression on diners.
The Color Scheme of Nostalgia in Pho Toronto Restaurant's Design in Canada
The primary color scheme of Pho Toronto Restaurant in Canada consists of warm, muted tones, evoking the image of old Vietnamese houses. Shades of wood brown, deep red, and gray-blue are harmoniously combined, creating a space that is both nostalgic and slightly modern to suit Western design trends.
The walls are painted in darker shades, paired with the colors of wooden furniture and patterned cement tiles, creating a calm and warm atmosphere. The color scheme not only evokes a sense of nostalgia but also makes customers feel close and familiar, giving them a sense of being in Vietnam. This is one of the essential elements that attract not only the Vietnamese community but also international customers.
Pho Toronto Restaurant's design in Canada is a clear example of the harmonious combination of Vietnamese culture with a touch of Western style. Every detail, from rustic interior materials and Vietnamese-inspired decorations to lighting and color scheme, is carefully curated to bring a unique space where overseas Vietnamese can find an image of their homeland right in the heart of the West.
