Braai Bar: Embracing Soft Industrial Trends
Project Name:
Braai Bar
Location:
Stratford, Ontario
Sector:
Entertainment - Commercial (Restaurant/Bar)
Year Complete:
2019
Sq.ft:
4673 sqft
Project Team:
Emily Wunder, Interior Designer
Products:
7/8” Corrugated
Colour:
Burgundy
Braai Bar, the downstairs neighbor of Braai House, is an authentic South African barbeque restaurant steps away from the heart of downtown Stratford. When the owners of Braai House wanted to grow their space to the lower level, they enlisted Emily Wunder (Interior Designer) to capture their vision.
Emily knew the space needed to feel connected to the restaurant while establishing its own distinct atmosphere, Emily Wunder Interior Design. The challenge was that the project needed to be completed in three weeks to be operational for the holiday season, naturally creating time and budget limitations. She envisioned the bar as a deep, rich, maroon burgundy that stood out while complimenting the shiny counter, and exposed pipes and beams that already existed in space.
Inspired by Art Deco colours and architecture, Emily “prioritized choosing finishes, colour, and lighting that would compliment the existing elements”, and fit with the new colour palette of Braai Bar. Originally, Emily thought wood fluting would be a good fit but was concerned with the durability of wood on a bar. Vicwest corrugated steel delivered a versatile interior application, offering the durability and texture needed for a high-traffic hospitality environment while serving as an alternative to traditional tile.
Vicwest’s extensive selection of finishes allowed Emily to incorporate the bar’s new colour palette to create a cohesive Art Deco-inspired aesthetic. As a local manufacturer, Vicwest’s short lead time also helped the design team meet the project’s completion date.
We asked Emily why she ultimately chose Vicwest’s corrugated steel for this project? She replied, “My contractor suggested Vicwest. They had all sorts of powder-coated finishes, so we looked at the color swatches, and I chose this really beautiful burgundy color”. Additionally, the flexibility of corrugated metal allowed for a curved bar front (instead of a square), “The corrugated metal was flexible enough that we could wrap it around the front of the bar in any shape we wanted.”
“I knew this restaurant space needed to be durable and hold its colour while remaining functional. I like to use different elements, textures, and materials, in my designs and I wanted it to look interesting. Being a local manufacturer with such a wide range of colour options made it easy to choose Vicwest”, Emily Wunder.
Vicwest’s corrugated steel served both a functional and aesthetic purpose in the space. Its durability and low maintenance qualities made it an exceptional option for a high-traffic environment like a bar or restaurant. With a unique wave-like appearance and wide range of colour options, the designer accomplished a distinctive interior that complemented the space’s Art Deco influences and South African-inspired identity.
