Kassaba Restaurant

By Imagine Architecture

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Project Description:

The space which is now Kassaba has had a few incarnations as a restaurant overs the years and was found in a poor state of repair. The owner commissioned Imagine Building Design to transform the interior into a Mediterranean themed restaurant complete with a new kitchen. A key requirement was an increase in the seating provided as previous restaurants had struggled to accommodate sufficient patrons thus limiting trade, especially through peak times.

The décor is North African in style with a strong influence of Tunisian architecture. The concept proposed needed to be dramatic as the building was not on the traditional restaurant strip so it had to create a buzz via the design and the cuisine.  The atmosphere needed to feel authentic and memorable. The existing features retained included the gas fire housed in the original cottage chimney, the original timber mouldings & windows and the beautiful kauri floor. The project was successfully carried out on a very tight budget and timeframe.

The success of the restaurant is already evident with rave reviews being received on both the décor and the diverse Mediterranean menu. Many customers have expressed their amazement at how the place has been be transformed.

Design Features and Creative Solution:

The plan solution was driven by the need for an increase in seating to over 50. To achieve this a reorganisation of spaces was needed starting with the removal of the large inefficient existing kitchen. The space left behind was transformed into additional dining and now the restaurant seats 56. Freeing up space out front then required a clever, more compact new kitchen out the back. To ensure the new kitchen performed careful consideration was given to the number of staff, their roles and their movements. The outcome has been a great success with the kitchen comfortably coping with a full evening service.

The colour palette is bold traditional Tunisian. The new Islamic styled arches were carefully researched for scale and proportion. The wallpaper on the arches was chosen to represent the detailed timber latticework often found in North African architecture. The arch details are repeated with new bar design. The strongly detailed bar is carefully positioned as the link between the kitchen and the dining room. The retained kauri floor fits in perfectly with the scheme and the aged appearance tells the story of the buildings past.

The light fittings and wall sconces were sourced from Morocco. They are authentic handmade punched tin fixtures which cast a dappled light to the room.  Dimmable halogen downlights provide the balance of lighting from the dark painted timber ceiling. The décor is completed by the arrangement of ornamental hookah pipes in the central wall recesses and the use of Mediterranean artwork.  

Imagine Architecture
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Kassaba Restaurant
Kassaba Restaurant
Kassaba Restaurant
Kassaba Restaurant
Kassaba Restaurant
Kassaba Restaurant

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Kassaba Restaurant

Imagine Architecture
Imagine Architecture
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About the
Professional

Imagine Architecture (formally Imagine Building Design) is a multi-award winning architectural design practice that has been in business since 2002 with specialist expertise in Residential and Commercial design. Our practice has evolved through many iterations over the years. From starting in a shoebox home office, to growing into occupying historic premises at the Kings Building in New Plymouth, then to a sleek downtown high street practice. We have now gone back to our roots with small studio setups for Tony Biesiek out of Think Co in Tauranga and Steven Dixon in New Plymouth.

​“Changing lives through great architecture & design”. That is the mission of Imagine Architecture. Since 2002, we have sought to infuse that mission into every project. Our designs are for high performance buildings that change lives. To achieve this, we combine aesthetics & energy efficiency with comfort & architectural appeal, function & use of space with quality interaction with the environment.

​This approach is applied across all our projects irrespective of size or budget. We believe there is opportunity in every project to make better choices. This is accomplished thanks to better decision making to improve the quality of the space experienced by its occupants. Merely meeting minimum building code requirements is not enough. Exceeding minimums is the key to better buildings, be they new architectural homes or commercial structures. Optimum performance ahead of minimum compliance every time. Architecture with attitude!

​Imagine Architecture aspires to uphold the Pritzker Architecture Prizewinner Glenn Murcutt’s ideal: ‘to touch the earth lightly’. This means we look at how nature has crafted the environment to this point in time, and form our design in relationship to that. For example, we have sculpted designs to the land, rather than the land to the design. Nature has brought us those spaces, so we strive to design structures to be harmonious with that nature. As custodians we seek to protect the environment through diligent stewardship and utilisation of the best high performance technology.

​Our experience in over 1000 commissions to date is wide and diverse. In addition to servicing Bay of Plenty and Taranaki, we have commissions throughout New Zealand and have projects in Australia and Italy. In this modern age, geography is no barrier to delivering architectural excellence. The Imagine Architecture team's track record shows an ability to adapt quickly to client changes, government legislation and technical site situations. We have specialist experience in:

​Residential homes and renovations

  • Sustainable and Energy Efficient architecture
  • Recreation & Parks facilities
  • Apartments & Townhouses
  • Mobility design and disabled access
  • Retirement homes
  • Gymnasia
  • Schools & ECE
  • Property development & investment units
  • Industrial facilities
  • Restaurant and retail design
  • Shipping Container buildings
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Motels and Motor Lodges

​Imagine Architecture promotes itself on the principle of “relationship marketing”. A large number of commissions come to Imagine Architecture by way of referrals from existing clients. This method of marketing reflects our philosophy of creating quality relationships with clients. This is achieved by friendly, clear and up front communication matched with a quality design service that meets the aesthetic, functional & financial requirements of the client.​

​Imagine Architecture is the experienced team to use if you are looking for innovative design that respects the environment, quality technical documentation, superior service through excellent communication.