Westfield Chatswood
Project Year – 2018
As a successful hot-pot restaurant chain with over 300 restaurants in China, Haidilao were keen to expand into Australia with a space that reflected their values.
Haidilao are known for their exceptional customer service, going far beyond what is normally expected in a restaurant environment. Think massages and manicures and you get an idea of the extraordinary lengths this restaurant will go to keep their customers entertained while waiting for a table. This was an important consideration for our designers at Dreamscapes.
When we met, Haidilao didn’t want to risk a new design for this new market but needed a fresh interpretation of their signature look for the Australian audience.
A family-friendly environment was central to the interior plan, but this needed to be balanced with the clean lines, modular seating and pale interior colour scheme associated with the brand.
We proposed a Scandinavian palette throughout the venue, with a light wood on the walls and cool grey tones on the floors and counters, keeping it neutral and comfortable. With accents of green on the velvet seating and living plant walls, we elevated the muted interior with textures and highlights that reflected natural health and fresh food.
We took care to avoid any moodiness from the colour scheme by introducing warm, natural timber, brass trim and copper lining between the wooden panels in the dining room. This added a beautiful but subtle edge of luxury throughout the eating space to convey the quality of food being served.
Haidilao’s brand is eccentric and fun, which we echoed in the waiting area. Our concept included a complementary nail spa, Bluetooth selfie machine and retro popcorn machine to keep guests amused during long waiting times. Ten meters away, next to the restaurant, we created a children’s play space complete with soft cushioned floors, reading books, toys and locally sourced play equipment.
In Australia, the design process can be long and complex for those new to developing in the country. Australia was unchartered territory for Haidilao so our team worked closely with their Project Manager, providing guidance on local council, leasing, permits and application. To ensure high quality throughout the project, we visited the site every few days to keep track on design and resolve any issues quickly.
