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Restaurants of the Future: Experience and Technology

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by Theresa English, Principal

February 23, 2022

Restauranteurs and designers are rethinking how they will be designing in the future. Some of the trends you see now started prior to the Pandemic.  Self-ordering, kiosks, and grab and go were a few but some, like AI-assisted ordering, were accelerated by technology developments that happened during the Pandemic.  The typical time frame for technology development was greatly compressed by the need for innovation created by the Pandemic.   The events of the last couple of years are leading the way for these changes. Curbside is here to stay. Drawing people into a physical restaurant becomes more of a challenge.  Combining automation with the dining experience makes a new experience to pull customers away from their couch and the drive-thru.

Creating the experience: Customers want to be entertained. Food prep is one source of great entertainment. My nieces and nephews favorite restaurant was an open kitchen wood-fired pizza place. They would drag chairs over and press their noses against the sneeze guard. When they were watching, instead of pressing the dough into the pan, staff would toss it in the air and the kids would go wild. They were amazing and patient and would answer questions and chat with their audience. That kindness kept us coming back.  Panera announced their “Bakery Theater Experience” earlier this year.  The Krispy Kreme in Times Square includes an amphitheater.  The flagship Starbucks in Chicago includes roasting that patrons can see.  These restaurants create an allure for guests that can keep them coming back.

Automation:  The pandemic has already advanced apps, artificial intelligence, and online ordering, the next innovations will be staff efficiency. The push for increasing food industry wages has been exacerbated by the shortage being seen now.  The staff shortage contributes to the need for efficiency.  Automation is key for the future. Automation development has accelerated and now there are more options for preparing any type of food. Whether it is artisanal coffee or a full meal with sauces and a variety of ingredients. And do not forget the alcohol. One of the benefits of automating alcohol-related services is widening the pool of potential hires because you no longer need staff to be older.  Japan has probably the most extensive existing automation in restaurants, including arcades that are all claw machines for food.  The intrigue of seeing automation at work ties directly into the new experiences restaurants are looking to create.

The combination of curbside and automation makes for a great kitchen theater for those patrons dining in. Curbside makes for more food being prepared which provides more activity during a guest visit. Making the process visible provides something for guests to watch and enjoy.  Adding in automation imbues it with curiosity and allows staff to be more customer-oriented.  The patron experience will continue to expand. Design is the thread that will allow the multiple aspects to be woven together.

Have more questions about the future of the restaurant experience? Ask! Email me at tenglish@tkarch.com

Theresa English, Principal

Get the Most Value from Your Renderings: 5 Tips for Clients and Project Teams

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Date ##, 2021 PRINCIPAL STEVEN DRAGAN

In the year 1415, Filippo Brunelleschi blew Italian Renaissance minds with the formalization of linear perspective.  It became possible to accurately draw a 3d building that had yet to be constructed.  For Architects, this method of 3d rendering worked for almost 600 years with few innovations.  Then came computers…and now our capabilities change daily.

With the right hardware, software, and a talented team, we are able to create immersive animations for the projects we are designing.  We can utilize software to analyze each space and find conflicts.  We even have the ability to hold VR meetings inside of the building that is being designed.  Scan the QR code for a small taste of how we can visualize a space:

Go ahead… Scan me! You know you want to!
(Or click HERE if on mobile)

But how do clients feel about this architectural software arms race? Do you feel like you are getting more value?  As someone who leads a team of designers and works with this technology every day, I can attest, there IS incredible value to be had! However, depending on your specific needs (and budget) there is a point of diminishing returns.  Below are 5 tips to make sure your project squeezes the most value from architectural rendering.

Early rendering for a destination auditorium in a theme park.
1. ESTABLISH THE PURPOSE OF A RENDERING

There are 3 main reasons we make renderings: Marketing, Testing a Design, and Presentations.  Each has a different focus, time requirement, and final product.  When the client and the architect are clear on purpose, we can tailor our effort.  For example, when a client is penciling out a business plan for a prospective site, we may be asked to develop a simple floorplan and exterior rendering to generate interest and investment.   With this in mind, we craft an exciting image focused on the big picture.   By contrast, a design presentation rendering that is focused on fine-tuning of materials, transitions, lighting, and wayfinding would require much more effort.   The extra effort may have tremendous value in communicating what the final product will be prior to beginning construction documents. 

2. TARGET YOUR VISUALIZATION

One way to blow a budget is to over-render (i.e., model more spaces than are necessary).  To make sure our clients get value, we provide a list of views we will develop, then provide initial black/white views to confirm what is shown. Then we focus on creating renderings of those spaces.  So instead of detail-rendering every restroom in a facility, we’ll select a representative room to develop that view and communicate the design.   This targeted approach is part of a bigger design process with checkpoints that we map out with each client.

Restroom Rendering for Design Development Phase.
3. DO LIVE REVIEW

After years of weeklong rendering queues, we now have the ability to create real-time renderings.  Here’s what this means for our clients: we can get on a Zoom call and give them a photo-realistic tour of the design progress for their building.  These live progress reviews enable quick clarity about design intent and quick feedback.  If both you and the architect are okay with a less formal peek under the hood, this can simplify a weeklong back and forth email loop into a productive hour with clear follow-up.  Time-saved, budget saved, value-added.

4. GET THE FRINGE BENEFITS

Light Level Map.

Turns out, the effort needed to 3d model a design coincides with several other important parts of the project.  Having this level of accuracy and development allows us to also check for conflicts, quantify materials, test light levels, and more.  On their own, these efforts are significant, but once a design is modeled to the point of rendering, these benefits are within much closer reach.

5. SHOW IT TO THE CONTRACTOR AND PROJECT TEAM

Once you’ve spent the time and effort to develop images that show the experiential quality of a potential space, use it as a team resource.  While these images don’t illuminate the construction methods (nor should they!); can do a lot to get people oriented as they dive into a construction document set, ultimately, saving time and greasing the tracks for efficient communication.

In the world of architecture, we have more capabilities than ever before.  This will only continue to grow.  Make sure you get more benefits by finding an architect who communicates well and seeks to understand your business. (Here comes a bit of self-promotion) At TK, we’ve served entertainment and F&B clients for 40 years.  We’ve seen their businesses grow and change.  We are focused on bringing value at the right time, not just to rendering but to the whole project. 

Curious how we hand-craft our client’s design experience to meet their goals.  Drop me a note! sdragan@tkarch.com

Steven Dragan, Principal

TK Architects 40th Aniversary Celebration!

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TK Architects International is celebrating our 40th Anniversary as a firm. We wanted to reflect on our past, celebrate our present, and project our future. We wanted to share it with all the people that have joined us along this journey, including clients, contractors, vendors, friends, and family. As we have grown we have added services, sectors, and diverse international locales. Social media became the platform to bridge distance and a worldwide pandemic. We hope you enjoy the campaign and invite you to share your stories, comments, and memories with us.

Relive the anniversary content with us! Scroll through and see what TKA has been, and IS all about from past to present. Below is all of our anniversary content organized by sector.

Each image below is a playlist. Kick back with some popcorn, and see some History, and meet the people who built TKA. Also, enjoy content from: Cinema, Food & Beverage, and Entertainment!

We hope you will enjoy the content and join us on Facebook and LinkedIn to share some of your favorite moments with us!

Full youtube Playlist HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aZY9hedVAY&list=PLVqK0Gnu_6-gCnl2Zxps8jpDm5y-rXfre

TK ARCHITECTS HISTORY

Sr. Principal MIKE CUMMINGS kicks off our INTERVIEW SERIES and talks about how TK Architects got involved in the cinema industry. Follow along in this TKA HISTORY Playlist and hear from a number of our Principals including Jack Muffoletto, Tamra Knapp, Brad Reynolds, and more! This playlist is packed with TKA origin stories, memorandums, challenges, influences, and acquaintances that help to mold TK Architects into the industry-leading company that it is today.
(15 videos)

CINEMA

See where it all started in the CINEMA for TK Architects! Enjoy our story from the outside to the inside and all around. Grab some popcorn and join us down the promenade to the BIG screen!
(10 Videos)

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Food and Beverage is not only a stand-alone market sector. It spans across various market sectors as a component of them.  TK has worked on a variety of projects encompassing all ranges of Food and Beverage elements from small kiosks and self-service counters to full-service restaurants.  Having engineering in-house is a particular benefit to the Food and Beverage sector work as F&B equipment is specialized and required focused MEP engineering. When you add our special relationship with equipment vendors, the project work is streamlined for client success.
(5 videos)

ENTERTAINMENT FACILITIES

The evolution of TK Architects from Cinema to holistic Entertainment Facilities seemed to happen naturally due to the synergy that cinema and other entertainment opportunities bring. Entertainment Facilities offer a large revenue stream from Arcades, Bowling, Mini Golf, VR, AR, and Escape rooms.
(5 Videos)

Thank you for following along with our 40th-anniversary content and us over the years. We had a great time creating the content and hearing some of the stories from the past, from the people who built TKA to be what it is today.

Please follow along on social media as we open a new chapter in TK Architects history!

Mike Cummings Awarded Lifetime Achievement Award

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Who is CTC?

The Cinema Technology Community (CTC), is an independent, not-for-profit membership organization that aims to advance the use of technology to enhance all aspects of the movie-going experience.

With over 450 members in more than 65 countries, the members represent all facets of the film industry; from film distributors to cinema exhibitors, integrators, manufacturers, journalists, and thought leaders. The membership community is united by a shared passion for technology and the cinematic experience.

What is the Lifetime Achievement Award?

The Lifetime Achievement Award this year is awarded to not one but two individuals, rewarded to individuals to recognize their efforts to support the cinema industry.

On November 26th, 2020 CTC announced the recipients of its prestigious 2020 awards at its appropriately special online event, ‘One Community Day’. The awards night recognized individuals and organizations that continue to drive excellence in movie-going through the use of technology and outstanding service to the industry.

Representing TK Architects, our very own Mike Cummings. Mike is being presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for being a “true technologist” for his understanding of the cinema industry. Mike and TKA are renowned as one of the first to pioneer in the use of 3D designs to build cinemas. As architects moved from 2D pencil-to-paper drawings to Digital 3D Building Information Modeling, TK recognized the opportunities that 3D design could bring. Providing clients with digital walk-thrus of cinemas while still in the concept stage, this technology proved to be better collaboration with project partners while reducing on-site construction costs and wastage. This technological revolution has enabled TK to continue to be at the forefront of global design creating amazing cinema spaces for all to enjoy.

Mike is not only a major part of TK Architects, he is also a big part of the cinema industry. This well-deserved recognition makes us proud and we hope he is planning a big party!

CTC Annual Awards 2020

Join film-critic, author and broadcaster Mark Kermode and CTC’s own ‘Last Projectionist Standing’ Dave Norris in recognizing the 2020 Award Recipients in the video below:

Visit video on youtube for timestamp to Mikes Lifetime Achievement presentation: https://youtu.be/47poWiqsoJI (click “more” in the description)

Covid Innovation Award – Vista Entertainment Solutions
Cinema of the Year – Nightflix Cinemas
Rising Star – Alice Tentori
Technology Pioneer – Dolby Laboratories
Outstanding Achievement – CJ Cinema Summit
Lifetime Achievement – Mike Cummings
Lifetime Achievement – Peter Hall

For further information on CTC including membership opportunities, visit www.cinema-technology.com or email info@cinema-technology.com

Resiliency for Cinemas to Rebound and Thrive

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DECEMBER 8, 2020

Resiliency is not a new term for the Cinema Industry.  The industry has faced adversity in the past but economically has always been the Teflon industry.  Cinema has survived TV as noted by Greg Marcus:

“My grandfather, I know one of the ways he built the business after TV came along — so let’s talk about the fact that this industry does endure some significant shocks. And it endures. The keyword being endure. He went around to people who were getting theaters back and said, ‘Look, we’re going to partner. Because it’s going to come back at some level.’ And he was right. So I think there could be opportunities like that as we look forward.”

Greg Marcus

Marcus Theatres CEO Says Biz Endured “Significant Shocks” Before — Q3 Earnings – Deadline

After TV, cinema has survived the rise of VCRs, DVDs, and streaming.  At TK Architects, a nearly 40-year-old firm that has specialized in Cinema, Entertainment, and F&B since its inception, we believe cinema will survive the pandemic and can thrive again.  Building on our expertise, we challenge our architectural and engineering staff to develop dozens of concepts for cinema business post-pandemic.  We have also seen our vendor partners with longer histories than us pivot and provide creative solutions that are helping cinemas (and other industries) meet their immediate needs during the pandemic.  To move beyond surviving and back to thriving the question needs to be what is next for cinemas?

Converting to recliners and elevating food offerings implementation continues to be key improvements for re-inventing the industry.

Examining what is next for cinema is something TK thinks about every year since our creation but in a formalized way for the last 9 years.  Provoking a conversation tailored to a client’s individual needs while thinking about those needs differently is what we strive to accomplish with these concepts.  Sometimes the ideas push the envelope with a dreamer’s surrealism and other times they are perceived as achievable with some additional creativity. One of my favorite activities has been showing them to various clients and hearing their responses.  Clients can visualize them for their own brands.  Deciding the factors that go into the path to resiliency are unique to each location.

Covered speaker concept that was later executed by a client.
Urban outdoor cinema concept.

Right-sizing for new construction and re-demising for renovation are parallel paths that clients have taken and both remain relevant.  Reducing screen count is one approach.  This can provide negotiation options for discussion with the Landlord by giving back space.  Another approach we see as viable is repurposing the extra space for new entertainment uses.  Reuse ideas can include an expanded bar or a kitchen to convert the facility to dine-in.  Bowling, arcade, or trampoline are also repurposing options.

Re-demised cinema that reduced screens from 24 to 14.

Concept for repurposing an auditorium as a bar adjacent to the Lobby.

Repurposing for event cinema, e-sports and gaming or other experiential cinema helps to diversify revenue streams making a location less dependent on Hollywood (or local content as the location may dictate). All of these alternatives can draw audiences to a facility at varied times beyond the prime Friday and Saturday night slots.  Finding the right mix for your facility requires research and testing.

Capitalizing on the information and data that an exhibitor has access to from their loyalty programs can factor into additional amenity research.  As cinemas diversify their offerings, avoiding the struggle cinemas experienced when first managing kitchens for dine-in by adding people knowledgeable in these different areas will help the ventures succeed.  The road to rebounding and thriving will be paved with combinations of the elements mentioned here.  We look forward to helping to steer clients to the road that works for them.

Theresa English