Creative Design Solutions for Complex Commercial Spaces
Your space has constraints? We see opportunities. Whether it is an open floor plan needing privacy or industrial AC ducts ruining your aesthetic, we turn technical headaches into the signature features that define your venue.
The brief for Foo was a restaurant with no walls. Our solution was to create a series of arches that not only divide the space and improve acoustics but also hide essential storage and service stations within their thick frames.
In large venues like Dave & Buster's, AC systems are a major challenge. We turned this problem into a solution by designing custom arched and coffered ceilings that seamlessly integrate the AC grills, making them a cool design feature instead of an eyesore.
About this collection
Take the 'no-wall' restaurant brief we handled for Foo. Instead of compromising on space, we engineered custom arched structures that function as acoustic dividers, storage units, and statement design pieces simultaneously. We do not hide your site's limitations; we build the entire interior concept around them, ensuring your floor plan is as efficient as it is visually striking.
Great design starts long before you pick the paint colors. It starts with analyzing your floor plate, understanding your guest flow, and accepting that some sites simply do not want to cooperate. My job is to make them behave.
Turning Constraints into Concepts
When we worked on Foo, the site was essentially a glass box with no walls. It was a massive challenge because we needed to create intimacy and manage noise without building intrusive partitions. We solved this by installing a series of arched frames. These weren't just decorative; they cordoned off private dining pockets, provided hidden storage for service stations, and allowed us to house essential MDBs. The arches became the brand's identity.
Integrating HVAC and Industrial Elements
AC ducts are often the first thing that ruins a high-end restaurant or gaming zone. At Dave & Buster's, we had the opposite of a 'no-wall' problem—we had a ceiling height issue and massive AC units that threatened to block our design. Rather than lowering the entire ceiling with bulkheads, we treated the AC grills as part of the architecture. By using coffered ceilings and arched ceiling grids, we aligned the air supply and return points to match our geometry. The result was a clean, checked pattern where the AC vents looked intentional, not like an afterthought.
The Essajees Process
We don't believe in band-aid solutions. Whether you are dealing with awkward column placements, low ceiling heights, or restrictive zoning layouts, my team and I approach the floor plan as a structural puzzle. We create detailed 3D renders that map out how your guests move and where your staff functions, so you know exactly how the space performs before we ever break ground. If you have a site that feels 'un-designable,' that is exactly the kind of project we love.
Sarah Sham
I’m Sarah Sham, and I am a bit obsessive about the technical details that others overlook. When a project brief feels impossible or a space is technically flawed, that is when I get most excited. My team and I don't just decorate; we engineer solutions that make your business run better and look incredible.
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