Project Description

Near the locally renowned Bonfim’s Garden, in Setúbal, we find, at street level, a small barbecue and takeaway food store. Founded in March 1994 and after several years in business it had undergone minor works of conservation and improvements. 2011 was the year when the owners claimed for changing the worn out store image. Being a small shop in size and storage, the space had a kitchen, a char-grilled zone, staff sanitary facilities, public service area, waiting room and public sanitary installations, all in the same place.

Our first approach was to try to optimize and organize the several work areas in an attempt to increase the production ones, but the infrastructure’s complexity, including electricity, gas and water, made it an impossible task. Any change in layout meant changing one or more infrastructures. We then proposed the client to make a complete renovation of the space but using the existing equipment for costs reduction.

The store’s blueprint plan forms a rectangle of 6.30 by 6.90 meters making a wide front store. We divided the width of the shop in 3 equal parts creating 3 sectors, labour and food preparation area, service area and waiting room. At the back off the store we located the kitchen area. A wall and a counter in the grill area divide the space and we draw a counter top cabinet, creating more storage area while strengthening the division between spaces. This became the service area with its product exhibition area and catering equipment, redesigned in a partnership with a specialized team, so it would integrate seamlessly with the new image and organization.

We chose two materials with high mechanical strength, terrazzo epoxy for floors and a composite of quartz for wall coverings, countertops and catering equipment coverings. In the kitchen area we used the typical coverings used in the catering equipment. Every wall was covered with stainless steel plate, granting higher hygiene and sanitary conditions.

The outer window frames were changed to allow a large quantity of air to enter and balance the air extraction in the grill area and the cooling ventilation operates over the hot coals even after the store closes for the public. This intervention made necessary to draw a special frame, allowing the air passage and ensure public security. We used a steel frame with an upper grid in sheet steel pierced by the outer side and with an inner door accessing a small airflow control.

Photographer Name:
João Morgado | Fotografia de Arquitectura

Technical File:
Take-Away Store
phase: completed
year: 2011
location: Av. Alexandre Herculano 82, Setúbal, Portugal
client: Frango Vaidoso, lda
co-author: 71 ARQUITECTOS
coordination: Emanuel Romão
collaboration: Paula Lemos Romão; Arnaud De Lanève
measurements: 71 arquitectos
copy writer: Ricardo Boléo Henriques
technical facilities: Engº Rui Frazão
Constructor: A renovadora, construções, Lda.
Catering Equipment: Frimarques, lda
photography: João Morgado