Design Process: LANA Thai, Salthill Galway

The owners of KAYA, Limerick contacted us with an idea. They wanted us to create a brand that could be rolled out across the country based on Asian street food.

They wanted a cheap yet happy fit out and gave us great scope to do whatever we wanted. This first restaurant was more than just design, this would set the theme for LANA brand. The focus was big graphics and bamboo.

Based in beautiful Salthill, Galway this was perfect for their first location. The owners were surprised by our use of bamboo, as it is considered cheap where they come from. Internally, it worked beatifully. On the tables, the walls and for lighting. We designed the bamboo lights ourselves and had them manufactured.

The counter is modelled on a Bangkok street food cart, and was installed as a working counter.

The exterior of LANA Salthill is simple with clean lines. We avoided fuss to keep the total focus on the interior and on the food. We chose a dark grey paint, and orange for the LANA sign.

The owner cooked us samples of the food before we began the design and then based it around those tastes and culture. We kept the inside dark to create a cosy atmosphere. Colourful IKEA chairs and bamboo tables are close together to make things social. You can chat with your neighbours, because you have no choice not to!

We decided the cutlery and bowls should be on the tables, in authentic street food style. Diners eat out of white takeaway cartons just like you see in the movies, and they love it. If you don’t finish your meal – just take it with you.

LANA Castletroy, Limerick is now open. LANA Raheen, Limerick will open this summer and there is another promised for the Galway area.