Super Mega Bien

Restaurant Buildout

About

Super Mega Bien is a local Latin American DimSum style restaurant located in the Ramble Hotel in the ever growing RiNo district of Denver CO. I had the pleasure of being very involved with the buildout and decoration of this space as it was nearing its opening date. Everything about this space is loud, colorful, and interactive. From the colors and textures on the wall to the bold words and phrases incorporated throughout the space, each detail yields a bit more personality with every visit.

My focus on this project was to envision, help design, and fabricate the objects that would help inform and influence everyone’s interactions as they moved through the space. I was responsible for designing the host stand, dim sum carts, poster hanging system, as well as installation and decoration of the space as needed.

The Host Stand

As you enter you see the host stand, which is based on a classic Chinese to go box. This form was something inspired by conversations with the client. I designed the host stand in a modeling software to gauge the scale and functionality to a human user and worked with a local fabricator to figure out the best way to build it. Included behind the host stand is a codex typography piece that my team mate John designed. Once designed I cut, painted, assembled, and installed all the pieces into the hidden message decorated on the wall behind the host stand.

Dim sum Cart

Moving further in you will notice the servers walking around with brightly colored dim sum carts, the main source of food service inside the restaurant. I designed these from scratch loosely based off of traditional food carts. Our trusty fabricator then took the design specs and welded them into reality, powder coating them brightly as well to accentuate the brand.

The Interior

Finally, in the back and main part of the restaurant there are posters hanging to help decorate the space which are also for sale. I assembled and installed the metal piping as well as the custom laser cut MDF hanger; this modular system allows staff to hang and change posters with ease. Beyond that my duty was to help wheat paste the posters on the columns and walls, help construct and finish the recycled gymnasium floor tables, help install the custom CNC cut banquette walls, install the vintage pinball machine near the server station, and design/fabricate some custom leather goods to sell as merchandise.

Art Direction: Rick Griffith and Debra Johnson

Work completed through MATTER