With experiential design, innovative materials, and spatial storytelling, the first OH MY CRUNCH! store, designed by Vanda Designers in collaboration with the Caire Stable Consortium, was born as a manifesto for a new approach to interior design in the food retail industry.
The project is not just about designing a restaurant; it’s about giving physical form to a powerful, multisensory brand identity, starting from a simple yet revealing gesture: tasting the sandwich. This memorable crunch thus becomes the narrative engine of the entire project. An architectural language of contrasts, ruptures, and visual and material tensions comes to life.
The space is divided into two complementary areas. The front area is geometric and essential. It welcomes visitors with an orderly and reassuring atmosphere. The back area is where the bar and kitchen are located. It explodes into a striking setting dominated by vibrant pink stone reinterpreted through innovative, high-performance polycarbonate. The central element of the project is the bar design, which is conceived as a symbol, focal point, and functional device. The counter is more than just an operating station; it is an interior landmark: a precise, sculpted volume covered in pink, alabaster-effect polycarbonate that elegantly and dramatically refracts light. In addition to being sustainable, light, and durable, the material gives the project a contemporary dimension.
The restaurant’s design is based on a dual spatial register. The entrance leads to a calm, measured environment with subdued surfaces and restrained geometry. However, the atmosphere changes upon entering the operating area, where the brand is expressed in all its energy through bright colors, vibrant materials, and bold volumes. This transition is not only physical but also experiential, offering a spatial narrative that takes customers on a journey of discovery and engagement.
The retail design project OH MY CRUNCH!, located in the food sector, is more than just a venue; it is the first step of a larger project intended for replication and scalability. Every element, from product layout to environmental graphics and interior pathways to furniture arrangement, is designed with a narrative and strategic perspective. The integration of merchandising elements, visual product management, and attention to detail transforms the space into an immersive, coherent, and communicative platform. Legible pathways and the ability to personalize the shopping experience are typical features of a project that goes far beyond hospitality, setting a new standard for contemporary food retail.
The brand’s original color was a bold orange. In its spatial transposition, this tone evolved into a pinkish salmon shade, a color that recalls real ingredients often found in sandwiches and visually suggests crunchiness and texture.
In the OH MY CRUNCH! project, the entire concept is based on the idea that aesthetics, functionality, and environmental responsibility can and should coexist in every design choice. For example, the use of innovative, lightweight, recycled, or easily recyclable components, such as high-performance polycarbonate, reduces environmental impact without sacrificing formal expressiveness or tactile quality.
Sustainability is also reflected in the facilities and infrastructure. The entire system is designed to ensure energy efficiency with a focus on energy-efficient LED lighting, intelligent resource control, and reduced operational waste. This approach establishes OH MY CRUNCH! as a prime example of a new generation of responsible food spaces, where beauty and functionality are intertwined with an ethical design vision.
Technology is present in the venue but is integrated in a discreet way: digital menus, self-service ordering kiosks, smart lighting, and flow control systems optimize the experience without encroaching on the space. Each tool is designed to improve service, enhance the user experience, and reinforce the brand’s innovative image.
OH MY CRUNCH! is not just a venue; it’s a case study of the latest trends in bar and restaurant design and food industry retail.
