Short Or Tall - Studio M Architects

Short or Tall Restaurant Design in Rogers, Minnesota

Overview:

Short or Tall is a 4,000-square-foot restaurant and patio located in Rogers, Minnesota, completed by Studio M Architects in 2019. Specializing in American casual cuisine—burgers, salads, wings—and offering a large selection of beers, the restaurant provides a modern dining experience that stands out in the local scene. The project features a spacious outdoor patio with a large fireplace and has been recognized with a STAR Award for ground-up restaurant design.

Project Goals:

Create a Unique Modern Restaurant: Design a restaurant that doesn’t resemble any other, fulfilling the owner’s desire for a distinctive and contemporary aesthetic.
Reinforce Brand Identity: Utilize materials and colors that align with the brand’s logo and design, making the restaurant instantly recognizable.
Highlight Food and Beverages: Keep the material palette simple to allow the focus to remain on the food offerings and extensive beer selection.
Innovative Beer Delivery System: Incorporate a visually striking beer cooler suspended from the roof, enhancing both functionality and customer experience.

Outdoor Experience: Include a second-floor patio and a ground-level patio with a large fireplace to provide versatile outdoor seating options.

Design and Implementation:

Layout and Structural Features:
- Open Floor Plan: Developed an efficient layout accommodating dining areas, a large bar, and smooth circulation for guests and staff.
- Second-Floor Patio: Added an upper-level patio to increase seating capacity and offer elevated views.
- Ground-Level Patio: Designed a welcoming outdoor space featuring a large fireplace, creating a cozy atmosphere for diners.
Innovative Beer Cooler:
- Suspended Installation: Faced the challenge of hanging the beer cooler from the roof, which became a celebrated focal point.
- Stainless Steel Beer Lines: Installed a series of stainless steel pipes delivering beer from the overhead cooler directly to the bar taps, allowing patrons to see the system in action.
Materials and Finishes:
- Corrugated Metal and Orange Metal Panels: Selected to make the building stand out and to reinforce the brand’s color scheme.
- Wood and Plywood Accents: Incorporated to add warmth and texture, balancing the industrial feel of the metals.
- Painted Metal Elements: Used throughout to maintain a modern and cohesive aesthetic.
- Simple Material Palette: Chose materials that are straightforward yet impactful, ensuring the design doesn’t overshadow the culinary offerings.
Design Elements:
- Brand Alignment: The use of vibrant orange panels ties directly to the brand’s logo, creating visual consistency.
- Exposed Mechanics: By showcasing the beer delivery system, the design adds an engaging element that reflects the restaurant’s emphasis on its beer selection.
- Modern Aesthetic: Achieved through clean lines, industrial materials, and thoughtful integration of brand colors.

Challenges:

Structural Engineering:
- Hanging Beer Cooler: Required careful planning to safely suspend the heavy cooler from the roof structure, ensuring both functionality and compliance with building codes.
Material Selection:
- Freedom with Responsibility: With the freedom to choose materials came the responsibility to select ones that were modern, durable, and reflective of the brand without being excessive.
Balancing Simplicity and Uniqueness:
- Design Restraint: Aimed to create a space that is both unique and welcoming, avoiding overcomplication to let the food and beverages take center stage.

Outcome:

The Short or Tall restaurant successfully fulfills the owner’s vision of a modern and distinctive dining destination. The bold use of corrugated metal and orange metal panels not only reinforces the brand identity but also makes the building a standout feature in Rogers, Minnesota. The innovative hanging beer cooler and exposed delivery system provide an eye-catching and functional centerpiece that delights patrons. The incorporation of both upper and lower patios, along with a large outdoor fireplace, enhances the dining experience by offering versatile seating options. By focusing on simplicity in materials and design, the restaurant ensures that the spotlight remains on its delicious food and extensive beer selection. The project’s excellence was recognized with a STAR Award for ground-up restaurant design, highlighting its success in achieving the client’s goals and contributing positively to the community’s dining scene.