Brown Bag Hardin Valley

With an already strong following in Knoxville, Brown Bag was in need of a new space to further establish their growing brand. As the first ground-up location for this restaurant concept, the client relied heavily on our firm to create a holistic design that would introduce new elements into their brand identity.

Creating a footprint that provided the space the client needed and allowed the building to stand out from the main street posed an exciting design challenge due to the unique topography, setback and parking requirements. These challenges were addressed by bringing the building height up to improve visibility and utilizing landscaping to create a welcoming site that sought to minimize the impact of the parking lot.

The overall building form and finish is a bold statement that strives to draw attention with its sharp angles and material choices. This project uses a combination of bold, dark accents with bright colors and materials. Wood accents and large windows bring in natural warmth to the space, complementing the surrounding finishes. The neutral palette contrasts with a green tile wall accent, allowing the vibrant color to become a branding element.

Framework for Design Excellence

Design for Equitable Communities: The nature of this project type, being a restaurant, promotes human connections and interactions. It creates a space where all are welcome. The spaces designed, both interior and exterior, provide a variety of options and flexibility for all users. The natural light and warmth of materials inside, as well as the open dining space, engages and creates an environment that is comfortable for the occupants.

Design for Ecosystems: The site was previously an empty field with very minimal vegetation diversity. The addition of extensive landscaping brings a variety of plant species, including many native species, that creates a more diverse ecosystem. The site was allowed landscape buffer areas in order to minimize the hard surfaces.

Design for Water: The use of permeable pavers on a portion of the site
creates a more sustainable approach to rainwater/stormwater management. The addition of an abundance of landscaping in lieu of hard surfaces also minimizes water runoff and water waste.

Design for Energy: The orientation of the building was designed to eliminate unnecessary heat gain, thus creating more efficient HVAC systems in the building. Windows exist primarily on the North façade, and openings on the South Façade are limited and recessed to minimize direct sunlight. There are no openings on the East façade, and the West façade incorporates a deep canopy that minimizes the afternoon Western sunlight.

Design for Well-being: This building provides a comfortable atmosphere for the occupants through the use of natural light, warmth of materials and appropriately sized spaces.