Design Focus: Elements, Bearsden – DRAM Scotland

By Nicola Walker

Elements, situated in the Glasgow suburb of Bearsden, opened in July and is the first solo dining venture from Chef/Owner Gary Townsend.

The restaurant has undergone significant refurbishment and an investment of around £400,000 to create the stunning 36-cover space. The new design was created by DBP Architects and has been carefully crafted to Gary’s vision.

Gary told DRAM, “I wanted the interiors of the restaurant to link closely to the four main elements in our restaurant’s namesake, with accents of water, fire, earth and air which also aligns closely to the ethos behind my cooking style.

“It was really important that our guests at Elements feel welcomed and relaxed as soon as they walk through the door, and these were main priorities in the design brief.  We worked closely with our architects DBP to achieve this, redesigning the layout to open up the area, incorporating lots of natural materials like granite, slate and stone, and using deep blue and green tones on the walls and ceilings.

“We also introduced energy saving initiatives wherever possible and have reduced the carbon footprint of the building considerably through various upgrades.  The result, I hope, is a calm and comfy space with lots of energy and positivity that feels special, yet homely for our guests.”

The restaurant certainly feels welcoming. The sandstone exterior is brought to life by the deep blue façade with smart silver branding and a logo which encompasses the four classical elements of nature. Upon entering the smoked oak timber flooring gives way to the deep blue walls which have been adorned with large antique glass mirrors that increase the depth and warmth of the space.

There are also large pieces of modern artwork that bring earthy tones. The open kitchen to the right has a stunning marbled granite top and is home to the five seats known as the ‘Chef’s Counter’. This area allows an immersive dining opportunity to observe Gary and his team’s craftsmanship up close. Another striking feature is the illuminated wine fridges which have been built into the walls.

There is also a perfectly formed bar located to the back left of the restaurant which has both a metal overhead and rear brass gantry. Gillian Morris, Associate Senior Interior Designer from DBP, explains, “Space is limited within the restaurant, so every space has been thought out to maximise functionality and to maximise storage within the smallest of spaces. The service bar is very compact but will still allow a large variety of wines, spirits, and whisky’s to be displayed and incorporates a granite top. There has been a lot of head scratching to get this bar to be beautiful and functional in a very small area of the restaurant.

“Elsewhere, to visually create space in a small area, we have combined darker wall colours with the oversized mirrors mounted on the walls. Mirrors have also been inlaid into the wine stores and wall panelling details to maximise the feeling of space and reflect the warm lighting throughout.”

“The colour palette has really been led by the ‘elements’ branding colours which were already in place when we started to work on the interiors. Dark blues with lighter shades of teal and burnt orange tones. The brief was to create a fine dining restaurant which still feels warm, welcoming, and comfortable with natural finishes were possible. These finishes have been selected to combine the aesthetics, yet still be hardwearing for a busy restaurant setting.”

The furniture takes the form of elegant dark wooden tables surrounded by comfortable chairs and some banquette seating which all tones in with the trademark blue colour scheme. These are upholstered in high end velvet fabrics and bring a real richness to the space. Statement lighting is also introduced through smoked glass pendants and modern chandelier style lights with brass frames which illuminate the space with a warm white glow.

The space has been totally transformed and the link between the name, the branding, the food and the design is clear for all to see. I certainly felt ‘in my element’ and can’t wait to return.