DuPont Corian® has been specified by Blacksheep interior architecture and design for the interactive table tops at Inamo, an exciting new concept in dining in Londons West End, where technological innovation and high quality Asian food offer customers a taste of the future.
At the heart of the Inamo experience is an ingenious ordering system that allows diners to interact directly with the kitchen, rather than having to depend on the instant availability of waiting staff. Stunning graphics and photographically illustrated menus showing the chefs creations in real size are projected onto the sleek tables made from Corian® in Glacier White. Using a circular touchpad (about the size of a drinks mat) recessed into the table top, customers can then navigate their way through the dishes and send their order directly to the kitchen.
The interactive menu system, housed in and projected from futuristic pods above each table, invites diners to experiment with the technology beyond simply ordering their food. They can change the mood and ambiance by selecting from differently coloured and patterned virtual tablecloths, play games with their dining companion, watch their meal being prepared via a web-cam in the kitchen, browse local area information and even order a cab, all from the comfort of their tables.
We wanted to create a new dining experience that reflects the technological advancements of todays modern living explains Noel Hunwick, one half of the dynamic young entrepreneurial duo behind Inamo. He continues:
Corian® offered the ideal blank canvas for the projections, while also being very attractive as a stand-alone surface without the graphics switched on. Whats more we needed something hygienic that was robust enough to keep looking good over time.
Blacksheep design consultancy director Tim Mutton expands,
The key words were warmth, vibrancy, charm and theatre as it was important to balance out the restaurants technological aspects by creating a sensuous, social space with a strong personality. Corian® was a natural fit as its clean modern aesthetic and underlying scientific make-up complement the technological ethos of the overall concept. At the same time it feels great. As the tables are interactive, theyre a very important part of the sensory experience so it was critical that the material should feel inviting and pleasant to touch and not just look good
We needed a material that integrated seamlessly with the touch pad technology, with no static interference, and Corian® worked best on this level too. Getting the right white that changed exactly as we needed it to with the projections was very important. Initially we did look at other materials, including marble and laminates, but none of them worked as well. Corian® in Glacier White was spot-on
The advantages of DuPont Corian® as surfacing material in busy restaurant and bar environments go beyond versatility and the fresh, clean aesthetic. It offers a durability, stain-resistance and ease of maintenance that means day-to-day spills and scuffs are taken care of with regular cleaning. Should any accidental damage occur, the surface is repairable and renewable, offering a longevity of function that enhances sustainability a key concern of both contemporary designers and the owners of Inamo. The homogenous non-porosity and seamlessness of the material offer further benefits in the form of hygiene, a must in any restaurant environment.
