3D Ramen: Designing a Fast-Casual Concept

Clever Ramen, scheduled to open this spring, was designed with the concept of using raw, true materials that bring warmth and life to the restaurant space.

Born and Raised Hospitality, the restaurant group behind other Phoenix restaurants Clever Koi, Across The Pond, and Fellow Osteria teamed up with Aline Architecture Concepts to create the new fast-casual build-your-own meal restaurant featuring a menu of customized ramen noodle bowls, steamed bao buns, and seasoned fries.  

Aline Principal Brian Laubenthal said they wanted to bring plant life and warmth into the project, but also let the design and function of the space lean heavily on technology while keeping its character. Clever Ramen features a curved plywood ceiling and wall that was created using 3D parametric modeling software that allowed Aline to design the ceiling and walls to mimic the shape of a ramen noodle.

“We developed the curved plywood ceiling and wall using a parametric software that allows us to…