6503 Building IQ Issue 5.indd - Clipsal

FEATUREBathers Pavilion RestaurantA NEW FINE DININGIIt’s no secret that the right ambience is a crucial factor in determining thesuccess of a restaurant. So why not use automation to create the perfectdining experience every time.10In today’s consumer driven world, restaurantsare not only judged on the quality of the foodthey serve, but the ambience they create fortheir diners as well.Encompassing the interior appearance, serviceand how the food is presented, the ambienceis a decisive factor in determining the successof a restaurant. These days, dining out hasbecome an experience, and lighting plays apivotal role in shaping this experience.Whether you want draw attention to yourfood, décor or service, lighting plays a vitalrole in how a restaurant sells. It can create anenvironment that either calms or excites, thathelps turn tables quickly or entices guests to linger.So why leave one of a restaurant’s most importantselling tools at the mercy of busy staff? Withautomation, you can easily create and maintain theperfect lighting environment.Clipsal Integrated Systems’ C-Bus Control andManagement system is the ideal solution to creatinga fl awless ambience. Easily programmed toautomate all aspects of lighting including dimmingand mood lighting, C-Bus enables pre-determinedlighting scenes to be activated at the press of abutton eg. breakfast, lunch and dinner modes.A reliable and adaptable system, C-Bus is alsocapable of scheduling lighting scenarios to activateat specifi c times and providing owners with thepeace of mind that their restaurant will always bepresented in a favourable light.Sydney’s Bathers Pavilion Restaurant is onethriving restaurant taking advantage of the benefi tsautomation technology can bring.Situated in the landmark Bathers Pavilion buildingon Balmoral Beach, the restaurant was openedin 1999 by - then partner, now owner - chef andrestaurateur, Serge Dansereau.Divided into four different areas; café, restaurant,function room and back of house, the restaurant’sC-Bus system has been programmed to controlall internal and external lighting, as well as airconditioning and exhaust fans. In the restaurant,there are 16 groups of lights that respond to C-Buscommands, which include uplights, downlights,pendant and column lights. Programmed toactivate lighting scenes pre-selected by Serge eg.‘Restaurant High’ for a more vibrant atmosphereand ‘Restaurant Low’ to create a more intimatemood, the scenes can be easily activated by staffvia a control unit located behind the bar.Clipsal Systems Integrator, David Beauchampfrom Switched on Living, was responsible for thecommissioning of the Bathers Pavilion RestaurantC-Bus system. Having worked on a numberof restaurant projects, David sees the benefi tsoffered by automation in such applications as soimpressive, that he’s surprised more architects andconsultants aren’t offering it as a standard inclusion.'Those people who embrace it and use it properly,I doubt they would ever turn back,' he said.'There’s no comparison to conventional wiring.'David notes that one of the most important sellingpoints for automation in restaurant applicationsis the fact it can guarantee the perfect lightingambience round the clock.'People spend so much time on attaining a certainaesthetic look and feel,' said David. 'Correct useof lighting is the most important fi nishing touch youcan add.'Without good lighting, it’s wasted energy spenton décor and design.'David also points out that automation providesdesigners with copious leeway in terms oflighting design.'Jobs always change from what’s originally onpaper,' he said. 'Automation gives you so muchmore fl exibility if you change your mind.'What’s more, if the owner ever wants to change theseating layout of their restaurant, the lighting designcan be easily adapted to change with it.Photography: Mike Chorley Photography& Eason Creative Photography Pty Ltd