Rudy's
Nationwide
Services
- Brand Direction
- Architecture
- Interiors
Team
- Client: Mission Mars
- Delivery Design: Mission Mars
Area
- Varies
Cost
- Varies
Project Overview
Having updated the original Rudy’s pizzeria in Ancoats in Manchester, AE worked closely with our client to establish a design strategy for future Rudy’s, which will adapt to each environment. The second was established on Peter St in Manchester and the third opened in Liverpool’s Castle Street. AE provided a full design service for these restaurants. All within very different existing buildings and designed to feel unique, they also feature some elements that have been repeated and refined. The approach we developed formed a blueprint to deliver the next 15 restaurants without AE involvement. Now AE consult for the restaurant chain reviewing initial proposals on site to aid design development and continuously improve the offer.
“Our relationship with Toby began back in 2017 when he helped us unpack and codify the design aspects of a recently acquired pizzeria in Manchester called Rudy’s. The end result was a detailed design framework document and the detailed design assistance for the first three sites. Since then we have opened 40 new Rudy’s pizzerias across the UK, mostly in-house designed. However, Toby has intermittently stepped in and out of supporting us in ensuring that we stay true to the original design principles and values. This help has been invaluable in helping us stay on the right track both design and cost wise. Recently, we have enlisted Toby’s input on trickier buildings where fresh or creative thinking has been required. He has been extremely flexible in working with us, turning site visits and discussions into sketches, plans and written specifications rapidly.”
Roy Ellis, CEO and Co-Founder, Mission Mars
The early design meetings featured the senior team at Mission Mars together with Jim, Kate and Rudy the dog, who would sit on our laps. Jim and Kate created the first very successful restaurant in a challenging raw, divided and compact space. They used inventive and affordable methods to create a relaxed atmosphere focused on the excellent pizza. We analysed what made it special and what the formula would be for maintaining it’s unique qualities whilst expanding and improving the operation.
Rudy’s in Liverpool features a large island bar under an existing rooflight and arched opening. The design enhances existing features within the space. When we accessed the space, we found a fully functioning largely black restaurant with corrugated white plastic panels and blue sky lighting features. The acoustic ceiling with its sound system was retained but painted white.
Everything else was removed and the challenge was to inject an element of rawness in line with other Rudy’s restaurants into the relatively well finished interior. The floor was retained and where previously marked by partitions and furniture, this is now on show. Formally boxed in columns have now been exposed to reveal raw brickwork, steel and concrete.
The low cost fit-out is focused around key features such as the pizza oven (always visible as you enter the restaurant) and the island bars (used to animate the rear of most restaurants so the focus is on the food). Rudy’s is now ranked amongst the best pizzeria’s in the world by the Guardian, Hardens Guide, and Where to Eat Pizza. It was named the best Pizzeria in the UK by Trip Advisor.
Once the brand and design principles were established in the first few sites, Mission Mars delivered a series of sites without input. However, following taking on some awkward sites, we were remployed to provide design advice to good effect. Some of the sites are pictured.
