Thomas Klein International designs restaurant with internal farm

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Thomas Klein International, the Dubai based restaurant consultants, and their Chicago architectural office PS Studio, have introduced the vertical farming concept in the latest Prime and Toast food outlet in Kuwait.
The feature is based on the concept of vertical farming, invented in 1999 by American professor Dr. Dickson Despommier, to grow food in crowded urban areas.
Prime and Toasts vertical farm will be the centrepiece of the new restaurant, set to open after Ramadan, and will be watered using condensation from the air conditioning system. The organic herbs and green-leaf vegetables harvested from the farm will be used as ingredients on the innovative menu.

Thomas Klein International, the food and beverage and design consultants behind the project, and PS Studio decided to introduce the innovative vertical farming concept with the design of the restaurant to complement the menu concept and the quality of fresh ingredients used in the preparation of the food.

Prime and Toast is well known for the quality of the produce used in their large selection of sandwiches and salads, incorporating only the freshest ingredients and vegetables as well as the best prime USDA beef in their dishes. The main feature of the restaurant is therefore the vertical farming section, and the rest of the restaurant was designed around this unique and innovative concept, said Daniel During, Managing Partner of Thomas Klein International (TKI).

All the elements of the interiors will be aligned with the concept of raw, natural, high quality ingredients to complement the menu on offer, he added.

In line with the concept, the farming system has been designed to also be ecologically-friendly. A team of architects and engineers has devised a system whereby the condensation from the air-conditioning system will be used to water the growing plants.

Due to the high level of humidity in Kuwait especially over the hotter months, we have the perfect weather conditions to enable us to use the water from the air-conditioning as a by-product to water the plants. We will also be using energy-saving light bulbs within the system, and within the entire restaurant, said Paula Palombo, PS Studio Principal.

The vertical farming section and the kitchen will take central stage in the eatery with all tables enjoying direct views into the production area. Two central tables will be available for communal seating while smaller tables have been included for individual seating. To add to the ecological approach of the restaurant, all the wood used in the production of the furniture will be from sustainable forests, thus complementing the green concept.

The new outlet will also feature a metre-wide blackboard ribbon running along the restaurants entire walls, as well as a shelf above the blackboard which will feature a selection if the finest mineral waters from around the world.

The strip of blackboard originates from within the kitchen and runs all the way around the space from the kitchen throughout the dining area, linking the restaurant and the kitchen and enabling the chefs to write on the black board not only their daily specials and recommendations, but also to express their thoughts and creativity.

We believe this ribbon of ideas will create a link between the chefs and the customers and will entice customers into trying new food, added During.

The flexibility of the menu is also of paramount importance, as it is usually based on the fresh produce available on a particular day.

We are extremely excited about the design of the new Prime and Toast, and we are especially pleased to be able to integrate the vertical farming concept within the restaurant, said Ahmed Al Bader, Director of Culinary Development for the Epicure Group, which owns Prime and Toast.

Not only will we have the freshest vegetables and herbs in town, but we will also be doing our bit to help save the environment. With the new design, the restaurant is aiming to become a leading sustainable example for Kuwait city, he added.
The Epicure Group is the food and beverage development arm of The Sultan Group, the largest business group in Kuwait and one of the largest in the area. Prime and Toast is the second project assigned to Thomas Klein International.

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