What Was the Problem?
The food truck Client bought wasn’t even close to what he had in mind. It lacked branding, looked basic, and didn’t match the vibe he wanted to create.
His goal?
To design a space that felt like a cool, luxurious restaurant — not just a food truck parked outside. But with a limited budget of AED 15,000 and a large open space (1834 sq. ft.), it was clear the execution costs would go way beyond what he initially expected.
Project Scope
The plan wasn’t just to make the truck look better. It was to transform the entire surrounding area. Key elements included:
- External truck box structure (wood + storage)
- Three styles of seating: bar, lounge, and dining
- Monochrome theme with concrete and checkered flooring
- Ambient lighting
- Planters for visual freshness
The vibe? Minimal, clean, a little edgy — like a boutique outdoor café with UFO-level branding.
Included Deliverables:
✅ Moodboards
✅ 2D & 3D Layouts
✅ Material Palettes
✅ Final Rendered Views
✅ Shopping Lists
✅ BOQ
✅ Project Execution (Optional)
Challenges We Faced
1. Budget Gap:
Client budget (AED 15,000) was enough for design but not enough for full execution, which needed at least AED 70K–100K. This meant aligning expectations upfront and planning smart.
2. Layout Approvals:
We had to rework the layout based on site regulations — like keeping a 1-meter gap from boundaries and integrating pre-existing elements (lampposts, signboards) seamlessly.
3. Vendor Delays:
There were delays in finalizing vendors and getting material quotes, especially for the wooden structure, paint, and outdoor furniture.
4. First-Time Execution:
This was Client first F&B project, so everything had to
be functionally practical — proper refrigeration, dry storage, external branding, and accessible seating.
What Worked Well
- Client Clarity: Client was crystal clear on what he wanted from Day 1. That helped us lock the moodboard and design on the first go — a rare win.
- Design Variety: We gave him a variety of seating options that matched the “restaurant feel” he envisioned.
- Luxury + Practicality: We stuck to a monochrome palette but balanced it with textured elements like wood, checkered tiles, planters, and ambient lighting to bring it to life.
Even though the project wasn’t executed due to budget constraints, the design phase was a success — delivered in just 15–17 days with full client approval.
What Didn’t Go as Planned?
- Execution didn’t move forward due to budget mismatch.
- Internal Goof-Up: A new designer on our team miscalculated some furniture dimensions, which we caught and fixed before submission. Didn’t affect the client — but a learning moment for us.
- No design rejection: But there were a few “creative disagreements,” like avoiding flashy glass screens and LED towers the client suggested — we steered him back to timeless design choices.
Client Reaction
The design reveal felt like a movie moment — Client loved it. He saw his vision come to life: sleek monochrome furniture, greenery, multiple seating options, and an overall feel that was modern, fresh, and premium.
