DITKA’S RESTAURANT
CHALLENGE
Ditka’s Oakbrook Terrace location is a destination for dining parties of all sizes and occasions. Spread across two floors, the restaurant’s unique layout is a natural fit for creating multiple dining spaces to cater to private events and gatherings.
Ditka’s needed a flexible solution that would allow them to transform their space to accommodate parties of different sizes and coordinate with the steakhouse’s rich wood and leather décor.
SOLUTION
Using Hufcor’s timber-framed movable glass walls, the project team designed four private party rooms at the signature restaurant. Each space offers customers four extremely unique private dining areas all divided by either Hufcor operable partitions with custom printed vinyl or GT1 series timber-framed movable glass walls. The end result is a floor plan and interior design that offers not only an intimate, fine dining environment, but unparalleled flexibility to shape the dining experience to individual party needs.
The Hufcor timber-framed movable glass walls use wood paneling that coordinate with the surrounding millwork and contain specially frosted glass with the Ditka signature caricature etching. The wood-framed panels separate the main restaurant from the main seating areas and inset pass doors allow patrons and servers to easily access the rooms. When not used for a private event, the doors are simply stacked into a storage closet and the room is used as standard seating.
The timber-framed panels are supported and operate on Hufcor’s time-tested aluminum tracking system and are secured in the opening with side mounted floor pins without the need for any floor tracks. This helps to reduce tripping hazards and lower ongoing maintenance issues associated with floor tracks.
RESULT
Since installing the system, Ditka’s has been able to better accommodate small gatherings and private parties of different sizes. Through Hufcor’s timber-framed glass walls, Ditka’s has been able to realize new opportunities and reshape the way they serve customers in their space while enhancing the overall customer experience.
BRUNSWICK BOWLING CENTER
CHALLENGE
Hosting events ranging from corporate conferences to birthday parties, the Brunswick Bowling Center in Glendale, Arizona relies upon their meeting space to drive their business beyond bowling. Wanting to maximize the available space to accommodate multiple groups simultaneously, the facility sought a flexible space solution that was not only effective at blocking sound from adjoining spaces, but easy to set-up and affordable.
SOLUTION
In considering the goals and budget of the project, Hufcor recommended their 4100 Series accordion doors for Brunswick’s active party rooms. For storage, the designers incorporated a stacking closet for the doors that runs perpendicular to the space so they stack out-of-sight when not extended across the room. The use of both curved tracks and overhead switches in the track allow the facility to easily make wall-to-wall separations that help create the solid acoustical separation and privacy needed between group function areas.
Since the accordion partitions are approximately 12’ tall, Hufcor advised Brunswick to install pendant pulls on the lead edge of the door to facilitate easy operation. These convenient handles help to pull the accordion door across the opening by applying force higher up onto the leading edge. The doors are finished with standard Hufcor vinyl that allow the staff to easily clean the surfaces after each event.
RESULT
After the installation was complete, the accordion doors have proven successful in helping this vibrant bowling center create flexible party and meeting rooms that can accommodate groups of different sizes simultaneously with ease and efficiency.
GRANITE CITY BREWERY
CHALLENGE
As Granite City’s first location, their St. Cloud, Minnesota restaurant opened in 1999 and today is a popular dining destination in the local community. In recent years, the restaurant began to see an increase in demand for their private event and catering services but lacked the space to accommodate multiple parties and groups of varying size.
Not wanting to relocate the restaurant or complete a serious renovation which could stall business, Granite City sought a solution that would enable them to maximize opportunities using their existing space. Granite City needed a flexible space partner who could not only retrofit operable partitions into a space that was not originally built to support heavy panels, but also offer a wide range of custom finishes and design options so the new panels would tie seamlessly into the sun-washed and wood decor of their space.
SOLUTION
Working closely with Granite City and the design/build contractor, Boser Construction, Hufcor creatively designed an operable partition that could divide the indoor patio seating area for Granite City Brewery. Featuring Hufcor’s 600 Series operable partitions, the panels were designed with faux wood RG Designer Series facing and custom window inserts. The panels’ rotogravure faux wood painted surface provided a durable, washable finish ensured the beauty of the walls could be maintained easily for years to come.
With the new panels designed, concerns about losing natural light in the main atrium when the panels were closed for an event were also raised. Boser installed a glass storefront plenum to allow the light from above the partitions to still flow into the atrium. With new panels and a window system planned for the space, the need for added structural support became critical. Using Hufcor’s patented Unispan® overhead support system, both solutions were made possible. Hufcor’s engineers worked with Boser to ensure the Unispan® support system was designed to hold the weight of not only the new operable panels but also their windowing system as well.
RESULT
Since installing the system, Hufcor’s creative solution has helped the restaurant attract more small gatherings to the restaurant and grow their private party and on-site catering business. Through the custom design capabilities and innovative support options offered by Hufcor, Granite City has been able to realize new opportunities and reshape the way they serve customers in their space.
BAYLOR CLUB AT MCLANE STADIUM
CHALLENGE
The Baylor Club, located within McLane Stadium on Baylor University’s campus, provides a venue for present and emerging Baylor leaders to build camaraderie and strengthen the Waco community in the great tradition of Baylor University. As one of the only private clubs in the country located on a college campus, the club offers a grand ballroom, separate dining and bar areas, and a walkout mezzanine overlooking the stadium. The walkout area offers a great opportunity for members to experience the Baylor Club and enjoy game day during football season.
Hufcor was challenged in providing a flexible solution that would allow the space to be divided for private events and banquets. Not wanting to sacrifice floor space or compromise the upscale, modern design of the space, the Baylor Club needed a space solution that was both aesthetically pleasing and space saving.
SOLUTION
To fulfill these objectives, Hufcor installed three of its Summit vertical lift partitions to separate their dining area from the ballroom. The partitions enable the Baylor Club to effectively divide their space so large corporate meetings, receptions and other events may take place in the ballroom while the dining area can remain open to club members. Summit’s space-saving vertical design results in zero loss in terms of floor space and square footage. The three Summit partitions stack neatly into a narrow slot in the ceiling, allowing the ballroom to open up into the bar and dining areas.
The partitions also feature an LG architectural fusion finish. This creates the look and even the texture of real wood, while offering the durability of a laminate.
RESULT
Hufcor’s Summit vertical lift partitions successfully fulfilled the objectives of the case study. Today, Baylor uses Hufcor’s Summit vertical lift partition to add flexibility to their restaurant and ballroom space at McLane Stadium. Summit’s sleek, modern design and space-saving vertical storage system provide the club with the flexibility the space requires without compromising design, flow or square footage.
THE WIT HOTEL
CHALLENGE
Offering guests stunning views of downtown Chicago, the Wit’s ultra sleek and modern bar, lounge and dining room are open to hotel guests and is reserveable for private events. In creating the space, the Wit desired the ability to create separate bar, lounge and dining spaces without limiting accessibility and flow to bartenders and wait staff.
SOLUTION
To accommodate these needs, Hufcor installed a custom designed movable glass wall to create a private space within their signature bar. Traffic flow of the hotel’s staff and bartenders was a top concern in installing a space divider. Hufcor’s solution enables the glass wall to be extended to divide a portion of the bar for a more private gathering, yet still give full access to the bartenders. The glass panels nest into a slight notch in the bar dividing the space, but not the servers, giving the feeling of intimacy to patrons while still allowing staff to pass between the spaces without disruption.
The designer was quite witty in the use of materials to create the private space. Using the standard design and frameworks of Hufcor’s GL1 frameless glass wall system, the glass panels were customized using 3Form polycarbonate substrates. Long natural fibers were encased within translucent polycarbonate to create a visual barrier for added privacy while allowing defused light to enter the spaces. This blend of glass and natural materials maintained the whimsical, yet sleek, modern elements of the space, while providing the Wit with added flexibility.
In addition to the movable glass wall, the Hufcor team installed four separate operable partitions that divide the meeting spaces at the Wit. These partitions provide the hotel with ultimate flexibility to serve the meeting needs of their clients.
RESULT
Hufcor’s custom frameless glass walls and operable partitions deliver the privacy and flexibility theWit desired within their signature bar and meeting space. Through the creative use of materials and smart layout of the partitions, the Wit is able to better utilize their space to not only allow for multiple private events to occupy the space, but enable hotel guests and patrons to enjoy the bar space and its exquisite downtown views while private events are in session.