DAG Architects collaborated closely with the client and FK Companies to reimagine the spirit of the classic American diner within a contemporary setting. The design challenge was to create a distinctive and highly recognizable destination that honors mid-century Americana, while meeting the operational demands of a modern restaurant.
The building’s exterior makes a bold visual statement, drawing heavily from 1950s automotive culture and roadside diner aesthetics. Striking geometric forms, vibrant neon lighting, and a carefully selected palette of timeless materials—such as polished metal, glass block, and porcelain enamel—establish a commanding roadside presence and evoke the glamour of a bygone era.
DAG led the interior architectural design, orchestrating every detail to heighten the nostalgic experience. From checkerboard flooring and chrome accents to vintage vehicles and classic jukebox elements, the interior environment immerses guests in a richly layered narrative. Every finish, fixture, and spatial element was intentionally curated not only to evoke memory and emotion, but also to ensure lasting durability, comfort, and operational efficiency.
The team’s success allowed the client to extend this design language into new iterations of the roadside attraction, reinforcing the diner’s identity as both a cultural landmark and a high-performing hospitality venue. The result is architecture that transcends simple theming—merging playful retro iconography with rigorous design thinking to create a vibrant, immersive, and enduring destination.
Hello Hilo is a restaurant prototype bakery for King’s Hawaiian and its Hello Hilo brand. The design aimed to embody the spirit of “ohana,” reflecting a sense of family and warmth through the sharing of food and hospitality. To promote this atmosphere, the space features abundant indoor and outdoor seating to encourage guests to linger, along with large windows that foster connections between areas.
The architecture pays tribute to traditional Hawaiian elements, incorporating natural and diverse woods and stones. The roof’s angle creates a striking silhouette against the sky. Additionally, the drive-thru, often overlooked in restaurant design, boasts a spacious, intricately designed overhang and wide driveways. We prioritized ample space for customer and staff interactions, ensuring that every aspect of hospitality was thoughtfully considered. Vibrant colors and signage enhance the tropical aesthetic, while oversized sculptures offer creative backdrops for visitors’ social media photos. Since its opening, the bakery has achieved notable success in the community, prompting the business to extend its hours and optimize the use of its expansive back-of-house areas.
Harrison’s Kitchen & Bar is a key dining destination in historic downtown Panama City, a revitalized space after Hurricane Michael’s devastation in 2018. Offering stunning views of the Panama City Marina and St. Andrews Bay, the restaurant’s name pays homage to the historic downtown’s early name and Harrison Avenue, the main route leading visitors through downtown to the restaurant’s entrance.
The design features brick construction paired with wood floors and industrial accents, reflecting the rich history of the Panama City Marina. The open layout and expansive windows create a light and airy atmosphere, framing the scenic beauty of St. Andrews Bay. Inside, guests enjoy comfortable seating and a large, full-service bar, while the outdoor area offers a mix of covered and open patio seating, complete with a fireplace and space for games within the restaurant’s garden walls.
A new cypress wood-exposed roof, detailed wood railings, and a full bar renovation completed this restaurant project. The new ground floor addition consisted of a new pizza bar, waste storage, and elevator. The project was a major transformation of Southside 30A by changing the back-of-house facilities into an open plaza front. The main challenge was to maintain a functioning restaurant during construction. This required finding inventive ways of locating support services and functions, while screening them from the public view.
Part of this refresh included a renovation to Bud & Alley’s, Seaside’s oldest restaurant. We provided a 3,800-square-foot addition with a nautical-inspired tower to provide views of the ocean. The addition connects to the existing covered porches to provide indoor/outdoor connections that facilitate socializing. A new terrace-level dining area and expanded bar seating was provided. An additional 2,200 SF of renovations included updating the restrooms and providing additional outside space for operational needs. These renovations and additions were designed by Dhiru Thadani and DAG Architects was the Architect of Record.
