ELEMENTS Restaurant responds to the potential customers served and available space. The concept introduces an organic, natural, and inviting atmosphere using wood. It has a warm glow and a few surprises mixed in. The goal is to "shape the light" and fill the space with natural sunlight, shade and shadow. There is texture created using rift-cut white oak with a medium-brown stain. It features an elegant and comfortable "spa" menu. For the building exterior, a 4-story steel sunshade was created to control the south and west sun and to add detail and human scale to a 1980s precast concrete box.
In creating the architectural concept there were existing conditions to consider. The other three Chesapeake corporate campus restaurants each were designed with a specific concept. The Wildcat Restaurant includes stone and rustic surfaces featuring home cooking. The Chesapeake Conservatory is a light and airy space with high-performance glass to create a transparent structure. It has the feel of a garden room along the creek which allows an “outdoor” experience. FUEL Café is a colorful and high energy space with a "kitchen as art" concept. At FUEL colored glass on the perimeter window paints the space with soft color.
The menu options consist of healthy and light food selections which cater to the modern lifestyle. The exhibition kitchen allows the diners to view the food as it is prepared. The restaurant also offers a “to go” option. The main dining table area provides seating for 120 patrons. There are outdoor tables for 44.
