How to plan the outdoor space of a restaurant with the eBloc system - practical guide

1. Analysis of space and needs

Assessment of location and weather conditions

The first step in planning the outdoor space of a restaurant is a thorough analysis of the location and the conditions that affect it:

“Before choosing specific solutions, I spent a week watching the sun fall on our terrace at different times of the day. This allowed me to determine precisely where we need full roofing, and where lamellas that let in part of the light are sufficient,” says Marek, owner of the restaurant “Na Tarasie” in Poznań.

• Directions of the world and insolation — determine from which side the most light falls during the restaurant's operating hours. South and west are often directions that require effective shading.
• Prevailing winds — note whether the location is exposed to strong gusts of wind and from which direction they most often come. In such places, it is worth planning full glazing or walls with the ZIP Screen system.
• Surroundings and views — assess which perspectives are worth highlighting (e.g. historic architecture, greenery) and which to cover (e.g. busy street, neglected buildings).
• Ambient noise If the restaurant is located on a busy street, the appropriate eBloc walls can significantly reduce the noise coming to the guests.

Determining the character and style of the restaurant

The eBloc system can be configured to harmonize with the existing character of the premises:

• For exclusive restaurants — it is worth considering full glazing, a double photovoltaic roof and a composite floor, which will create an elegant, coherent space.
• For premises with a Mediterranean character — fabric roof, partially open spaces and a minimum number of walls will create an atmosphere of lightness.
• For industrial style restaurants — aluminum slats will work well, which will emphasize the strict character.

Identifying the needs of guests and staff

Observation and conversations with guests and staff can provide valuable tips:

• Are guests looking for intimacy or rather an open, sociable atmosphere? In the first case, it is worth considering more interior partitions, in the second - a more open space.
• How often do weather conditions force you to close your garden? This will help decide on the level of tightness of the system.
• What does the waiter workflow look like? Design the layout for ease of use — plan wide aisles and consider the placement of entrances.

Adapt to existing architecture

The eBloc system offers great flexibility in adapting to existing buildings:

• Wall construction — ideal as an extension of the building, saves space and creates visual continuity with the restaurant.
• Freestanding construction — gives greater freedom in the organization of space, allows the creation of separate zones on the property.
• Color of the structure — aluminum profiles can be adapted in color to the facade of the building or other elements of the decor of the restaurant, creating a coherent whole.

2. Design of functional zones

Entrance and welcome area

The first impression is of great importance in the catering business:

“Our eBloc at the entrance serves not only as a roof, but also as a showcase of the premises. Guests often take pictures here before they even order their first drink” — notes Anna, manager of the restaurant “Stary Port” in Gdynia.

• Define a clear input zone — you can achieve this by changing the substrate (e.g. composite floor in the eBloc system), using dedicated LED lighting in the construction posts or changing the configuration of the walls.
• Take care of the roof of the queue — in popular places or on promotion days, guests often have to wait for a table. A well-designed entrance area with eBloc roofing protects them from the weather.
• Consider the waiting zone — As part of the eBloc design, you can organize a small space with high tables or sofas, where guests can wait for a table with a drink.

Main consumption space

This is the heart of the exterior of the restaurant:

• Dividing into sections — use the modular design of the eBloc system to create a clear division of space (e.g. a zone for families with children, romantic tables for couples, larger tables for groups).
• Differentiation of walls Not every website needs the same security. On the side of a busy street, full walls (glass or ZIP Screen) will work, while on the side of the park or garden you can use aluminum slats or leave the side completely open.
• Flexibility of arrangement — choose an eBloc configuration that will allow you to easily reorganize the space for special occasions (e.g. larger parties, corporate events).

Bar/buffet area

An external bar can significantly increase the efficiency of operation:

• Semi-covered bar space — Adopt an eBloc construction with a fabric roof over the outdoor bar, which will protect both equipment and staff and guests.
• Dedicated lighting — use integrated LED lighting to adequately illuminate the menu, bar and bartender space.
• Accessibility of media — plan the distribution of eBloc modules to facilitate the supply of water and electricity to the bar area.

Communication and service flow

Well-designed communication lines are crucial for efficient operation:

• Designate the main waiter paths — Plan them so that they are simple and do not conflict with guest areas. The width of the passages should allow free movement with trays.
• Combination with the interior of the premises — eBloc wall system can be perfectly matched to existing doors and passages, creating a seamless connection between interior and exterior.
• Accessibility for all — Make sure the outdoor area is accessible to people with reduced mobility; the eBloc composite floor can compensate for differences in levels.

Private and group spaces

The variety of spaces increases the attractiveness of the premises for different groups of customers:

• Intimate boxing — use the modular design of eBloc and ZIP Screeny to create more private spaces for couples or small groups.
• Spacious areas for groups — by combining several eBloc modules you can create a larger, covered space ideal for larger groups or events.
• VIP room — allocate a special space with full glazing, its own sound system and heating, which can be reserved for special occasions.

3. Technical configuration of the eBloc system

The choice between wall-mounted and free-standing construction

This decision is fundamental to the nature of the space:

“We decided to have a detached eBloc in the garden, a little away from the main building. We have thus created an exclusive 'restaurant in a restaurant', which our guests love to book for special occasions” — shares Tomasz, owner of “Winna Dolina”.

Wall structure:

• Requires fewer structural elements (fewer legs/posts)
• Allows direct connection to installations in the building
• Creates a visual extension of the premises
• It is usually more economical
• Requires taking into account the load on the wall of the building

Freestanding design:

• Gives complete freedom of location in space
• Allows you to create thematic “islands”
• Allows full control of all walls
• Requires independent media
• Offers greater opportunities for expansion in the future

Selection of the type of roof to the nature of the premises

The eBloc system offers several roofing options that can be selected according to your needs:

Photovoltaic roof:

• Generates electricity (for a restaurant working during the day, this is a significant savings)
• Provides full tightness thanks to the double roof system
• It has a modern, prestigious look
• Can power LED lighting integrated into the structure
• Useful especially for eco-friendly restaurants that emphasize sustainability

Fabric roof:

• Lighter visually, ideal for casual restaurants
• Can be extended, giving more flexibility on sunny days
• Available in different colors, which allows to match the visual identification of the premises
• More economical to buy
• Requires dismantling for the winter for regions with heavy snowfall

Lamella roof:

• Allows you to adjust the amount of light entering the interior
• Ideal for restaurants working at different times of the day
• Modern look fits into premises with a contemporary design
• Can be integrated with photovoltaic modules
• Provides excellent ventilation on hot days

Optimization of walls depending on the season

Proper selection of walls is crucial for the functionality of the space:

Glass fixed walls:

• Provide wind protection while maintaining full visibility
• They are ideal in the colder months, extending the garden season
• They create an elegant, prestigious atmosphere
• Easy to clean
• Can include a sliding door system for easy access

Zip Screenshots:

• They offer flexibility — they can be lowered or raised depending on the weather
• Available in different degrees of transparency
• Provide sun and wind protection
• They take up a minimum amount of space when folded
• Can be automatically controlled according to weather conditions

Aluminum slats:

• Provide privacy with simultaneous airflow
• Can be installed in different configurations (vertical or horizontal)
• Also available in the version with integrated photovoltaic modules
• They create an interesting effect of chiaroscuro inside the space
• Ideal as partial partitions between zones

Flooring solutions - when and which ones to choose

The floor in the outdoor space not only affects the aesthetics, but also the functionality:

Composite floor on structural profiles:

• Levelizes the terrain, eliminating unevenness
• Provides better insulation from the ground (important in early spring and autumn)
• Allows you to hide the installation under the floor
• It is durable and weather-resistant
• Easy to clean, which is key in catering

Without floor (use of existing substrate):

• Economical solution
• Good for locations with already existing, high quality substrate (e.g. paving stones, stone slabs)
• Requires less intrusion into the terrain
• Faster installation of eBloc
• It can be a temporary solution before the target investment

Lighting and integration with restaurant systems

Proper lighting is the key to creating a pleasant atmosphere:

“Thanks to the integrated LED strips in the bars of our eBloc, we were able to create two different atmospheres — daytime, bright and energetic for lunch, and evening, cozy and moody for dinner. Guests often ask if it's definitely the same place,” says Aleksandra, manager of “Bistro Lumière”.

Integrated lighting:

• The eBloc system offers the possibility of installing LEDs in posts and upper side beams
• Allows you to create several lighting scenarios adapted to the time of day
• Can be powered by photovoltaic panels (if this type of roof is selected)
• It is possible to control the intensity and color of the light
• Lighting can be integrated into the restaurant system (e.g. automatic adjustment for reservations)

Integration with other systems:

• Audio system — the ability to install discrete speakers in the structure
• Heating — infrared heaters can be mounted to the structure, extending the garden season
• Booking system — each eBloc module can be assigned a number in the reservation system
• Monitoring — discreet cameras can increase the security of the space
• WiFi — signal amplifiers in the design will provide good internet access

Thanks to its modularity and variety of configuration options, eBloc is an ideal solution for restaurants looking for a way to make efficient use of outdoor space. Regardless of the nature of the premises, location or budget, a properly designed space using this system can become a significant business asset, attracting new visitors and increasing revenue.

‍