The client challenged the design team to renovate an existing building to synthesize working office space, interactive gathering areas, test and training kitchens, a production studio and the development lab workshop. Each individual function – specialized by themselves – works with the others to push the boundaries of their mission and values in the fast-food industry. The most interesting area of this center is the development lab or “magic lab” where their design team can push and test the limits of the brand through new exploration and thoughtful design while managing resources. With a focus on sustainability, much of the art and décor, furniture and lighting for the restaurants are created within this development lab rather than outsourcing. Upon concept approval, the in-house workshop will create protypes with branding objects utilized within the restaurant chain. The signature peppers displayed throughout their restaurants were created here.

Housing the multitude of functions under one roof to “cultivate” the Chipotle brand was a great vision and execution by the design, construction and client teams. Operable walls allow team members to not only see between spaces but to flow between them as inspiration strikes. The collaborative space program enables innovation and timely response to an ever-changing world – key to maintaining the client’s culture of innovation and reinvention. The iconic “red tractor” in the front reception lobby of the space is a nod to the Cultivate a Better World mission for food & animals, people and the environment.

From a technical standpoint, this would have been challenging with a clean sheet of paper and a new construction project. It was doubly difficult in the 22,000 SF first level area within a 3-story office building at the UCI Research Park in Irvine. Daylighting is provided not only to office and meeting spaces, but also to the kitchens – emphasizing sustainability throughout the brand.