P.F. Chang's China Bistro in Long Beach represents a successful and evolving collaboration between the architect, client, general contractor and the entire development and construction team. The parties worked together for many years to create a seamless integration of design and construction processes.

P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Long Beach Photo by Assassi

As the client began expanding into new markets, it was essential to maintain the integrity of their vision by creating a collection of unique restaurants adapted to different locales and demographics. The approach has enabled the architect to enjoy a level of creative freedom and design opportunities uncommon with this type of client.

The important design feature of the 8,265-sq.-ft. restaurant (with a 1,440-sq.-ft. patio) in Long Beach is a curved wood lamella roof covering the dining area. The design element was the major project challenge and required an intensive collaboration from design concept to project completion between the client, architects, structural engineers and the general contractor in order to recreate this long lost art form.

The roof covering measures 60-ft. long by 38-ft. wide, with an arch depth of nearly 8 ft. The inspiration to use a lamella roof came from the client, who wanted to design a restaurant with the crafted wood roofs he remembered while working in 4-H barns as a child. The fully exposed structural patterning does not allow for any defects in the design, engineering and construction process.

The project was built within the scheduled time frame and budget.

The Development Team

Owner/developer: Developers Diversified Realty
Designers: P.F. Chang's China Bistro; MBH Architects
Interior designer: MBH Architects
Restaurant studio design: MBH Architects
Project management: MBH Architects
Construction manager: P.F. Chang's China Bistro
General contractor: ITX Construction/Consultants
Program/project management: ITX Construction/Consultants
Lighting consulting: Lighting Design Alliance; BD Lighting
Structural engineer: Michael Ross Consulting Engineers
Roofing: Ed Hansen Roof Structures
Landscaping: David A. Zeil & Associates

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