The creation of an ambient and relaxed environment that will attract night time visitors, was the brief given to the architects practice behind the £7 million refurbishment of the Oasis, the restaurant and food court area at Meadhowhall Shopping Centre, Sheffield. 

The re-christened, “Dining Quarter” designed by The Harris Partnership in association with its sister company Vector Design Concepts has reached completion and can now offer shoppers and visitors to the mall 36 restaurants and food outlets in a highly contemporary environment. New additions include Wagamama, TGI Friday, and Café Rouge.

The overall design treatment has a highly neutral feel through the use of muted colours and natural materials. The neutrality was an important consideration, as it is crucial that the surrounding food outlets can showcase their distinctive brand identities.

Ketia Fong Wah who had lead the interior design project for The Harris Partnership comments: “We have created a very different feel  and look to what was here previously, which was a straightforward provision of seats and tables grouped together in a circular format with the individual restaurant brands on the periphery. The introduction of a mezzanine level makes very good use of the space available, and enables diners to eat food in a calm relaxed environment that is removed from the hustle and bustle of the physical buying process.

“Despite the large capacity, through clever planning The Oasis Dining Quarter can now offer an intimate dining arrangement and present more choice with the introduction of four new restaurant units and three additional kiosk opportunities. 

“The design features a rich palette of materials with prominent natural elements of cedar wood and birch twigs set in resin. Structured directional lighting subtly shadows the organic lines of the atrium formed by the new mezzanine levels generating additional seating on the upper mall area. Maintaining consistency with core materials to both levels has ensured a strong identity and sense of quality throughout the scheme.

Darren Pearce, Centre Director  at Meadowhall comments: “The Harris Partnership has helped us to achieve a more contemporary look, and a relaxed, calming environment. We have created a place that suits all tastes, and provides a range of day and night destination eating options. The new Oasis Dining Quarter is already very popular with customers and we look forward to welcoming old and new visitors alike over the coming years.”