Arcadia by Utopian, Exeter
Design for connection, wellbeing and regeneration
We were proud to collaborate with Utopian Brewing as they looked to open the doors on their very first venue in Exeter. Together we transformed a fine dining restaurant into not just a tap room, but a place to gather and truly relax in comfort. Arcadia is a space where good food and drink are simply the starting point, whilst thoughtful design, storytelling and warmth root it deeply within its community.
From the very beginning, our visions aligned. Utopian’s circular social and environmentally sustainable ethos resonates with our own, coming to life through nature, culture, attention to quality and the senses. Arcadia is an invitation for guests to slow down, to remember and savour the simple pleasures in life, and to feel connected to something enduring and true in times of rapid change and disconnection.
The Stats
Floor Area: 240m2
Covers: 100
Challenges: Fire escape capacities, a partially crowdfunded budget concurrent with the design
Services Provided: Strategic Briefing, Concept Design, Technical Design & Bespoke Joinery, FF&E Specification, Licensing Drawings, Branding Support.
The Brief
Utopian Brewing sought guidance on the look and feel of this first space, but also the beginnings of a brand identity that could grow with them into future sites. With faint musings of William Morris as a starting point, we set out on a journey to find Arcadia.
The Concept
Starting with values, needs and the guest experience it was clear the concept would build on an appreciation for nature and social themes. A holistic approach to sustainability shaped every layer of the project, understanding how we could bring life more in balance. Rustic materials such as reclaimed timber, wicker pendant lighting, lime paint and slubby linens give a sense of nature, honesty and tactility in the centre of the city. Their raw imperfections serving as an invitation to the guests to relax into their own true selves. A dragonfly became the symbol of Arcadia appearing it's delicate wings reflected in details such as crackle glazed tiles, to the colour palette - a light palette of warm corten, dazzling greens, blues and soft, grounding neutrals.
Working closely with Kingdom & Sparrow, we expanded this vision into a brand identity that balanced the beauty of earth and sky, while weaving subtle threads back to Utopian’s sister brand such as the gulp of copper swallows flying through the roof space.
The Fitout
Just as the brewery itself is proudly independent, so too is the space. There is a meticulous attention to detail with a focus on local, quality and provenance across food, drink, service and furnishings. We collaborated with local suppliers such as Chunky Monkey who supplied bespoke tables and benches crafted from demolition timbers, locally manufactured lime paint, searching local auctions, antiques centres and reclamation yards for unique finds along with commissioning local crafters for lighting and fixed seating that would evolve with time. Each choice carried the spirit of circularity, embedding story and sustainability into the very fabric of Arcadia.