When Hyde & Co approached us, they had their sights set on Bristol’s Cargo quarter and a concept they called Seven Lucky Gods. Their goal was to capture the energy of a London izakaya—an open-plan Japanese dining and drinking hall—and slot it into five welded shipping containers, creating a 30-seat kitchen and cocktail bar that would stand out among the city’s foodie destinations.
Shipping containers arent built to carry the weight of a heavy-duty extraction plant on their roofs, nor to accommodate a full commercial gas kitchen, bar service and dining for thirty guests within their narrow confines. We needed to protect the structural integrity of the containers while fitting every element—ducting, fans, worktops, seating and bar fittings—into a footprint that tolerated no wasted millimetres.
First, our engineers designed a bespoke galvanised steel frame that wraps around the container edges and ties back to new concrete pads below. By transferring the load of the extraction plant off the containers themselves, we ensured their shells remained purely as habitable space.
Next, rather than clustering all the plantwork overhead, we split it: half sits neatly on our custom upper rack, hidden from view by the container walls, and the other half lives at ground level behind slimline screening. This arrangement reduced structural stress, simplified maintenance and kept noise to a minimum. Throughout the interior, every duct run, work surface and seating bay was laid out in detailed 3D CAD, so chefs, bartenders and diners could move freely without a hint of congestion—and with uninterrupted sightlines to all the action.
With the substructure in place and the split-plant system running smoothly, the finished containers were then clad in warm timber and lit with lantern-style fittings for an authentic Japanese feel. On opening night, Seven Lucky Gods exceeded Hyde & Co’s footfall and revenue forecasts, quickly becoming one of Wapping Wharf’s most talked-about venues. The project handover was flawless, ongoing maintenance has proved effortless, and diners consistently praise the atmosphere and design.
In the end, this challenge proved that with careful engineering and creative planning, even the most unconventional spaces can be transformed into memorable dining destinations.
When Hyde & Co approached us, they had their sights set on Bristol’s Cargo quarter and a concept they called Seven Lucky Gods. Their goal was to capture the energy of a London izakaya—an open-plan Japanese dining and drinking hall—and slot it into five welded shipping containers, creating a 30-seat kitchen and cocktail bar that would stand out among the city’s foodie destinations.
Shipping containers weren’t built to carry the weight of a heavy-duty extraction plant on their roofs, nor to accommodate a full commercial gas kitchen, bar service and dining for thirty guests within their narrow confines. We needed to protect the structural integrity of the containers while fitting every element—ducting, fans, worktops, seating and bar fittings—into a footprint that tolerated no wasted millimetres.
First, our engineers designed a bespoke galvanised steel frame that wraps around the container edges and ties back to new concrete pads below. By transferring the load of the extraction plant off the containers themselves, we ensured their shells remained purely as habitable space.
Next, rather than clustering all the plantwork overhead, we split it: half sits neatly on our custom upper rack, hidden from view by the container walls, and the other half lives at ground level behind slimline screening. This arrangement reduced structural stress, simplified maintenance and kept noise to a minimum. Throughout the interior, every duct run, work surface and seating bay was laid out in detailed 3D CAD, so chefs, bartenders and diners could move freely without a hint of congestion—and with uninterrupted sightlines to all the action.
With the substructure in place and the split-plant system running smoothly, the finished containers were then clad in warm timber and lit with lantern-style fittings for an authentic Japanese feel. On opening night, Seven Lucky Gods exceeded Hyde & Co’s footfall forecasts, quickly becoming one of Wapping Wharf’s most talked-about venues. The project handover was flawless, ongoing maintenance has proved effortless, and diners consistently praise the atmosphere and design. In the end, this challenge proved that with careful engineering and creative planning, even the most unconventional spaces can be transformed into memorable dining destinations.
From your initial design to full fit out, our team of designers, suppliers and
builders are here to take your F&B idea from concept to delivery.
From your initial design to full fit out, our team of designers, suppliers and builders are here to take your F&B idea from concept to delivery.
