Creative inspiration
Nando’s has an online platform which supports the creative inspiration of Southern Africa through furniture and product design. It cuts the wait time to launch a product and helps start-ups understand how to market, grow, and run their businesses sustainably.
At the moment, there are around 50 businesses connected to this platform, with a percentage of all their sales going towards a Purpose Levy, which is reinvested in the designer / makers through workshops, business support and 1-2-1 mentoring.
The products range from feature lighting to furniture and can be seen in Nando’s throughout the UK and Ireland.
I photographed the newly refurbished Nando’s restaurant at Tower Park, Poole, as designed by Fusion DNA. The exterior façade is covered with wooden shingles that are lit from below. The interior has been inspired by contemporary Southern African design with traditional abstract patterns. The Peri-Peri kick comes from the vibrancy of the colours, combined with rustic materials, contemporary lighting, and design of the furniture. Notable features are the cork pendants above the servery, beaded pendants near the drink’s unit, the decorative mobile timber screen, and the dark cork walls with large pieces of art.
Every Nando’s restaurant is designed individually as a celebration of their heritage in Mozambique and South Africa.
