Professional lighting project for restaurant: O’POKEBAR Decathlon Aubagne

As part of the opening of the O’POKEBAR restaurant within the Décathlon store in Aubagne, a complete lighting project was carried out to create a warm, functional atmosphere perfectly integrated into an existing commercial environment. This project illustrates the importance of a well-thought-out restaurant lighting layout, capable of meeting the aesthetic, technical, and operational requirements of a dining area in a retail setting.

Presentation of the O’POKEBAR Décathlon Aubagne project

O’POKEBAR is a modern fast-food concept, integrated directly inside a Décathlon store. The main challenge of this project was to create a strong lighting identity while blending harmoniously into an already structured and very busy commercial environment.

The assigned task involved the complete design of the professional restaurant lighting, from the study of uses to the final installation of the light fixtures. In total, 50 light fixtures were installed to cover all areas: dining room, counter, preparation area, and transition spaces.

The goals of the lighting layout

Before selecting any light fixtures, several key goals were defined to guide the project:

• Create a welcoming and warm atmosphere for customers
• Visually define the different areas of the restaurant
• Ensure functional and efficient lighting for the staff
• Respect the constraints of a public establishment
• Ensure aesthetic coherence with the restaurant’s identity

The lighting thus had to fulfill a dual role: decorative for the customer experience and technical for work comfort.

Lighting of the dining room

The area dedicated to welcoming customers and tables forms the heart of the restaurant. For this space, the choice fell on LED circle pendants with a color temperature of 3000K, an ideal value for dining, providing warm and friendly light.

The pendants were installed as interlaced circles, creating a true lighting stage design. This layout gives rhythm to the ceiling while providing an elegant and contemporary visual signature. The LED circles also allow for even light distribution, without shadowy areas or glare.

Beyond their lighting function, these pendants fully contribute to the identity of the place, reinforcing the restaurant’s quality image within the Décathlon space.

Lighting of the counter

The counter is a strategic point in the customer journey: it is where orders are placed, exchanges happen, and dishes are handed over. Specific lighting was therefore necessary to highlight it without disturbing the visual reading of the space.

Conical pendants were installed along the entire length of the counter. Their shape directs the light precisely onto the work surface and customer contact area, while creating a structuring visual alignment.

This choice enhances the clarity of the space and naturally guides customers’ gaze, while adding a design touch consistent with the rest of the lighting layout.

Lighting of the preparation area

The area behind the counter imposes stricter technical requirements. It must provide sufficient, even, and precise lighting to ensure speed, safety, and comfort for the teams during order preparation.

Adjustable spotlights were installed in this area. Their orientation allows precise adaptation of the light flow to the workstations, ensuring efficient preparation area lighting without creating shadowy spots.

This type of professional LED lighting improves visibility, reduces eye strain, and contributes to the daily operational efficiency of the restaurant.

Creation of chandelier arrangements

To strengthen the identity of the place and bring a strong decorative element, two chandelier arrangements were specially created for this project. These arrangements play with volumes, heights, and repetition of shapes to visually structure the space.

These installations add a more premium dimension to the restaurant and break away from the sometimes very standardized aspect of integrated commercial spaces. They contribute to the personalization of the place and the overall customer experience.

A turnkey lighting project

This O’POKEBAR project illustrates the importance of a comprehensive approach in designing a restaurant lighting project. All light fixtures were selected and installed with a logic of coherence: uniform color temperature, balanced distribution of light flows, and adaptation to the specific uses of each area.

The lighting layout was conceived as a true tool serving the customer experience and operational performance, while respecting the technical and regulatory constraints specific to dining areas in commercial settings.

Conclusion

The lighting project for the O’POKEBAR restaurant within the Décathlon in Aubagne shows how a well-designed restaurant lighting layout can transform a space. By combining decorative, functional, and stage lighting, this project creates a welcoming environment for customers and an efficient one for the teams.

This achievement highlights the importance of expertise in commercial lighting design, capable of meeting the aesthetic, technical, and regulatory challenges of a professional project, from concept to implementation. Contact us for your professional lighting project.