Durban based · Nationwide
Hospitality spaces designed to look good and work hard.
RAM Hospitality Design & Consulting helps restaurants, cafés, hotels and hospitality operators plan practical, premium spaces — from early layouts and kitchen drawings to equipment specification and full turnkey restaurant solutions.
Layouts & drawings Start with a space that flows.
Kitchen planning Menu-led, equipment-aware design.
Equipment support Source/spec what matches the plan.
Who RAM Helps
For new builds, refits and hospitality ideas that need a proper plan.
Whether the client is opening from scratch or improving an existing space, the goal is the same: clearer layouts, better flow and smarter equipment decisions.
Cafés & coffee shops
Hotels & lodges
Franchise & QSR operators
Renovations & refits
Rhys McDermid
Founder of RAM Hospitality Design & Consulting.
Founder Background
Hospitality experience before design theory.
Rhys spent roughly 15 years at Core Catering Durban, working close to the hospitality industry and the realities of restaurant equipment, layouts, operator pressure and project decisions.
RAM brings that commercial background into the design process: premium enough to elevate a venue, practical enough to survive a busy service.
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Operator-aware thinking: layouts that consider workflow, staff movement, prep, service and equipment placement.
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Equipment-led planning: drawings and specifications that connect design intent to practical sourcing.
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Nationwide support: Durban based, available for hospitality projects across South Africa.
Services
Design support from first idea to quote-ready plan.
From a single set of drawings to a full turnkey restaurant solution, RAM offers design support that scales to the size of the project.
Hospitality Layout Design
Spatial planning for front-of-house, back-of-house and customer flow — built around how the venue needs to operate.
Commercial Kitchen Planning
Kitchen layouts informed by menu, prep, storage, service flow, extraction needs and equipment placement.
Drawings & Concept Plans
Project-ready drawings and visual planning documents that help owners, suppliers and contractors understand the scope.
Equipment Specification
Guidance on suitable equipment options that match the layout, menu, budget and operational requirements.
Renovations & Refits
Support for existing venues that need better flow, updated interiors, new kitchen planning or practical upgrades.
Project Consulting
Early-stage advice on feasibility, space use, budget priorities, supplier thinking and project direction.
Process
A simple route from rough idea to clear direction.
No overcomplicated agency theatre. Get the brief clear, plan the space properly, then line up the equipment and next steps.
Discovery
Understand the concept, site, menu, budget and timeline.
Site & Brief
Review measurements, constraints, operational needs and priorities.
Layout Direction
Plan flow, zoning, BOH/FOH logic and customer experience.
Equipment Planning
Match equipment requirements to the layout and service model.
Quote Support
Help turn the concept into a clear scope for quoting and next steps.
Portfolio
Project renders and concepts.
Concept drawings and planning visuals from the RAM design process, from front-of-house layouts to specification-ready equipment plans. Detailed project renders are available on request.
Restaurant ConceptFront-of-house flow and seating zones
Commercial KitchenCook line and extraction planning
Café InteriorCounter, seating and service flow
Hotel / Lodge SpaceGuest lounge and dining concept
Refit PlanningExisting venue, improved layout
Equipment LayoutSpecification-ready planning
Contact
Start with a quick project conversation.
Send the basics and RAM can come back with the right next step — call, consult, site visit or quote discussion.