A Study on the Characteristics of F&B Space with Big Blur Phenomenon

Abstract

(Background and Purpose) With the rapid development of high-end technology, such as AI automation, blockchain, and the metaverse, the boundaries between the virtual and real world are becoming increasingly blurred. This has led to a phenomenon known as the BigBlur, which is characterized by a fusion-and-conglomeration business style that is leaving behind the traditional offline approach. Since COVID-19, which has hit the world over the last three years, impacted the entire world and became a catalyst for such development of innovative technology, there has been an increasing trend of fusion-and-conglomeration business style, leaving the old-fashioned offline style. The purpose of this study is to present general characteristics of the BigBlur phenomenon and to prepare basic data for spatial design, by drawing spatial features of eateries without boundaries. (Method) In this study, the Chapter 2 arranges the general features of BigBlur from previous studies based on the theoretical concepts and classifies it according to the four types of combination. The Chapter 3 examines the spatial types according to its combination method, and draws the characteristics of food and beverage (F&B) spaces, based on the characteristic of the BigBlur and defines its meaning. In the Chapter 4, the study investigates selected F&B cases and examines how the spatial traits drawn in the Chapter 3 which are applied and displayed through references and studies. (Results) The result of the study shows that spatial cases with the BigBlur phenomenon were classified according to combination types, of which the BigBlur type cases have been studied from a spatial perspective. The traits of F&B areas drawn from the general BigBlur show a difference in the proportion according to their characteristics, but display all six characteristics evenly. The spaces with BigBlur have the most representative traits of conglomeration, multitude, and discrimination, based on blended space, inter-connection between spatial experiences, and the expanse of spatial image. (Conclusions) Based on the findings, it is estimated that the BigBlur phenomenon will become more complicated and confusing in the future due to the digital development; therefore, cooperation with the experts in the various fields would be essential for planning fusion-conglomeration spaces. This study aims to offer the guidance on planning such spaces by drawing out BigBlur traits. However, additional studies are required for sustainable F&B spaces in the future. Overall, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the BigBlur phenomenon and its implications for spatial design in the F&B industry.