<p>This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Ryan Mikita of Ricca Design Studios for a fascinating conversation about the hidden world of foodservice design and the critical role it plays in shaping the restaurants, hotels, schools, arenas, and hospitality spaces we experience every day. Drawing on his unique journey from restaurant operations to leading large-scale foodservice design projects, Ryan shares how thoughtful planning can improve efficiency, employee well-being, sustainability, and the overall guest experience.</p><p>The discussion explores everything from kitchen ergonomics and ventilation to workflow optimization, allergen-safe design, sustainability initiatives, and the growing shift toward all-electric commercial kitchens. Ryan also dives into the science and art behind restaurant operations, explaining how foodservice designers balance mathematical planning with human-centered design to create spaces that support both staff performance and memorable customer experiences.</p><p>From university dining halls and hospitality venues to major public assembly projects and international developments, this episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the systems that power great food experiences. It’s an insightful conversation about how exceptional buildings aren’t just beautiful on the surface—they’re thoughtfully designed from the inside out to serve the people who use them every day.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>More About Ryan Mikita</strong></p><p>Ryan is a Pittsburgh-based Partner at Ricca Design Studios, where he leads a design studio focused on commercial kitchen and restaurant design across a wide range of project types. While based in Pittsburgh, his portfolio spans the globe, encompassing diverse and emerging markets, operational models, and project archetypes.</p><p>His experience includes hospitality, healthcare, higher education, stadiums and arenas, government facilities, and corporate headquarters. Although each project presents its own unique challenges—often large-scale and highly complex—Ryan’s approach remains consistent: designing foodservice environments that are efficient, reliable, and aligned with the broader goals of the project.</p><p>Ryan works closely with ownership teams, architects, developers, and operators to bring concepts to life in ways that are both practical and well-executed. His perspective is firmly grounded in operations, with a strong emphasis on workflow, staffing, and day-to-day functionality, supported by extensive technical experience in the field.</p><p>Much of his work involves complex projects requiring coordination across multiple disciplines. From feasibility studies and conceptual design through construction, Ryan helps teams align with financial constraints, navigate challenging existing conditions, and develop clear, realistic paths to execution. He focuses on delivering solutions that are buildable, thoughtful, and positioned for long-term success.</p><p>At the core of Ryan’s work is a passion for translating ambitious ideas into spaces that perform—balancing form and function in ways that hold up both on paper and in practice.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>CONTACT:</strong></p><p><a href="http://www.ricca.com"><u>www.ricca.com</u></a> </p><p><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/rmikita"><u>www.linkedin.com/in/rmikita</u></a> </p><p><a href="http://www.instagram.com/mister_mikita"><u>www.instagram.com/mister_mikita</u></a> </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Where To Find Us:</strong></p><p>https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/</p><p>www.advancedglazings.com</p><p>https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcast</p><p>www.linkedin.com/in/advanced-glazings-ltd-848b4625</p><p>https://twitter.com/bbfhpod</p><p>https://twitter.com/Solera_Daylight</p><p>https://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/</p><p>https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltd</p><p>https://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd</p>