How one architecture student turned a pub-crawling project into a global business

In the 1970s, an Irish architecture student began measuring pubs to understand their design. This academic pursuit evolved into a thriving international business that now exports authentic Irish pub interiors to locations around the world.

Mel McNally, an architecture student in the 1970s, spent his final year visiting famous Dublin pubs with sketchbooks and measuring tape. His goal was to identify the specific design elements that define the atmosphere and functionality of a traditional Irish pub.

These findings became the foundation for a business that ships complete pub interiors globally inside 40-foot containers. By standardizing the essential components of the Irish pub experience, McNally provides clients worldwide with an authentic aesthetic.

Source: You Can Find An Irish Pub Wherever You Go | Planet Money | NPR