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  • DAVID RIO CHAI BAR | Studio BBA Architects | Studio BBA Architects

    SAN FRANCISCO | Master List DAVID RIO CHAI BAR SAN FRANCISCO David Rio’s brand is embodied by the tiger in their logo — fearless, bold and confident — and instilled with the ideals of peaceful energy, fine craftsmanship and a love of what they do. A café, beer/wine bar and experimental lab in one, Chai Bar San Francisco is the company’s first brick-and-mortar. Studio BBA’s design for this high profile, Market Street flagship translates the brand into visually rich spatial elements that evoke the sensory, rejuvenating nature of making, serving and enjoying teas. David Rio teas originate from environments around the globe, inspiring our bold use of color, lighting and materials. Custom built-ins and interactive niches for product discovery offer variations in shape and scale throughout the cafe’s interior. At the center of the space, patrons gather round to watch the tea-crafting process. A welcoming, upholstered banquette runs the entire length of one wall, drawing you to the back of the space and the Chai Lab, where staff and patrons collaborate with the products—creating new mixes on the spot, getting feedback on trial concoctions, and creating personalized tea blends. Client David Rio BBA Team Bonnie Bridges Stephanie Griffith Size 2,600 SF Contractor Terra Nova Industries Collaborators Photography Nicholas V. Ruiz Back to Projects page Back to top

  • VALLEY | Studio BBA Architects | Studio BBA Architects

    SAN FRANCISCO | Master List VALLEY SAN FRANCISCO We helped our clients realize their vision for this remodel within their budget, by focusing on a couple sweet spots. The outcome is a stunning, airy home that honors its 1910 Victorian identity while embodying the modern soul and eye of its style-conscious owners. Our design reflects the Japanese aesthetic ideals of beauty through simplicity, and intentional use of space. The material palette is accordingly limited and refined, with honed Carrera marble, pale grey custom cabinets, black steel and painted accents, and bleached and whitewashed red oak floors. The aforementioned sweet spots are the open kitchen and dining area. These spaces enjoy sweeping views of the Bay, gained by advising the client to remove a pair of ramshackle utility porches off the rear of the building. A new lower level required excavation and structural upgrades, adding a family hangout area, laundry and bathroom. The rest of the house enjoyed a renewal via modest but well executed refinishing and details. For energy efficiency and sustainability the building envelope was heavily insulated, enabling the house to be heated by a single, freestanding, high-efficiency gas fireplace in the dining room. We placed new operable windows and doors in strategic locations to provide passive cooling. The process of building this project was as delightful as the design phase. We were lucky to work with a small, experienced, craft-oriented construction team who had exquisite attention to detail and executed with a high level of refinement. Client Confidential BBA Team Bonnie Bridges Size 1,000 SF Contractor Fine European Construction Collaborators Metalworker: Chris Jordan Metal Photography F. Jason Campbell Back to Projects page Back to top

  • San Francisco Residential Architect | Custom Homes & Remodels | STUDIO BBA

    We're a San Francisco architecture firm specializing in custom homes, renovations, additions, and new builds throughout the Bay Area. We guide you from planning and permitting through construction, designing spaces that feel good and invite you to linger—beautiful, functional homes that are deeply personal and rooted in how you actually live. RESIDENTIAL

  • MAMAHUHU CLEMENT | Studio BBA Architects | Studio BBA Architects

    CLEMENT, SAN FRANCISCO | Master List MAMAHUHU CLEMENT CLEMENT, SAN FRANCISCO Studio BBA’s design of Mamahuhu, a casual Chinese-American restaurant in the Inner Richmond, can be described as a fresh expression of its cuisine — forward-thinking, lighthearted, and a tad eccentric. Striving to satisfy a craving for nostalgic flavors done in a modern and healthful way, Mamahuhu owners, Chef Brandon Jew of Mister Jiu’s (another Studio BBA-designed restaurant) and Ben Moore and Anmao Sun of Hunter Gatherer, called on BBA to create an elevated but accessible design. The space accommodates counter-service style dining with a resolved option for guests to be in and out quickly without disrupting the vibrant dining experience. To execute the owners’ vision for a fun, easy and casual environment that calls to mind Chinese-American heritage, BBA employed unexpected design choices through architectural details and materials that support the brand experience. A mix of high and low materials strike the right balance between approachable and refined. From the exterior, variegated storefront tiling welcomes guests and just inside, a vintage lantern at the frontmost communal table sets the stage for an experience. The story continues through arched openings and unique design details like tile stripes in the dining area and a sculptural skylight condition above the point-of-sale and in the bathroom. BBA’s design considers everyone’s experience — a person waiting in the queue, a single diner, family dining, takeout, delivery, while up leveling the kitchen and front of house staff. The entire space is methodically designed to encourage social interactions with flexible seating opportunities and ample circulation space. A large, bar-height table for big groups and single diners alike activate the storefront. Beyond, cozy booths with low lighting provide intimate eddies in the middle of the flow of circulation and flexible two tops and banquette seating offer additional dining options. A clearly defined queue manages busy lines and takeout, eliminating confusion. Design aesthetics complement the colorful cuisine, letting the food speak for itself and providing a warm dining opportunity on an overcast day in the Inner Richmond. Client Mamahuhu BBA Team Bonnie Bridges Megan McGuinn Anand Sheth Size 1,900 SF Contractor Echo Summit Construction Collaborators MEP: MK Engineers Kitchen Consultant: Design West Partnership Photography Mariko Reed Back to Projects page Back to top

  • TONG SUI | Studio BBA Architects | Studio BBA Architects

    MOUNTAIN VIEW | Master List TONG SUI MOUNTAIN VIEW Currently under construction, opening in 2026. Tong Sui is a popular specialty drink and pudding shop with a simple philosophy: real, fresh, and seasonal ingredients, made daily. As the brand grew across multiple locations across the Bay Area, the owners brought in Studio BBA for their newest location in Mountain View, refining the design of their physical space to better reflect the quality and care that does into their products. Our design concept, organic minimalism, was inspired by Tong Sui's commitment to sourcing fresh & natural ingredients. The space is light, airy, and refined, using tactile materials like textured plaster, stone, warm wood, and tile in Tong Sui's signature green. Client Tong Sui BBA Team Bonnie Bridges Samantha Buckley Elle Edeker Claire Adams Size 700 SF Contractor Collaborators Photography Back to Projects page Back to top

  • STRIPE - PIONEER | Studio BBA Architects | Studio BBA Architects

    SAN FRANCISCO | Master List STRIPE - PIONEER SAN FRANCISCO Occupying 23,000 sq. ft. of the landmark Pioneer Building , Studio BBA’s design for Stripe’s new headquarters provides a cohesive, connected spatial experience between three floors and two buildings, accomplished within a fairly tight budget and an extremely tight time frame. Stripe sought out Studio BBA to shepherd their complete process: space planning, Schematic Design, Design Development, interior graphics, furniture coordination, Construction Documentation, project administration, accessories, and art procurement. To relate to their densely-populated Mission District location, we realized their vision for an informal work environment that maintained its connection to the city and the needs of its urban dwelling staff, as well as the feel of their previously close-knit work environment (40 people in 4,000 sq. ft.). For us the project epitomizes “Jane Jacobs in an office”, an organically structured interior that will celebrate the beauty of growth over time. On arrival, Stripe’s waiting room is marked by intentional, subtle details in the signage and furnishings, enough to pique one’s interest while settling in. But bolder moves await inside. A new three-story blackened steel stair unifies the floors, providing a visual and physical relationship between spaces, enhanced with first and third floor garden lounges—one prim and proper, the other wild and overgrown—that invite exploration and connectivity. Myriad communal workspaces occur throughout the offices, from bar-height common tables to artful jungle lounges, and a series of progressively private ”code caves” provides the staff of software programmers a variety of code-writing environments. The ground-floor utilizes space that was formerly a garage for a professional kitchen, a rustic, comfortable lunchroom and an adjacent outdoor patio with covered bike rack structure, tumbled-brick pavers and café-style lighting. A library lounge flanks the busy lunchroom path, offering reprieve; the idea of a quiet introspective space; books as ornaments. On the third floor, a speak-easy bar provides a central gathering place and much-needed ‘time out’ for a work force that often burns the midnight oil. Client Stripe BBA Team Bonnie Bridges Seth Boor Size 28,000 SF Contractor Peacock Construction Collaborators Structural: Structural Design Engineers Photography Bruce Damonte Back to Projects page Back to top

  • STRIPE - CHINA BASIN | Studio BBA Architects | Studio BBA Architects

    SAN FRANCISCO | Master List STRIPE - CHINA BASIN SAN FRANCISCO Casual, human-scaled, residential-style workspaces are key design elements that have shaped the work we have done with Stripe over the last three years – such as their former HQ at the Pioneer Trunk Factory – where the historic timber building played a key role in their aesthetics and culture. Fast forward to 2016, their rapid growth (a unicorn in tech) demanded much larger space. We provided property evaluation services during the long and arduous search, culminating in one of the largest lease deals of the year – 300,000 SF on Townsend Street – in an entitled, but not yet built space that was two years out (had not even broken ground when they signed the lease). Unable to stay at the beloved HQ during this two-year period, they subleased a space at China Basin from the previous tenant, Dropbox HQ – a space we designed in 2013 – for an interim move. Given our insights into Stripe’s culture and the desire to make their interim transition as smooth as possible, they engaged us to re-design Dropbox’s 105,000 SF. We kept many of the well-appointed design elements (solid walnut paneling, copper bars, commercial kitchen) at the same time transforming the context from boastful masculine to gender fluid and achieve a holistic feel with an artful combination of new, old and inherited. To humanize the huge, 85,000 SF 4th floor, we introduced three new thresholds that are abstractions of money – barter, coin, and digital. In addition to the thresholds, we humanized the space by creating residential-scaled nooks and break out spaces for small group collaborations. Via complete architecture and interior design services including programming, FFE and sourcing and curation of art and accessories, we created a Stripe culture. Examples of this include meeting rooms furnished with sofas, armchairs, end tables and lamps, and tactile finishes, new light fixtures and a warm color palette (versus table and chairs, one accent wall and overhead lighting). The artwork for each area is themed with a different animal—yes there’s a skunk and a sloth. And Stripe amiably insisted on bringing the hanging globe sculpture that Studio BBA staff handmade for the former HQ, which now lights their new library. For companies at this stage of rapid growth, there are fundamental design challenges to balance caution and budget-conscious thinking with the founding freedom and energy. We were able to help Stripe make this transition gracefully by using resourceful design strategies to successfully translate their core culture values into an interim space, all within a tight budget and a compressed schedule. To support the future evolution of Stripe’s human centered environment, we implemented a series of Beta tests (to be used in the Townsend space) such as mobile teleconferencing, genius bar for IT support, and circadian rhythm lighting for the open office areas. Client Stripe BBA Team Bonnie Bridges Anand Sheth Size 105,000 SF Contractor Principal Builders Collaborators Lighting: Hiram Banks Photography Jasper Sanidad Back to Projects page Back to top

  • HARTFORD | Studio BBA Architects | Studio BBA Architects

    SAN FRANCISCO | Master List HARTFORD SAN FRANCISCO Clients new to San Francisco, with a love of modern, came to us to design a spacious, light-filled urban sanctuary within the context of their newly-purchased 1890s Victorian. Minor updates to the historic façade maintain the original sense of privacy, but new visual connections to the outside are enjoyed throughout the thoroughly remodeled interior. A large skylight with exposed beams spans the front living spaces, accentuating new openness where the center hallway formerly enclosed the entry. A family of integral gray materials—counters, fireplace surround, and dual-glazed tile by Heath—articulates the spaces and provides a background for the clients’ personal art and furniture collection. Through large openings in the rear, the new great room and intimate patio area become one large entertaining, dining and living space, with lighting, power, and heating systems that make the outdoor area usable on even the foggiest San Francisco evenings. A climate-appropriate garden is being created by the landscape-savvy client with the help of Flora Grubb Gardens. Client Confidential BBA Team Bonnie Bridges Sarah Fucinaro Size 1,400 SF Contractor Saturn Construction Collaborators Structural: Semco Engineering Soils: Earth Mechanics Consulting Engineers Photography Sharon Risedorph Back to Projects page Back to top

  • TARTINE INNER SUNSET | Studio BBA Architects | Studio BBA Architects

    SAN FRANCISCO | Master List TARTINE INNER SUNSET SAN FRANCISCO Tartine Inner Sunset was instantly inspired by The Park, we have occupied the gardens ourselves for many years in many ways. This restaurant serves as the perfect post-park picnic – a hospitable extension of the constructed natural resource that anchors the neighborhood. The entry sequence is purely romantic – like entering Golden Gate Park, it’s the way “in” that sets the tone for your journey. Patrons enter through an existing roll-up door (relic) into an open-air walled garden with an aperture through the ceiling (surprise). Indoor vs. outdoor is a construct we don’t need – so we use every visual and tactile clue to blur the boundary: high ceilings and various skylights add loftiness to the greenhouse and are grounded by exterior tongue-and-groove siding and polished concrete floors. Studio BBA was engaged to design Tartine’s fourth Bay Area restaurant while we were constructing The Manufactory LA , allowing for the emergent process of design to shape this new space (a former roofing warehouse with a rich history ). We are continuing to iterate these ideas within their next location in Berkeley, in construction now. There is nothing to “roll out” and no mandates on continuity, only the desire to approach our circumstances with strategy and authenticity. New custom elements relate via a play on white, with accenting materials pulled from The Sunset District. White factory-sash storefronts, sliding doors and the one-off pastry case evoke a greenhouse’s utility, and subtly nod to the custom details we developed for the Manufactory LA. Black & white terrazzo is ubiquitous in the neighborhood, used on stoops and window sills all over, and now used in the restaurant as counters and custom furniture. The back of house is as important; the intricately dialed-in details are flooded with natural light. Vibrant poppy-colored tile is installed to reference terracotta planters filled with California’s flora. Client Tartine Bakery BBA Team Bonnie Bridges Megan McGuinn Size 2,958 SF Contractor Echo Summit Construction Collaborators MEP: Acies Engineering Structural: Degenkolb KEC: Myers Rest. Supply, Inc. Photography Eric Rorer Photography Back to Projects page Back to top

  • AUBURN HOUSE | Studio BBA Architects | Studio BBA Architects

    AUBURN | Master List AUBURN HOUSE AUBURN Set on 100 acres in the Sierra Foothills, the Auburn House embodies the simple, casual and hardy spirit of a modern farmhouse. Through its orientation, sustainable systems and material palette, the home embodies the pastoral and inspiring landscape of lakes, blue oaks, manzanitas and grasses. Anchored into the natural slope of the terrain through a board-form concrete retaining wall, the house is quietly positioned between the idyllic stream-fed lake below and rocky granite outcropping above. The concrete wall’s earthen thermal mass cools the interior, crucial to mitigating the dry, hot summers. On the north side of the house two dormers pop up to allow for picture views toward the rocky terrain. These, along with the operable skylights throughout the house, supply passive cooling and ventilation and diffused natural light. The compact, 2,700 SF house has two wings: the public wing that includes living/dining/kitchen, wine cellar, pantry and powder room, and the private wing that consists of the master suite, media room and guest bedroom. This wing is slightly canted to capture views of a large cluster of native blue oaks. A large, linear patio connects the two wings with outdoor lounge areas, garden beds, cedar trellis and a deep overhang on the south side offering shade for relaxation and family gatherings. A 75-foot lap pool parallels the patio and reflects the native oak landscape. Meandering paths crisscross the site and invite tranquil walking meditation. Client Confidential BBA Team Bonnie Bridges Stephanie Griffith Size 2,700 SF Contractor Saturn Construction Collaborators Structural: Nellie Ingraham Civil: Atteberry & Associates Surveyor: Andregg Geomatics Geotechnical: Holdrege & Kull Photography Bruce Damonte Studio BBA Back to Projects page Back to top

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Studio BBA acknowledges the Ramaytush Ohlone people as the traditional custodians of the land where we work and reside. We pay our respects to their Elders and all Ramaytush Ohlone people past, present and future.​

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Studio BBA   921 Larkin Street  

San Francisco CA

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