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  • SIGHTGLASS DIVISADERO | Studio BBA Architects | Studio BBA Architects

    DIVISADERO, SAN FRANCISCO | Master List SIGHTGLASS DIVISADERO DIVISADERO, SAN FRANCISCO Each Sightglass we’ve designed over the years has had its own inherent character and opportunities, on top of which we layer the radiant, warm, tactile brick-and-mortar brand we developed for them. And this 100+ year old Edwardian was no exception. A chic storefront now welcomes coffee-lovers—the result of a lengthy change-of-use permit process and structural upgrade. Reminiscent of a 1950s eatery, we lovingly restored the divided-light clerestory windows, commissioned steel doors with related glazing details, and added a walk-up service window. Inside the café everything is new, and highly customized, as is the case with all our Sightglass cafés. Tailormade chandeliers and fixtures, fittings, joinery, furniture and barista equipment contribute to a fine tuned, attentively detailed environment. Material and finish choices blend inspiration from various eras to create a sophisticated aesthetic—the ‘old world’ hand-chopped mosaic tile floor, mid-century tapered wood detailing, neoclassical plaster and grey Fume limestone, and turn-of the century utilitarian metal components. The cypress used throughout the interior is single-source; literally from one tree. Continuing our banquette concept from Sightglass 20th , this one was designed with bays and channel tufted leather backs—and with the comfort for various size groups and wheelchair accessibility in mind. A full-height merchandise shelf with pastry case and iced bottled beverage display distinguish the coffee bar. For the bathroom wall tile we designed a ‘wallpaper & wainscot’ pattern, and replicated this decorative motif in custom accessories and mechanisms. Modern systems such as radiant floor heating, LED lighting and a hidden ADA lift are seamlessly integrated. Client Sightglass Coffee BBA Team Seth Boor Bonnie Bridges Anand Sheth Size 1,750 SF Contractor SmithBuilt Collaborators Structural: Simpson Gumpertz & Heger MEP: MHC Engineers Photography Bruce Damonte Back to Projects page Back to top

  • SIGHTGLASS SFMOMA | Studio BBA Architects | Studio BBA Architects

    DOWNTOWN, SAN FRANCISCO | Master List SIGHTGLASS SFMOMA DOWNTOWN, SAN FRANCISCO Our longstanding relationship with Sightglass Coffee continues at SFMOMA, with a café that intervenes where the gestural, formal Snøhetta expansion meets the pure, symmetrical, geometric volumes of the Botta interior. It was an immense pleasure to design at the intersection of this larger aesthetic conversation. We took the opportunity to create an original, site-specific solution for this Sightglass, deviating from the local architectural brand we developed for their first two locations. By playfully twisting the café’s main façade—using curvaceous custom concrete panels around a strict symmetry—the design fills our given niche while mingling with the surrounding museum interior. The curved façade also fulfills a demand for highly efficient service areas, in response to the café’s small footprint and high-volume location. A palette of concrete, natural maple, blackened steel and soft museum white reflects the refined modernity of the transformed museum, and features custom designed and fabricated elements including the bar and light fixtures. Client Sightglass Coffee BBA Team Seth Boor Bonnie Bridges Anand Sheth Size 390 SF Contractor Architect of Record: EHDD Associate Architect: Snøhetta Collaborators Fabricator: Concreteworks Millwork: Acosta & Sons Inc Photography F. Jason Campbell Back to Projects page Back to top

  • TARTINE MANUFACTORY LA | Studio BBA Architects | Studio BBA Architects

    LOS ANGELES | Master List TARTINE MANUFACTORY LA LOS ANGELES The vast, two-story SoCal abode we’ve designed for Tartine Manufactory DTLA houses an ecosystem of high-volume artisanal food and beverage concepts, including food production, restaurants, cafes and a marketplace under one umbrella. Occupying an entire building at ROW DTLA in LA’s Arts District, the site has ties to Tartine’s value for local ingredients and farmers as it was originally home to the LA Terminal Market—the center of produce distribution across the region. Through adaptive reuse efforts, it’s now 30+-acres of historic buildings and gardens reborn as a place for culture, retail, eateries, innovation and creativity. Inspired by the intrinsic connection between place-making, process and service, our design team’s approach was to balance the magnitude of the industrial building, with its high ceilings and huge windows, with modern, human-scaled pavilion-like elements that are distinct but interrelated. The Tartine Craft Bakery + Mill is the company’s regional headquarters for Los Angeles bread and pastry production and distribution for which we designed an architectural framework for the large equipment and chose a palette of refined, tactile, utilitarian materials. The highly visible, full-scale operations are punctuated by custom displays of tools and goods to highlight the baking process. Several mills and a grain silo are located in the basement level, as well as a huge coffee roastery using direct trade-purchased beans in collaboration with Califia Farms. A sunken exterior patio flanks one side of the bakery allowing for visual access into the basement coffee roastery, and a gateway into “The Narrows”—a communal alley boasting outdoor seating for each establishment. Across the shared central kitchen is an expansive marketplace with restaurant and ice cream shop. For the small market we were inspired by the circumstantial charm of an urban apartment pantry. Custom display shelving and lighting emphasize the curated selection of seasonal produce, gourmet foods and artful kitchen goods. The casual, accessible, boisterous market restaurant features a related palette to that of the bakery, and is designed with areas that cater to both lingering meals and hastier bites. Tartine’s Cookies+Cream is an ice cream shop and café, oriented toward a large transaction window, allowing for quick service and giving patrons proximity to the café seating along an elevated catwalk. An oasis of its own, Coffee Lab is an experimental station where coffee enthusiasts can witness the roasting process and taste micro-lot coffees. We purposefully separated the Lab from the bustling complex in an elegant jewel box where patrons can stay to interact with the experimenters or enjoy their coffee at the outdoor patio’s custom sculptural drink rail surrounded by coffee plants. Naturally varied mosaic tile serves as a backdrop to the sample roaster and custom wall of archival cabinetry. Large roll-up doors open onto the building’s breezeway and encourage a sense of discovery in the entry sequence. Continuing down “The Narrows” a densely planted trellis canopy marks the entry to the dinner restaurant, another collaboration of Tartine and Bianco. Our design alludes to the enchanting qualities of a kitchen garden—the intimate exterior bar and dining room are filled with aromatic herbs and colorful citrus while the warm, familiar dining rooms provide homes for the chef’s father’s oil paintings and other curios. Client Tartine Bakery BBA Team Bonnie Bridges Seth Boor Anand Sheth Size 38,500 SF Contractor Howard CDM Collaborators Architect of Record: House & Robertson Architects Associate Architect: Osvaldo Maiozzi Photography Jakob Layman Karyn Millet Back to Projects page Back to top

  • THUMBTACK LIBRARY | Studio BBA Architects | Studio BBA Architects

    SOMA, SAN FRANCISCO | Master List THUMBTACK LIBRARY SOMA, SAN FRANCISCO The Thumbtack Library showcases the relationship of trust fostered between the client and Studio BBA. As a 5x repeat client, we were so excited to collaborate and experiment with Thumbtack as we all tackled the future of workplace in the middle of a pandemic. During the pandemic, Thumbtack made the decision to become an all-virtual company. Instead of traditional offices, they created a plan for four “libraries” across the globe for socializing, gathering and connection. With this directive, we’ve created something entirely new. Libraries are strategically located as a resource to employees globally to allow for connections, community and socializing in-real-life. This partnership resulted in a truly iterative process upheld by the strong ethos of Thumbtack’s Head of People and a committed and supportive Landlord team. Thumbtack is evolving and transforming, and their new space reflects that, meeting them in their commitment to equity. The library is not a one solution fits all. By creating a spectrum of places, the library offers neighborhoods from noisy and extroverted, to quiet and pensive. Spaces support independent laptop work, but also phone booths for private calls, or high-back feet-up lounge chairs for soaking in the view while thinking. Other experiments in the office include providing phone booths large enough to act as offices for acoustic privacy for executives and staff discussing confidential information. Client Thumbtack BBA Team Bonnie Bridges Samantha Buckley Vishnu Balunsat Size 20,000 SF Contractor MCS Collaborators MEP: ACIES Structural: Magnusson Klemencic Associates Furniture: Pear Workplace Solutions Plants: The Plant People Signage + Branding: Tinkering Monkey Photography Victor Goods Back to Projects page Back to top

  • EQUATOR MARKET STREET | Studio BBA Architects | Studio BBA Architects

    MARKET ST, SAN FRANCISCO | Master List EQUATOR MARKET STREET MARKET ST, SAN FRANCISCO Equator’s San Francisco debut—following two Marin cafés in Tam Valley and Mill Valley —is right next door to the historic Warfield Theater in the heart of the red hot Mid-Market rejuvenation. Guided by a neighborhood in transition and the urban elements of downtown’s ‘main drag,’ we kept the interior’s existing mottled concrete and added a new exterior-feeling brick wall. The café’s street cred is enhanced by a new, signature Mona Caron mural, whose work captures site-specific history and future, and a cat-walk-inspired, custom LED light fixture giving nod to neighboring theaters. The coffee roastery and retail displays are situated to take advantage of copious light from south-facing windows. A white stone and mahogany bar adds a touch of classy newness in contrast to the urban environs. And sunny sidewalk seating will soon be accompanied by a “Marklet ” with a rotating program of local art and events. Client Equator Coffees BBA Team Bonnie Bridges Sarah Fucinaro Size 730 SF Contractor All Phase Construction Collaborators Custom Fixture: Malder Lighting Mural: Mona Caron Photography Nicholas V. Ruiz Back to Projects page Back to top

  • STONEMILL MATCHA | Studio BBA Architects | Studio BBA Architects

    SAN FRANCISCO | Master List STONEMILL MATCHA SAN FRANCISCO Stonemill Matcha engaged Studio BBA to design their first tea café location in the U.S. market—for our focus on creating architecture that inspires authentic customer experiences, as well as our expertise in destination café design. Like the Japanese tea ceremony itself, our design centered on the spirit of transformation and translation, and imparting a mindful experience. The resulting aesthetic is a deep and purposeful melding of two cultures and of function and beauty—with finishes and a composition grounded in Japanese traditional design and ritual, in a space infused with local flavor. In particular, Stonemill Matcha’s private tea room blossomed into an exceptionally special place for San Francisco—exuding materiality, tradition, serenity and calm. Soft lighting cascades over the surfaces, and a washi art installation by Eriko Horiki graces the back wall. Before we began the project it was critical to the Stonemill owners that we experience the art of the ancient tea ceremony at its source; to truly understand the ritual and its embodiment. We were invited to Japan and given the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the culture: attending modern, historic and combination ceremonies, staying at a historic Ryokan, meditating in a Kyoto temple, and delighting in the local arts, stores and restaurants. Through our schematic design process we distilled these influences into a totem of sorts, representing to us the idea of these two cultures coming together—a matchstick. The matchstick was chosen for its essential component properties of wood, extruded square, orthogonal strength and scalability, and was used in conceptual modeling for the café’s spatial elements. Client Stonemill Matcha BBA Team Bonnie Bridges Megan McGuinn Size 2,580 SF Contractor ACI General Contractors Collaborators Styling: Nicole Taramibuchi Photography Mariko Reed Back to Projects page Back to top

  • MILI WINE BAR | Studio BBA Architects | Studio BBA Architects

    SAN FRANCISCO | Master List MILI WINE BAR SAN FRANCISCO Mili Wine Bar founders are a successful technology couple who have travelled the world (with wine as their muse) and decided to turn that passion into a local wine bar in San Francisco. While wine is their passion, they are first-time industry owners. They engaged Studio BBA for our expertise in creating well-loved, successful food and beverage places across the Bay Area. We guided the client throughout the process: curating a fantastic consultant team, navigating Landlord approvals, designing a beautiful, functional bar in exceptionally small footprint, and developing a future outdoor bar experience. The client asked for a friendly, well-appointed, neighborhood gathering place that enables connection, debate and discussion while enjoying excellent curated wines from across the globe. In response, we anchored the tiny space with a huge zinc bar. Zinc is a warm, soft grey and malleable (double bubble edge detail) material that carries the history of use over time. It is both timely and timeless and has been used in bars all over the world – and as such resonated with the global wine offerings of the bar. Tables are tucked into the angled niches along the storefront edges. Saturated moments of rust and azure accents provide pops of color and texture to an overall calm and quite palette. As having a gathering place for stories and debate (critical to a functional democracy) was tantamount, we carefully crafted an acoustic environment (within a glass and concrete shell) to allow for non-shouting conversation: cork floors, tectum ceilings, full height wine display shelves (with nooks and crannies to dissipate sound waves) and acoustic curtains. Situated on the corner near the Bay, Mili is a billboard to the bay with stunning views of the Bay Bridge. Client Mili Wine Bar BBA Team Bonnie Bridges Tara Rajan Vishnu Balunsat Size 1,270 SF Contractor Cookline Collaborators MEP Engineering: ACIES Lighting Design: Pritchard Peck Branding: Ray Studio Owners Representative & Styling: Whisk Photography Molly Decoudreaux Back to Projects page Back to top

  • FLATIRON WINES | Studio BBA Architects | Studio BBA Architects

    SAN FRANCISCO | Master List FLATIRON WINES SAN FRANCISCO This prominent New York city retailer, known for their incredible breadth of wine and friendly experts, came to us to design their second U.S. shop—a ‘super boutique’ in San Francisco’s storied Palace Hotel. The Palace location inherently elevated the design language with a sense of elegance and tradition, relating well to their vintner and collector relationships. But equally important was the need to set a social, welcoming tone, to maintain their appeal for all levels of enthusiasts. Our work was cut out for us, as the square footage and location were perfect for the client but existing conditions posed a couple big challenges. The first task was to remedy layers of dated renovations, for which we decided it was necessary to mount a major cleanup and strip the space down to its shell. The other challenge was addressing the labyrinthine structure of the space, compartmentalized in a series of little rooms and long corridors. We chose to use this historic framework to Flatiron’s advantage, creating a place in which to wander, get lost and delight in discovery, as you would in a library. For each of the retailer’s functions we created a distinct room, maintaining separation while opening up varying sightlines. Intentional, meandering pathways allow customers to explore arbitrarily, balanced by clear ‘boulevards’ for a more direct course. The two types of circulation are distinguished by subtle changes in floor finish, matte and bright pendant lighting, and articulated thresholds. Literally miles of custom shelving in white oak and raw steel allow for displaying Flatiron’s vast offerings (over 4,000 bottles of wine and spirits), and distinguish the tasting rooms and lovely and intimate spirits room. The street-level, light-filled tasting room connects to city life through large windows. The private, basement-level tasting cave is an introspective space for the visitor to discover. The décor is a mix of classic, contemporary and industrial, with feature lighting and vintage furnishings and art. Client Flatiron Wines BBA Team Bonnie Bridges Anand Sheth Size 5,800 SF Contractor Northern Sun Collaborators Fabricator: Boden Alexander Photography Nicholas V. Ruiz Back to Projects page Back to top

  • SHRADER | Studio BBA Architects | Studio BBA Architects

    SAN FRANCISCO | Master List SHRADER SAN FRANCISCO We designed this Cole Valley renovation for a young family of three as their ‘forever home’. Excited to revive the house and make it their own, and committed to the design and building process, the clients goals for us were to maximize the quality of the spaces and to keep costs to a minimum. A new, central, skylit stair connects the three floors, sending daylight streaming into every nook of the home’s large footprint throughout the day. We introduced a modern and subtly playful aesthetic to the interiors, with clean lines and focused material choices, as well as a strong visual and physical relationship from the interiors to the west-facing backyard—a coveted find in San Francisco. Client Confidential BBA Team Bonnie Bridges Sarah Fucinaro Size 3,500 SF Contractor Hughes McGinnis Builders Collaborators Interiors: Alycia Freeman, Fix Interiors Photography Nicholas V. Ruiz Back to Projects page Back to top

  • 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

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