In starting the initial round of work, in a 750 sf storefront in Culver City, the baker-owners mentioned they had family members who worked in tile installation and steel fabrication. Together, we collaborated on the design and creation of the space’s elements: a built-in cantilevered steel bench, steel and tile tables, tiled countertops and tiled kitchen walls with custom patterns. We were also able to work with the owners’ family friend, a potter, in the design of custom, hand thrown ceramic light fixtures and plates.

When the owners decided to double the size of their lease, we worked with them to determine how the two spaces should speak to each other. We decided to create a mirrored kitchen on the opposite side of their newly enlarged space that could hold a new Italian pizza oven and operations for coffee, cooking and pastry. Retaining and expanding the original baking kitchen allowed for the breadmaking operation to run full-time, helping their bottom line.

The challenge was getting the two spaces to speak to each other. Our solution is a mirrored kitchen in the newly enlarged space that houses an authentic Italian pizza oven. The original baking kitchen is still being used, and serves as a full-time bread-making operation. A conditional use permit (CUP) was attained to allow for bar service so patrons can move casually within the restaurant.

Given the space’s location on a busy stretch of Washington Boulevard, we took the opportunity in the second phase to pull the storefront entry back from the street. We then inserted a covered outdoor seating area with skylights, built-in cantilevered tile benches and countertops and a new custom steel-and-glass storefront.

Completed project photography by Emi Kiwataki.