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Choose highlighted images for clickable links to projects, news or client and vendor friends. (For our website, click on logo above.)

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This 8,905 SF auditorium, designed in collaboration with Lillian Mitchell of Mitchell Holladay Architects, will be a true campus hub for St. Patrick Parish School in Rodeo, CA. Both a dedicated performance venue and flexible gathering space, the auditorium will host theater productions, assemblies, and special events. Built at $330/SF, the project demonstrates how thoughtful design and construction decisions can deliver serious value. A prefabricated structural steel frame and durable metal panel cladding keep costs efficient while maintaining long-term resilience. The glazed entry lobby brings lots of natural light to the building, while the nearby covered outdoor space allows events to extend outside. New concrete walkways and landscaping create a welcoming outdoor atmosphere for the whole school community to enjoy. These renderings were developed using a combination of SketchUp and AI tools.
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It’s our pleasure to welcome Bay Area native Dylan Moredock-Ting to the Studio KDA team! A graduate of Pratt Institute, Dylan brings both an artist eye and technical expertise to the firm. In addition to his design skills, Dylan has hands-on construction experience working on building renovations and new ADUs. Dylan also expresses his love of fabrication with his affinity for balanced and elegant forms through his textural and refined ceramic pieces. Welcome, Dylan! 🎉
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@thefairwaylounge has been busy this winter! Designed to bring fun to Fresno during cold, rainy January days and 110° summer days alike, the Central Valley’s top indoor golf spot is a year-round attraction. We visited a few weeks ago to take some pictures, and couldn’t resist sharing! We wanted the interior to evoke the landscape of a golf course. A blue-stained concrete entry floor mimics a flowing river, and the curved ceiling and wall shapes evoke sky and rolling hills. And we commissioned Oakland’s @locallanguageart to fabricate our design for the 3D topographic line art that hangs above the bar. Ultimately, we were looking to create a relaxing and immersive space that creates opportunities for people to hang out, golf, and enjoy great food. Golfers can enjoy the Lounge’s full-service restaurant, cocktail bar, and VIP membership room while they play on some of the latest simulator tech, including a @puttview augmented reality putting green, and 6 @golfzon_america golf simulator bays featuring different swing surfaces, high-speed swing tracking, and the chance to play iconic professional courses from around the world.  We salute the whole Fairway Lounge team on their upcoming one year anniversary and look forward to hearing more about their success! 🌿🏌️‍♂️ Photos by @eurydice.photo
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In a nice little wrap-up to 2025, @arquetrestaurant was named one of the “Top Ten Best New San Francisco Restaurants” by @sfstandard! We are honored to be a part of the design of this exquisite space.
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Bonne ouverture, @barpanisse_! 🎉🥂 It has been an honor to work with the Chez Panisse team to fully transform this space and reflect the spirit of @chezpanisse. Warmth and conviviality have always defined the iconic Chez Panisse ethos and translate easily to this bustling, communal bar. Handcrafted, artisanal materials abound in this welcoming setting, including a French pewter bar top, custom lighting, vintage mirrors, ruffled steel table bases, and local artwork. Bar Panisse features handcrafted black walnut angled panels from Paco Prieto of @pacassagroup, cast-glass bar pendants by Napa artist Erica Huether, decorative railings from @bondimetals, custom copper sconces from @metrolightingca, Venetian plaster by @level_5_design, a @meyersoundlabs sound system, and a custom neon sign by Jim Rizzo of Neon works (with a hand-drawn sign and menu font by artist Patricia Curtan!) Many thanks to contractor Eric Pocci, Zac Thomas, and to the entire Chez Panisse team - this was a true design collaboration and it was a pleasure making this new vision come to life with you! Photos by @kristenloken photography
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Holiday meal inspiration abounds in this collection of cookbooks from our clients’ restaurants (which also make great gifts!) 🍽️🍾 Pictured: @nite_nite_nite’s brand-new cookbook, My Cambodia, which tells her beautiful story and shares the flavors of @lunette_cambodia In the Green Kitchen from @alicelouisewaters (stay tuned for more on @barpanisse_, which opened this week 👀) Fields of Greens from the iconic @greensrestaurant Two more Ferry Building rockstars, @a16lapala Food and Wine and Arabiyya from @reemscalifornia Recipes from @burmasuperstar, with whom we’ve now done four different projects @nopalitosf, one of our first clients to have a cookbook Our Homeroom clients Mac and Cheese cookbook and Allison Arevalo’s Pasta Friday (swipe for a picture of @maritesabueg with @allisonlarevalo of @pastalouise in this one!)
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@arquetrestaurant is open!! 
We’re thrilled to share a sneak peek of this new 8,500-sq.-ft. addition to the @sfferrybuilding, occupying the iconic former Slanted Door space. Every table in the restaurant offers unobstructed views of both the Bay Bridge and the open, stage-like kitchen. Lighting is the invisible powerhouse of this space, giving the room softness, rhythm, and warmth.  “Arquet” means “little arch.” The space is shaped by soft curves that provide both openness and intimacy. The design of Arquet blends Oaxacan craftsmanship, Japanese restraint, Nordic quiet, and Californian brightness into one calm, crafted whole – just as Chef @alexohong ’s take on new California cuisine blends top-quality, locally sourced ingredients with inspiration from all over the world. Congratulations to the entire team at @arquetrestaurant, and many thanks to collaborators @domeconstruction, @hudsonppi, @bankslandllightingdesign, @metrolightingca, and @jeredspottery who were so phenomenal to work with on this project. A toast to all of you! 🥂 Photos by @kristenloken 📸
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Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🍁🍽 We had an office holiday potluck lunch last week with dishes representing Indian, Korean, Chinese, Filipino, and Russian cuisines. The feast included chicken & tofu adobo, Russian Olivier, moon cakes, tteokbokki, plum apple pie, and baklava - yum! From our table to yours, we hope you have a holiday full of deliciousness and togetherness.
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From the team behind @protegepaloalto comes @barunderdogpa! 🎉🥂 This is our second design project with the Protégé team, and while the food and cocktails at Bar Underdog have a Michelin-starred sensibility, the vibe is down-to-earth. The spirit of the underdog is front and center in this richly layered space, which features a gallery wall of framed “underdog” pictures, including Rocky and the Jamaican bobsled team. Other bespoke details include a glowing gilded wallpaper ceiling, a dramatic shou sugi-ban bar wall of charred Japanese cedar, rich mahogany panels framing the original arched windows, and custom brass bar-top lights by @metrolightingca. Built by the fantastic team at @cooklinesf!  Swipe for a “before” photo - truly a fantastic glow-up for this space. Cheers, and happy opening to the @barunderdogpa team! Photos by @kristenloken
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It’s not often that a new idea in housing makes it from concept to reality — and passes the test. 💡✅🏘️ We’re excited to share Poet’s Place, a new co-living environment that recently opened in Berkeley. The project blends the privacy of traditional apartments with the social connections of co-living. Each resident has their own compact unit with a kitchenette, while large shared kitchens and lounges on each floor invite people to cook, hang out, and build community. By rethinking how space is shared, we were able to fit more units per floor than a typical apartment layout — leading to lower rents for residents, stronger returns for the owner, and a model that we believe has tremendous potential to help address the Bay Area’s housing challenges in a small but meaningful way. Photos by @kengutmaker
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Celebrating a few days of Indian Summer with the completion of this warm, light-filled addition in the Berkeley Hills. 🍂☀️ A new primary suite opens to a series of decks and seating areas that curve and wrap to the contours of the house and yard topography. The hot tub and fire pit add additional warmth to this new garden oasis. Enjoy the warm weather this weekend!
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Congrats to @annessopizzeria as one of @resy’s Top 100 restaurants in the country (and Top 20 in California) that according to Resy “...thrill us, serve exceptional food… make us want to return again and again, and define the best of our dining culture today.”! 🎉🍕 “Modern pizza, old world technique” describes the Annesso approach to hand-crafted pizza. This day-to-night spot is the second eatery by local Fresno restaurateur Jimmy Pardini. Annesso initially posed an interesting design challenge for our team: bringing architectural definition to a cookie-cutter space in a new shopping center. We began with an interpretation of the logo (a large letter “A”) as a bold, angled wood ceiling over pizza ovens and the bar to add drama and focus. We then designed unique “seating zones”, with the use of custom curved oak banquettes, creating rooms within the room and a variety of design experiences for guests. To this day, Annesso is known for its environment of warm, vibrant hospitality, along with the excellent food! And thanks to our fave Fresno GC @k6constructioninc for the beautiful work! Photos by @eurydicephoto Link in bio
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Please join us in welcoming Henry Chan to Studio KDA! 🎉 Henry brings a wealth of experience in housing design, retail, office and healthcare tenant improvements, having served as a senior project manager on complex, large-scale projects around the Bay Area. He is known for being a mentor, thoughtful communicator, and collaborative leader—skilled at balancing strong design ideas with constructability and cost considerations. We’re excited to have Henry back in the Bay Area (after several years in Denver) and even more excited to see the expertise, energy, and perspective he’ll bring to our team and clients. Welcome, Henry!
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Our staff had a fantastic time last week doing a color theory workshop led by the fabulous @lenawolffstudio! Choosing color is an inherently complex part of our job, and Lena led our team through fun, hands-on exercises designed for designers and working artists. We reviewed the principles of color relativity through collage and paint-mixing, which was a great way to get creative as a team and physically engage with color relationships!
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Happy Opening, @parachute.bakery! 🥐🥳🎉 After 2 years, part one of our two-part project in the old Slanted Door space is open! Congrats to our Michelin star clients @sorrelrestaurant for the sold-out day one in their new Ferry Building space. We’re excited to finally show our design rendering for the bakery and some BTS construction, including our favorite details, like the inset curved acoustic wood-look felt ceiling, the rolling 8’-0” long point-of-sale counter, and the next-level bakery and cafe equipment. We led a fun in-house staff tour of the space last week. Stay tuned for the upcoming Arquet restaurant next! Thank you to SKDA project manager @vitarey, @domeconstruction, @bankslandllightingdesign, @hudsonpacificproperties, and (of course) clients @alexohong, @joel.wilkerson and @naseer_armar for being phenomenal to work with as this project came to fruition! Credit for some of these photos to @sfferrybuilding and @sf_port 📸⚓️
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Say hello to The Edge, a new student housing project on Bancroft Avenue. This building is finished and ready for students’ return to Berkeley! Featuring a mix of unit types from three to six-bedroom layouts, this 8-story building adds much-needed housing to the area around campus. It also features amenities tailored to students’ needs, including a roof deck with space for grilling and views of campus. We are passionate about improving the state of student housing, for which Berkeley has a critical need. The Edge joins a number of projects we have finished in the last few years to help address that need – and we’re proud to be part of the effort! Photos by @kengutmaker
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Are you an experienced architectural Project Manager with a passion for food & beverage, hospitality, or other technical project types? Join Studio KDA’s Food & Beverage studio and help us bring restaurant, bars, and cafes concepts to life. We’re looking for a project manager with 5+ years of experience in architecture or interior design (bonus if you also have food service or restaurant project experience)! Our ideal candidate can lead projects from initial concept through construction in a supportive, collaborative environment. And if you’ve got design vision, all the better! You’re right for this role if you: ✏️ Can translate a client’s brand into exceptional design with input from Studio leaders. ✏️ Excel at managing consultants, technical drawing sets and at shepherding projects through permitting and construction. ✏️ Work collaboratively with studio principals, clients, production staff and contractors. ✏️ Are well-versed in AutoCAD and SketchUp. ✏️ Love an exciting, rewarding, collaborative environment We offer great benefits, a strong mentorship program and the chance to contribute to some of the Bay’s most vibrant restaurants, bars, and marketplaces. If you’re passionate about creating unforgettable dining experiences and have the skills to contribute to our team, we want to hear from you. Send your resume, portfolio, and cover letter to: jobs@studiokda.com
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This month marks the first anniversary of @dance.luna’s new space! 🎉💃🏻 This project was a total transformation and a fun challenge. Formerly the offices of the East Bay Express, this 1990s building now includes two new dance studios, an elevator, offices, meeting rooms, and a co-working space. There is ample space for the dance education and transformative, community-centric programming offered by Luna Dance and Creativity. We wanted to create an airy, light-filled space, which we accomplished by repurposing the existing office wall framing and cladding it with transparent polycarbonate to allow light to fill the new dance studios. We also opened up the entry floor, creating a parent waiting area and co-working space for dance teachers. Most crucially, we added a new elevator – a tricky puzzle worth solving – by relocating stairs and creating a three-stop shaft, making the building an inclusive space for the whole community. It was a pleasure working with this excellent team, including architect Andrew Woolman, @oliverbuildersinc, @ghostown_woodworks, and, of course, the folks at @dance.luna. Happy one year in your new creative home! 🥳 Photos by @eurydice.photo
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We are delighted to introduce Marco Aguilar, a talented new designer at Studio KDA who is already making an impact across a wide range of project types. A recent Master of Architecture graduate from UCLA, Marco brings a unique blend of creative insight and technical expertise to the team. With a background in both engineering and architecture, he has worked on everything from high-rise residential developments to neighborhood design standards, contributing to community-centered projects at the City of West Hollywood and Ocean Park Mechanical. His collaborative spirit, strong graphic communication skills, and passion for designing spaces that foster human connection align beautifully with Studio KDA’s mission—and we’re thrilled to have him on board!
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Thrilled for @nite_nite_nite and the team at @lunette for being named one of the Top 25 Restaurants in San Francisco Right Now by @nytcooking! The ideal spot for “noodles on the water,” we loved helping Nite translate her vision of “retro diner meets Cambodian night market” into this now-iconic corner space. Lunette was a joy to work on, and a great addition to the @ferrybuilding (which just celebrated its 127th birthday!) And in case you missed it, watch Nite’s story (and the Studio KDA and @Hudsonppi CM team) on Episode 4 of Chef’s table: Noodles. We hope to stop by again soon to slurp down some delicious Cambodian comfort food! Read the NYT article at the link in bio! 📸 by @eurydice.photo
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It’s the perfect time of year to get outside, connect with the animal kingdom, and support your local zoo! We were delighted to work on the design for a zoo’s African savanna-inspired restaurant, — a warm, immersive space with sweeping views of the giraffe habitat. Modeled after a South African lodge, the design features bold patterns, layered natural textures, sculptural woven lighting and indoor trees that bring the outside in. While the project is not currently moving forward, we’re excited to share our design renderings in the hope they spark inspiration.
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A complete re-imagining of San Francisco’s Market Street is no easy feat. This was the challenge set by the Urban Land Instutute San Francisco and the Civic Joy Fund in their Market Street Reimagined design competition: to venture into the speculative possibilities of an urbanism not yet discovered, one that is both economically viable and experientially uplifting. “Uplifting” is key to our submission: Elevate Market Street. We imagined a Market Street where things are looking up - literally. Pedestrians rule the street, while the Gold Rush Zip lines, Barbary Coast gondolas, and vertical cafes and performance spaces take us up into the sky amongst the Market Street towers. Autos and buses relocate to Mission Street, while the historic street cars stay, frozen in time, converted to diners, cafes, and bars. Tourists, day trippers, shoppers and workers throng to the music, food, performance, and sports nodes while the sky is activated overhead. Spaced just a quarter mile apart, the nodes are strung together by a tree-lined promenade and the coolest transportation anywhere. That’s San Francisco, elevated.
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Say hello to the brand-new @nopafishmarket, a seafood market and restaurant from the team at @nopasf! This latest addition to the San Francisco Ferry Building celebrates the sea with locally-sourced seafood and classic San Francisco hospitality, filling a void that was created when the longtime Ferry Building fish market closed in 2020. Patrons have the opportunity to buy fresh fish by the pound or enjoy creative, accessible offerings from the kitchen menu, alongside local wines. We were delighted to contribute to the project with permit drawings, and have been eagerly awaiting its opening! 🐟
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The Freight and Salvage has a long history as a cornerstone of Berkeley’s diverse and innovative arts scene. With over fifty years preserving and promoting live, traditional music rooted in global culture, the Freight is an institution - one that we were excited to contribute to in 2018-2019 as part of an extensive lobby remodel. Our contributions to the lobby remodel included the creation of a formal concessions area with a back-of-house kitchen, a permanent merchandise area, and a flexible stage area with velvet acoustic curtains. We also designed the new custom wood-cut letter signage throughout the lobby, as well as the upgraded ticket booth. Swipe all the way for a “before” image! This Sunday 6/29, the Freight continues its legacy of justice and community-building with a big Pride 2025 concert, highlighting the talent of LGBTQ+ musicians. Learn more about the event at the link in their bio @thefreightberkeley!
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We had a barking good time during Take Your Dog to Work Day last Friday! 🐶 Pictured here are furry friends Freja, Otter, and Finn with human, expert dog handler, and Studio KDA Associate Principal, Darshan Amrit. They were all stellar office dogs - though, admittedly, better at getting pets from our team than posing for pics! Perfect way to celebrate the beginning of the dog days of summer! 🐾☀️
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Taking a beloved neighborhood restaurant and helping it grow into a multi-location regional favorite is a journey we know well. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of working with some of the Bay Area’s most exciting culinary concepts, including icons like @burmasuperstar and @cholitalinda.⁠ Our approach balances consistency with local relevance—each space reflects the essence of the brand while honoring the character of its neighborhood. Hayes Valley’s @teakwood was given a bold and buzzy presentation, with its exposed beams, sculptural lighting, and vivid cultural mural. In contrast, the new Menlo Park iteration offers a softer, more relaxed interpretation—lighter woods, natural light, and botanical colors create a calm, welcoming space that emphasizes comfort and refinement. @cholitalinda, born in Oakland’s Temescal neighborhood, is a vibrant, Latin-inspired concept that’s grown to five Bay Area locations, Its fresh, healthy menu and inviting interiors have helped create a distinct brand identity with broad regional appeal — adaptable, memorable, and rooted in community. For the recent Berkeley location, the design reinforces the indoor-outdoor energy⁠ with wrought iron balconies, awnings and windows and an abundance of tropical plants, transporting guests to a colorful Latin American street.  Swipe for some recent photos of the Burma Love Menlo Park location by @eurydice.photo!
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It’s impossible to imagine the Bay Area’s food culture without the legacy of Alice Waters, @edibleschoolyard, and, of course, @chezpanisse. Netflix’s tribute to @alicelouisewaters in Chef’s Table: Legends beautifully encapsulates the way she popularized the farm-to-table movement, changing the way we eat from the Bay Area to the entire country. It was particularly fun to watch her cook in her home kitchen, which our Food & Beverage studio director co-designed with Alhorn Hooven Design Build in 2008. We’re excited to see (and reveal) what’s next for Alice and Chez Panisse! 🍾🌱🥂More updates to come!
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Salud from our staff! A few weeks ago, we went mezcal tasting at @elpatio510—fun for our team and an excellent research opportunity for the food and beverage studio! Owner Hamei Hamedi (pictured with the Jano Spirits bottle) is a fountain of knowledge about the art of mezcal making. He walked our team through the various traditional methods of making mezcal and shared how mezcaleros (master mezcal makers) create such diverse flavor profiles. We didn’t have to go very far for this experience (it was just a few blocks from our offices), but we felt as though we traveled through engaging with new culinary knowledge! Because we work on so many food and beverage hot spots, we often get asked which ones we recommend. Our newsletter now has a “Marites Recommends” feature, where we share recommendations from the creative force behind our F&B studio! Marites has a keen eye for unique and delicious dining experiences. To read about her recent picks and sign up for future newsletters, visit our website at the link in bio!
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Congrats to Daniel and Shirin, co-owners of @barshiruoakland and @goldpalmoakland, on your feature in @eastbaymagazine! Opened in 2019, Bar Shiru brings music, community and hospitality to Uptown Oakland, revitalizing the neighborhood’s nightlife. As the Bay Area’s first vinyl-only listening bar, Bar Shiru creates a “slow-listening” audiophile experience, limiting the number of patrons to keep the atmosphere intimate. The space was designed with analog music and cozy conversations in mind, featuring acoustic sound panels, decorative wood screens to diffract sound waves, and a 15 foot high “record wall,” (graphically curated by Daniel) the feature of the main space.
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Hats off to the good folks at @goodtimebarsj for making the Chronicle’s list of Top 100 Restaurants in the Bay Area! 🎉 Goodtime Bar serves natural wine and “punchy, creative” small plates in a cozy and warm, 1100 SF space in San Jose. Husband-and-wife co-owners Ann Le and Steven Huynh bring people together through elevated food & drink, comedy nights, and upbeat events led by the DJ behind the bar. We particularly love the zellige tile and limewash-plaster arched bar – it was our way of highlighting their globally-sourced natural wine collection. Read more at the link in bio! 🥂🍷 GC: @stagerconstruction
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We have new photos of the @comfortscafe marketplace to share! This comprehensive renovation brought new life to a beloved 38-year-old family business in San Anselmo. Founded by Glenn and Laura Miwa in 1986, Comforts has evolved under their daughter Erin’s stewardship (swipe for a family photo!) The design challenge included executing construction over 18 months in two carefully orchestrated phases, with closure windows limited to just 8-10 weeks in January and June to maintain the business’s vital community presence. The marketplace now features a custom @fireclaytile mural resembling falling leaves, a central sales island with white oak and azure blue zellige tile, and an overhead backlit signbox by @lux_create. The result is a bright, airy space that balances robust market functionality with a fresh and warm aesthetic. This renovation honors Comforts’ legacy while positioning it for generations to come. Many thanks to contributors and partners ACI Construction (GC) @rubberdesign (graphics & signage), Beal Creative, and @eringgg for taking these fabulous pics!
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This value-add project nearly doubled the value of an aging apartment building located just steps from the UC Berkeley campus. Through a thoughtful renovation and strategic reconfiguration, we were able to transform a dated 29-bedroom structure into a modern, vibrant 62-bedroom community. As part of the 14,000-square-foot renovation, we converted the former garage into a new 6-bedroom ADU and redesigned the existing penthouse into a spacious 6-bedroom unit. The building was fully brought up to code and modernized with new kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, lighting, and custom casework, delivering a significant upgrade in both functionality and aesthetic appeal. Projects like this are “wins” for everyone. This was a win for the client, who got a tremendous value-add, a win for housing near campus, and a win for renovations, which allow us to create new possibilities out of our existing built environment.
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Last weekend was the groundbreaking ceremony for Berkeley Moshav, a project that we’re delighted to see finally come to fruition after 10 years of meeting, planning, and fundraising! Swipe for a pic of Berkeley Moshav members at the ceremony 🥳📸 This 36-unit condo building in West Berkeley is a first-of-its-kind Jewish urban cohousing complex built for multigenerational and community living. 📸: @aaron_levywolins #berkeleymoshav #cohousing #westberkeley
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First look at one of our Berkeley student housing projects (swipe for a rendering)! As the scaffolding comes off this building, scheduled for completion this summer, we’re proud to see another student housing project come to fruition. This 8-story building, going up on Bancroft Ave directly across from campus, includes a mix of unit types (from three to six bedroom layouts) and amenities tailored to suit students’ needs. Early leasing starts in April.  Like so many new buildings going up in the area, this brand-new addition to Berkeley will help meet the University’s need for more student housing in the community! #studenthousing #downtownberkeley #ucberkeley #ucberkeleyhousing
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With Valentine’s Day coming, we wanted to share some Tables for Two. These tables were all designed to set the stage for connection between two people. We like to include a range of seating options for two people in our work — (including an oceanview table we designed specifically for couples) from a first date to a 50th anniversary. No matter how or with whom you celebrate Valentine’s Day, we hope you enjoy a table for two. Pictured: @comalrestaurants, @makerscommon, @jackoneillrestaurant 📸: @kengutmaker #tablefortwo #bayareaeats #restaurantdesign
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According to @nytimes, the 2025 hottest trend in hospitality …is hospitality. We are huge fans of Will Guidara, the author of “Unreasonable Hospitality” (and co-producer of “The Bear”). In his book, Will says that “hospitality is the way you make someone feel through the service, the extent to which you engage with them on a human level (and) which you’re willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that they feel a genuine sense of connection.” Hospitality means going above and beyond basic service by being creative, thoughtful, and intentional about connecting with guests. It’s an honor and privilege to design the “living rooms” that allow our clients to connect with their guests. Here’s a sampling of client-friends who create community and connection in big and small ways every day. From left to right: @friendsandfamilybar, @loscilantros, @barshiruoakland First image by @wguidara #unreasonablehospitality #restauranttrends #bardesign #restaurantdesign
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We’re over the moon for @nite_nite_nite who was just nominated for the Best New Chef CA @beardfoundation award! 🎉 Shout out to the teams at @lunette_cambodia and @nyumbai for all your hard work and dedication. We loved working on Lunette and are delighted to see it thriving as one of the @sfferrybuilding’s hottest gourmet destinations! 🔥 📸: @eurydice.photo #lunettecambodia #nyumbai #bayareaeats #jamesbeard #restaurantdesign #sfferrybuilding
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Sending our best holiday wishes to you this week! Our 2024 holiday card contains a drawing by Studio KDA associate Hannah Micallef!
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As the designers who work in our Food & Beverage studio know, restaurants and their architects need to think creatively about how to optimize precious space. For a restaurant to be successful, puzzles must be solved: how to maximize efficiency and operational flow, increase seating and/or table turnover, and make the most out of square footage. When a restaurant tackles that creative problem-solving successfully, we can’t help but cheer them on. Our client, @itaniramen, is a great example of a restaurant that has evolved to meet the moment. Recently featured in Richmondside, owner @kyleitani has consolidated and simplified his restaurant operations, provided more delivery options, and incorporated multiple food concepts at his Uptown Oakland locations. Congrats Kyle! Read the Richmondside article here: https://richmondside.org/2024/10/11/tarocco-mago-hopscotch-food-mill-restaurant-pivots/ #restaurantdesign #itaniramen #bayareaeats
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Looking for a festive spot to enjoy drinks with colleagues or friends this holiday season? Our clients have you covered. These venues offer amazing eats and ingenious cocktail programs throughout the Bay Area. Many of these spots also serve delicious N.A. (non-alcoholic) cocktails as part of their beverage programs. As alcohol becomes de-centered from holiday festivities due to health and intermittent sobriety trends, bars have adjusted. Creative N.A. cocktail options make these bars ideal for diverse groups to celebrate. 1. Burma Love, Menlo Park @burmalove 2. Bar Shiru, Oakland @barshiruoakland 3. Comal, Berkeley @comalrestaurants 4. Acopio, San Jose @acopiosj 5. Top Hatters Kitchen, San Leandro @tophatterskitchen #bardesign #restaurantdesign #nonalcoholicdrink #bayareaeats
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A vibrant downtown is one that changes and evolves over time, and Berkeley’s downtown is no exception. While the retail environment has faced challenges, one of the positive changes is the addition of a cluster of new buildings that will help to address the need for more housing and draw thousands of new residents to the area. We believe the flow of new residents will help jump-start a growth loop, with new retail, restaurants, and services coming in to support their needs. On this map, you’ll find the locations of all the projects we’ve worked on, some of which are still in the planning phase. Swipe for renderings of some projects that will soon house Berkeley residents and contribute to the vitality of downtown. #downtownberkeley #housingdesign
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Dramatic transformation is possible on a budget. Here’s how we achieved it on this mixed-use project for @stripmallguy in the South Bay - swipe all the way for a “before” image. For starters, we worked with the existing building shell, removing dated elements and re-cladding the prominent corners with wood siding and upgraded stucco. We also added square footage by enclosing the front balconies, providing 10% more leasable area. This location became highly sought-after, with new rents far exceeding the previous revenue. We also enhanced the rear of the building by removing the heavy soffits and replacing them with a thin profile deck and open steel and wood trellis. With improvements to the interior lobby and stairs, new landscaping, and custom signage, this 13,000-square-foot building was rehabilitated. #retaildesign #officedesign #mixeduse
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We are so moved by Nite Yun and the story she tells with her food. Chef’s Table: Noodles is now out on Netflix, and while we had fun watching some of our team members on screen enjoying dinner at Lunette, we were also struck by how poignant Nite’s episode was. Her mission to share Cambodian cuisine and connect with her cultural roots is profound, and echoes the dreams of so many chefs. We were honored to help Nite create the vision for Lunette and bring it to fruition. The space pays homage to the bustling street life of Cambodia with an indoor-outdoor feel. Swipe for photos of the design process! Congrats again, @nite_nite_nite and the team at @lunette! We’ll be back soon for more noodles! @chefstablenetflix #lunettecambodia #sfferrybuilding #restaurantdesign #foodhalldesign #chefstable #nyumbai
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We stopped in to Comforts Marketplace at @comfortscafe last week - and wow. What a transformation! This remodel process took a lot of time and team coordination. Comfort’s Marketplace is a popular grab-and-go spot, open seven days a week. This meant that they could only be closed for ten weeks in January or June, and the bathrooms had to stay open for the adjoining café. It ended up taking several years to get the timing just right, as the team coordinated design time, permits, and construction timeframes. We want to give a special shout-out to the contractor on this project, ACI Construction, for their incredible work, as well as @fireclaytile (responsible for the gorgeous tilework) and @rubberdesign (graphic design and signage)! Swipe all the way for a “before” pic. Comforts Marketplace has been open for two weeks, so now is the perfect time to stop by San Anselmo and check out the remodeled space! #comfortscafe #sananselmo #grabandgodesign #marketplacedesign #bayareaeats
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As the designated tenant architect for the @ferrybuilding, we’re delighted to see this iconic landmark at 95% capacity! Five new businesses have opened in the building since June, including several projects that we’ve personally had a hand in. We’re so grateful for the incredible leasing and management team at the Ferry Building and all the hard work they do. Swipe for images of some of the projects we’ve worked on: 1. @cholita_linda 2. @grandecreperie 3. @lunette_cambodia 4. @a16lapala And not shown, Reem’s California, Nopa Fish, and the upcoming concept from Sorrel Restaurant! #SFferrybuilding #foodhalldesign #retaildesign #bayarearetail
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As students return for the Fall semester we are reminded of the critical need for more affordable student housing, especially in Berkeley, our own community. U.C. Berkeley’s campus houses a lower percentage of undergrads and grad students than any other U.C. campus. While the university is working to rectify the problem, most of the need is addressed by private sector housing developers. To meet the need, and get projects to pencil, we are seeing a number of programmatic and design trends roll out this year. One example is The Valiant, pictured here, which starts construction this month. The project addresses a greater need for privacy and affordability, with more private bedrooms and larger living spaces. The move away from larger shared bedrooms with two or three beds to a room, as often found in U.C. Berkeley dorms, is a direct response to student requests. In the case of The Valiant, the building also provides welcoming common spaces to facilitate friendships and community-building. Take, for example, the large roof deck, where residents will be able to enjoy beautiful landscaping as well as clear views of the campus - the perfect place to host gatherings. #studenthousing #ucberkeley #ucberkeleyhousing #uchousing
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We’re thrilled for @nite_nite_nite and the incredible teams at @lunette_cambodia and @nyumbai! Catch the new season of @chefstablenetflix this October for a celebration of noodles, culture, and possibly some background shots of our architects and designers enjoying Nite’s fabulous Khmer cuisine at our @sfferrybuilding project! #chefstable #lunettecambodia #khmerfood
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2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the Santa Clara Town Centre remodel! This retail re-design project reenvisioned an old strip mall into a pedestrian-friendly shopping destination - swipe all the way for a “before” pic! Today, the Santa Clara Town Centre features Spanish Colonial Revival style architecture based on Santa Clara’s “Mission City” heritage. The storefronts are surrounded by landscaped walkways, plazas, and courtyards that encourage visitors to gather in the public space. A series of fountains, shaded terraces, and dining patios make the Town Centre a welcoming place to stop, shop, eat, and enjoy. 📸: @kengutmaker #retaildesign #stripmalldesign
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Word is out - a new dining destination is coming to @presidiosf in 2025! We’re working on Mess Hall for Presidio Tunnel Tops, with views of Crissy Field, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge. The mess hall will be the closest dining option to the playground at Tunnel Tops Park, which opened in 2022. Designed by @fieldoperations, best known for the High Line in New York City, Tunnel Tops Park connects the Palace of Fine Arts to the Presidio. Swipe for pics! The 6,000-square-foot mess hall will house multiple types of food experiences at a range of price points and will feature a large outdoor patio and a bar with wine, beer and cocktails courtesy of Zach Negin (@znegin), owner of @tabularasabar. Chef Peter Serpico (@serpicopter), a Momofuku group alum, will develop the food. Our Food, Beverage, and Hospitality Studio folks are thrilled to be working with such an amazing creative team on one of San Francisco’s most iconic destinations. More details to come as the project develops! #sfpresidio #foodhalldesign
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In the food and beverage industry, sound is a constant concern.  We’ve attended a number of hospitality conferences recently and spoken to many restaurateurs who are puzzling over the best way to handle ambient noise in their businesses. It’s curious to us that this is still such a tricky thing - because eleven years ago, we were lucky to collaborate with @meyersoundlabs on @comalrestaurants, where we created a totally unique sound system that still makes headlines!  Marites Abueg, Co-Leader of our Food, Beverage and Hospitality Studio, sums it up very well in this short video clip - sound is an incredibly important design consideration for a restaurant, just as much as visuals.  📹: Michael Coleman #restaurantdesign #sounddesign #meyersound
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