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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.)

We’d like to take a moment to celebrate staff member Tiffany Amrit as she passes her 20 year anniversary (!!!) with Studio KDA. Tiffany has grown up with the firm (and we with her), moving from a project designer to the head of our interior design division. Tiffany loves to design homes, restaurants, and innovative office concepts, lending her mastery of detail, color, and texture to projects large and small. Congrats, Tiffany! We’re so lucky to have you on our team. 🎉🎉🎉
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#studioKDA #architecture #architect #workplaceculture #workanniversary #companyculture #lovewhereyouwork #interiordesign

New project just got approved! This mixed-use five-story building at Potrero & San Pablo in El Cerrito has space for a new brewery and restaurant with outdoor patio seating. Tenants get to enjoy a top floor lookout deck with views of the Bay and Mt. Tam as well as a private west-facing terrace on the second story. We’re really excited about the new life, much-needed housing, and public gathering space this modern building will bring to such an important crossroads in El Cerrito! Looking forward to starting construction in early 2023.
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#studioKDA #architecture #architect #buildingdesign #designprocess #bayareadesign #elcerrito #rendering #buildingsketch #designdaily #instadesign

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Summer is the perfect time to check out a show or enjoy a drink at @cornerstoneberkeley! This former pool hall is a 13,000 SF bar with over 42 beers on tap, an outdoor patio, and a state of the art performance space. One of our favorite details from this project is the custom light fixtures in the lounge area, made from thrifted brass cymbals.
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#CornerstoneBerkeley #studioKDA #architecture #architect #interiordesign #interiorarchitecture #instadesign #restaurantdesign #bardesign #bayarearestaurants #eastbayeats #berkeleyeats #livemusic #bayareaevents

It’s been a while since we’ve touted our awesome team - which is a shame, because our talented, dedicated team has thrived and grown so much since the beginning of the pandemic! Today, we’re celebrating all our new hires - Angela Kim, Hannah Micallef, Vita Rey, Maria Reinstein, Austin Springer, Layla Tahani, and Brett Spencer!
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#studiokda #architecture #architect #workplaceculture #companyculture #lovewhereyouwork

Longport Fish Co. is open for business! We began work on this project during the pandemic, so it feels particularly sweet to see it come to completion. We brought all the coastal vibes to the design of this modern American fish house, named for the Jersey Shore borough where owner-chef Nicholas diArenzo spent his childhood summers. Next time you’re in Concord, stop in - it’s a great space to enjoy the beginning of summer. @longportfc
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📸 by @kengutmaker
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#studiokda #architecture #architect #interiordesign #interiorarchitecture #instadesign #restaurantdesign #bardesign #bayarearestaurants #seafoodrestaurant #eastbayfood

Did you know May is affordable housing month? We’re thrilled to see this innovative new form of affordable housing make its debut in Berkeley with Poet’s Place, a co-living space managed by @common.living. The units at Poet’s Place will be fully furnished, each with a kitchenette and a full bath for around $1,800/month, utilities included. Residents can also take advantage of shared kitchen and living spaces and enjoy a unique sense of community through a modern, socially based co-housing model! This project is still under construction, but we look forward to bringing 40 new affordable-by-design units to Berkeley in the fall.
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#affordablehousingmonth #studiokda #architecture #architect #buildingdesign #designprocess #bayareadesign #berkeley #coliving #colivingspace #affordablehousing

We can hardly believe that Comal celebrated its 10th anniversary last week! Swipe through to view a brief snapshot of our history designing this space ➡️
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There’s so much to say about Comal. In the past ten years, this favorite local gathering spot for Oaxacan cuisine has completely revitalized its downtown Berkeley block. Comal was an absolute dream to work on: its multiple environments (bar, in-house seating, chef’s counter and lush rear patio) and @meyersoundlabs sound system make it such a unique and delightful space. Congratulations, Comal - and here’s to another decade of delicious food and vibrant community! @comalrestaurants
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#studiokda #architecture #architect #interiordesign #interiorarchitecture #beforeandafter #instadesign #restaurantdesign #bardesign #bayarearestaurants #comalberkeley #mexicanfood #mexicanrestaurant

The SF Ferry Building asked us to enter their gingerbread house competition and our team “nailed it” with this house-under-construction theme! We have all the details : scaffolding, ladders, a debris box, waterproofing membrane, hard hats, workers, rolled up drawings and a job sign. Huge props to @jenlynnnewman for hours of gingerbread baking and sugar windows! And high fives to the design-build team : @laylatahan , Hannah Micallef, Vita Ray, Angela Kim and Brian Carter. On display now @sfferrybuilding - go visit and vote for us ! (voters can win a ferry building shopping spree 🛍)
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#gingerbreadhouse #holidayseason #studiokda #constructionlife

Two years and one pandemic later, we finally had our first site visit to our Fresno restaurant design, @annessopizzeria and we were blown away! Thank you @k6constructioninc and clients @jimmypardini @jeffpardini11 for enabling and executing our vision so beautifully. Final lighting and bar shelving are still to come but it’s already looking so fly. Look out Fresno peeps! #comingsoonrestaurant
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#restaurantdesign #fresnorestaurant #comingsoon #hospitalitydesign #restaurantandbardesign
#constructionsitevisit #fresnodesign #pizzarestaurant #pizzarestaurantdesign

Thank you #berkeleydesignadvocates for recognizing our Ursa Apartments project in the 2021 BDA Awards in the Innovative Housing category. “Through a skillful floor plan, a narrow through-lot yielded 50 compact student apartments on 5 floors. At ground level, a setback resolves the various restrictions on building form while creating a welcoming entry. Similarly, step-backs in the facade acknowledge the two adjacent structures as well as the increased views available as the floors ascend. And the house that once occupied part of the site? It was moved two blocks and restored to hold 5 apartments”.

Mayor Arreguin kicked off the ceremony that included 7 Berkeley projects that are “examples of dedication and perseverance" and "had the vision to move projects forward and make Berkeley a better and more beautiful community.”

And shout out to the BDA steering committee for making this happen each time!
Anthony Bruzzone
Jack Appleyard
Jay Claiborne
Jean Eisberg
Elisa Mikiten
Mark Rhoades
Michael Robbins
David Snippen
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📸 by @kengutmaker
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#multifamilydesign #multifamilyrealestate #multifamily #multifamilyinvesting #berkeleydesign #berkeleyarchitecture #downtownberkeley #berkeleyhousing #downtownberkeleyrocks #infilldevelopment #infillhousing @studiokda #studiokda

Our newest multi-family housing project is complete ! Walking distance to the El Cerrito Del Norte Bart, the Cerrito Vista brings 50 residential units to revitalize this section of the San Pablo corridor.
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📸 by @kengutmaker
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👏🏽SKDA team @buddywilliams79 • JasonAndre • @adriurbi • GC • JS Builders • client • Wang Brothers • graphics • @radiantbrands
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#multifamilyhousing #multifamilyrealestate #multifamilyinvesting #multifamilyarchitecture #elcerritorealestate #bayareadesign #multifamilydesign #multifamilyinvestors #eastbayrealestate

🍾Congratulations @casabarotti for opening this week in your beautiful new space and weathering construction in 2020!! East bay friends, come try Danielle’s authentic regional Italian specialities soon! Molto delizioso!
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🛵college x alcatraz berkeley
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#restaurantdesign #hospitalitydesign #berkeleyrestaurants #pizzarestaurant #interiordesign #covidsafedesign #interiorarchitecture #spizzicheria @eater_sf @tablehopper @eastbaynosh @studiokda

Opening this week- outdoor dining at the original Flour and Water restaurant ! Check the parklet we drew and permitted for @flourandwatersf - beautifully realized and built by chefs Thomas McNaughton and @chefryanpollnow . 📸by @ctmcnaughton
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#covidoutdoordining #sfrestaurants #outdoordining #pandemiclife
#parkletdesign #eatersf #ggra #bayareahospitalitycoalition #hospitalitydesign

Go City of Berkeley! We were thrilled to help Vice Mayor Sophie Hahn and Mayor Arreguin envision streets, parking lots and new parklets as areas for outdoor dining all across the city as a way to bolster restaurants and connect community safely during CV-19. .

See link in bio for @sfgate article about our City Council presentation and ideas for street seating layouts (specific streets have not been chosen yet). .
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Pictured: Umbrellas in Agueda, Portugal provide street shade 📸 by Patrica Almeida, Painted street circles in Sunset triangle Park by @rios.imagines 📸by Kenneth A.Wilson, Woven Fence Art as barricade decor.
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#postpandemic #saveourrestaurants #socialdistancing #hospitalitydesign #outdoordining #parkletdesign #restaurantowner #downtownberkeley #cityofberkeley #hopeful #staysafe @studiokda @city.of.berkeley @berkeleymayor @bayareahospitalitycoalition @berkeleyside @eastbaynosh @ggrasf

Thank you to @nomanational for stats and to our former @uc_daap professors Bradford Grant @howard1867 and Dennis Mann for compiling the Directory of African American architects since 1991.
Follow and donate @nomanational @thehiphoparchitect @theblarchitect @blackfemarc @grassrootslaw @untilfreedom @ mnfreedomfund @blackvisionscollective @reclaimtheblock @ckyourprivilege
#designasprotest #designforblacklives #nojusticenopeace #blacklivesmatter
And link in bio to the most comprehensive list of anti-racism resources and actions I’ve seen yet . (Thank you @dehyedration !) We clearly have work to do.

It’s hard being a mom, harder being an entrepreneurial mom, harder yet being an entrepreneurial- restauranteur mom, and UNBELIEVABLY hard being all of these things in the time of CV19!! Happy Mother’s Day to all of these incredibly hard working client-friends who continue to serve food, take care of their workers, their families, and feed and nourish us. Support them now if you can.
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Pictured : Danvy Vu @tophatterskitchen , May Seto Wasem @grandlakekitchen , Anamika Khanna @kasaindian , Brenda Buenviaje & Libby Truesdell @brendasoakland , Veronica Salazar @elhuaracheloco , Allison Arevalo @pastalouise , Renee Wang @Renee’s Place , Allyson Jossel @nopalitosf , Shirley Azzghayer @somaeats .
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#saverestaurants @indprestaurants #mothersday #womenchefsofinstagram #womenownedsmallbusiness #womenchefsrock #restaurantlife #restaurantowner #bayarearestaurants @tablehopper @berkeleyside @eastbaynosh @luluazzghayer @allisonlarevalo @brendasfrenchsf @lacocinasf @bayareahospitalitycoalition

While we are all struggling with this unprecedented crisis , our hospitality, travel and restaurant businesses are suffering directly and deeply. We’ve compiled an up-to-date list of our Bay Area client friends that you can help with takeout, gift cards or worker donations. And some have found creative ways to help their farm suppliers by selling CSA boxes or are donating food directly to frontline hospital staff . Click the link in our bio for the full list (and we will keep it updated throughout the coming weeks)... Pictured: Protege Restaurant @protegepaloalto 📸by Lucy Marie Photography • GC @cooklinesf
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#coronavirusrestaurantrelief
#sfrestaurants
#eastbayrestaurants
#restaurantdesign
@iyasareberkeley @tendergreens @somaeats @brendasoakland @kasaindian @lazybearsf @flourandwaterpizzeria @comalberkeley @artiscoffee @grandlakekitchen @hopscotchoakland @itaniramen @chezpanisse @revivalbarandkitchen @thelocalbutchershop @cornerstoneberkeley @tophatterskitchen @maricaoakland @thewolfoakland @nopalitosf @bunmee @missioncheese @eatproper @roam_burgers @elhuaracheloco @mendocinofarms @barshiruoakland @gatherberkeley @ashateahouse @friendsandfamilybar @lacocinasf @eastbayfeeder @berkeleyside @eastbayexpress @chefsfeed @eater_sf @indprestaurants

With all the uncertainty, we at Studio KDA want to reassure our clients that their project is moving forward and in good (well-washed) hands! Our remote systems are up and running, and our teams are in the groove of meeting and working from home.
And if you’re able, please try to support your local restaurant through gift cards and takeout! These past and future clients are open for curbside pickup (and/or gift cards) and these small business owners and their staff could use your $$ help today ! .
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@tophatterskitchen @itaniramen @hopscotchoakland @revivalbarandkitchen @grandlakekitchen @cornerstoneberkeley @flourandwaterpizzeria @nopalitosf @fobkitchen @kasaindian @burmasuperstar @lazybearsf @comalberkeley @protegepaloalto @somaeats @friendsandfamilybar @barshiruoakland 📸 @kengutmaker

RESTAURANT DESIGN 101:
The Number 1 Mistake we see is OVERLIGHTING . DIYers use one kind of light, overhead, with the wrong color temperature, low CRI, and usually TOO bright . Warm welcoming spaces have layers of light , in warm color temperatures and high CRI or color rendition. Our design at Bar Shiru highlights the back bar, tucks glare-y bulbs high inside pendant lights, uplights textural concrete columns and beams and uses table and floor lamps to layer light in a tall space . All the moves to support the main show- vinyl listening and delish drinks! .
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#lightingdesign #resturantbardesign #bardesign #bardesigns #hospitalitydesign #modernlighting #lighting #oaklandinteriordesign #vinylbar #interiordesign #interiorarchitecture #interiordesigner #restaurantdesigner #studiokda #oaklandbars @barshiruoakland

Check out our cool NoCal coastal vibes at our bespoke design of Mendocino Farms , Santana Row . Although this was their 18th location , this look was unlike any of their previous stores. With 25 foot high ceilings, we could install overscaled green walls and a live tree to bring the sunny San Jose outdoors in. .
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#restaurantdesign #hospitalitydesign #commercialdesign #fastcasualdining #santanaroweats #sanjosedesign #interiordesign #commercialinteriors #interiorarchitecture #interiorarchitectureanddesign @mendocinofarms

We’re excited to be part of the re-visioning of El Cerrito’s San Pablo corridor with our 50 unit mixed use design at 10963 San Pablo (at Jefferson) . It’s taking shape now and we recently indulged in a lunch time construction tour led by @halle486 !

From El Cerrito’s San Pablo Specific Plan: “The Plan creates a framework for transforming the Avenue into a multimodal corridor that functions, not just as a thoroughfare, but as a place that provides a multitude of opportunities for living, working and community life. The Plan's key principles are to deepen a sense of place and community identity, attract private investment, strengthen partnerships, enhance the public realm, promote the everyday use of transit, walking, and biking, and foster environmental sustainability.”
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#multifamilydesign #multifamilyinvesting #multifamilyhousing #commercialdesign #eastbayrealestate #eastbaydevelopments #elcerritorealestate #multifamilyarchitecture @jsbuilders_ Wang Brothers Investments #cityofelcerrito

Sometimes you have a simple idea and you wonder is it too simple ? But then there’s execution and detailing and you realize it may look simple but it’s not easy . The site for Tidal coffee at the Monterey plaza hotel is steps away from the awe-inspiring Monterey Bay and we wanted to bring the water and waves inside. Why not simulate an ocean wave with an @fireclaytile backsplash mural? We think we nailed it, with thoughtful menu board graphics by @rubberdesignsf and design details by our @studiokda team . (And thanks @unitedfabrics for the wavy sea creature-like fabric! )
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#cafedesign #hospitalitydesign #coffeedesign #tiledesign #commercialdesign #contractdesign #oceaninspired #montereybay #tileinspiration #fromconcepttoreality #designprocess .
@montereyplaza
@tidalcoffee
@fireclaytile
@unitedfabrics

I visited our Oakland SPHERE Co-working project Friday to see artist @meghanshimek ‘s custom weaving in its rightful place on the library lounge wall . 🙌 🙌🙌 Hurray! Thank you Meghan for your beautiful work !!! 💙
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@atmysphere_co
#coworkingspace #coworkingdesign #designbywomenforwomen #womeninarchitecture #oaklandartist #fiberart #hospitalitydesign #wescover #oaklandcoworking #commercialinteriors #interiordesign #wallartdecor #fiberartist @wescoverapp

I love the sound of 2020 - it’s such a satisfying number ! And since we designed our first restaurant in 2000, I realize we’ve been designing restaurants for a full two decades . This project , Verbena SF, changed owners in 2017, but as @mezcalitobarsf , it still retains our key design elements. I especially love our glowing wood niche display tower , built to conceal a new ADA restroom, but designed as a place to feature the chef’s love of fermentation, lovingly known as the pickle wall. .
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Custom ceramic pendants by @jeredspottery and built by Northern Sun construction . 📸 @eurydice.photo .
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#restaurantdesign #bardesign #hospitalitydesign #displaydesign #interiordesigner #sanfranciscorestaurants #lightingdesign #lighting #studiokda

It was a fun rainy day, all-office tour of our newly completed 50 unit Ursa project at 2124 Bancroft , expertly led by our own uber-talented project architect @halle486 . It was a narrow tricky site but the team maximized every inch (and we 🧡 the downtown berkeley bay views). Well-done team!! (missed you @jenlynnnewman and @annslobod ). .
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#commercialdesign #commercialarchitecture #multifamilyhousing #multifamilydesign #multifamilyrealestate #downtownberkeley #multifamilydevelopment #architecturefirm #weloveourwork #iwanttolivehere

Audiophiles celebrate! New article in “The Absolute Sound “ mag about our project Bar Shiru written by the fabulous @pamchop . Link in bio..... “The concept was to recreate the “slow listening” environment of a classic Tokyo jazz cafe. Limited seating at Bar Shiru keeps the crowds contained in order to maintain the integrity of the experience. “ “We embrace the silences between sides and between records,” Gahr says. “It makes people notice the music.” And music is very much the focal point in a visual sense, too, as evidenced by the 15-foot-high record wall, brimming with the bar’s growing vinyl collection.”
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#audiophile
#listeningbars
#bardesign
#uptownoakland
#hospitalitydesign
#hospitalitylife
#vinylcommunity
#audiogeek
#interiorinspiration
#barandrestaurantdesign
@barshiruoakland
@daniel_gahr
@shirusf 📸 @kengutmaker & @maritesabueg

Welcoming The URSA Berkeley, a sparkling new 50,000 sf multi-family building at 2124 Bancroft Way near UC berkeley. A long narrow site was infilled with 50 living units , 10% of which are part of the city’s Below Market Rate program. Link in bio for more ! .
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#multifamilyhousing
#multifamilydesign
#multifamilyarchitecture
#infillarchitecture
#housingdesign
#commercialrealestate
#housingmarketupdates
#berkeleyrealestate
#downtownberkeley
#modernarchitecture
#modernhousing
#modernhousingdevelopment

We designed Cornerstone Berkeley 2 years ago, our first combo restaurant/bar and live music venue, and this weekend Mexican-American female rapper @snowthaproduct played a phenomenal sold-out show there. How cool is that ? (swipe for video). Thank you @alex.n.popov and @cornerstoneberkeley ! .
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#cornerstoneberkeley
#snothaproduct
#downtownberkeley
#restaurantdesign
#bardesign
#hospitalitydesign
#livemusic
#hiphopmusic

I know it’s still hot out Bay Area but gifting season is practically here !
We love our neighborhood shopping area on 4th street for its human scale , leafy sidewalks and pedestrian gathering nodes. And we get to contribute to that feeling with projects like the new building above which extended the sidewalk with bi-level bleacher seating and native planting . Here’s to making holiday shopping social 😍.
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Post occupancy review of The Moran, Oakland. We’re delighted with the results, especially the multi-tiered courtyard which provides outdoor seating at every level. #themoran #oaklandhousing #studiokda #mulitfamilyoakland #greatspaces #uptownoakland #oaklandarchitecture #communitydesign #livingwell #multifamilyarchitect

We love workplace design and especially love designing urban oasis-like spaces . Sphere has all the usual Co-working amenities plus yoga/fitness , massage, wellness workshops and a kick-ass community.
Shouldn’t all our offices feel this good?
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Staff members Jason and Sonia head off to the job site. Not sure they meant to look this cute, but they did. #studiokdapeople #spengersfishgrotto

Congrats to our friends @protegepaloalto for making the list of Top Ten Bay Area Restaurants in this week’s @mercnews ! ... see stories and link in bio...

Retail Tuesday ! (is this a thing? maybe it’s not a thing ). In any case, “Briefcase” Market in the @bishopranch business park was a fun jewel-box design, catering to the office worker who needs a grab and go lunch option, a drugstore sundry item, a tech replacement or favorite stationary supply. (And so inspiring to work with you on branding and signage @rvh.design !)

Have you see the remarkable documentary @thebiggestlittlefarm yet? Those beautiful worm composting buildings were designed by our very own studio director and uber-talented architect Buddy Williams. See him in the film @ minute 13:38 but if you blink and miss him , swipe to the screenshot of him sketching his friend Alan York (and the resulting sketch ! ) We ❤️ this movie ! #biggestlittlefarm #architectureinmovies #biodynamicfarming #agriculturalarchitecture #apricotlanefarms

A perfect studio retreat with friends, families, pooches, guitars, games and, of course, the Russian River. #studiokdapeople #studiokdaretreat #monterio #theriverqueen

Have you been to the bay’s very first *Listening Bar* yet? What, no? Previously only found in Tokyo, London or LA, “the listening bar raises good questions about whether there might be an unrealized public-listening or group-listening ideal in a ritual as familiar as going out for a drink .” (Ben Ratcliff for @_the_new_york_times_ ) . The all-vinyl jazz bar @barshiruoakland has a chill vibe, low lighting, meticulous sound and dreamy cocktails. And if you’re an audiophile you can also geek out on tube amps, turntables and custom speakers (swipe to read geeky stats at the end). 📸by @kengutmaker + @barshiruoakland . design by @studiokda . build by northern sun construction .

We ❤️ doing prototype design! The @flourandwaterpizzeria team asked us for a warm, inclusive, accessible, family friendly , and “all-day” look and feel. Something that said “pizza for all”. The existing space was miles of white tile and we warmed it up with hand- plastered walls by Orit Yanai, fabric ceilings by WCD, custom bar pendants by @metrolightingca and 2x9 Jade green tile by @heathceramics . Swipe left for the before and after.

A bittersweet farewell to our dear assistant, Oliver, as he heads South for new adventures. #studiokdateam #eastbayarchitects #workculturematters

Congrats @tophatterskitchen for today’s high-praise @sfchronicle_food restaurant review by @soleil_ho ! We couldn’t agree more - the dishes are crave-able and the vibe is swoon worthy 😍... 📸 by @kengutmaker ...design by @studiokda ...link to story in bio...

The finishing touches going onto The Moran in Uptown Oakland. Note the silver balls on the facade curtesy of the Oakland arts program. #uptownoaklandca #eastbayarchitecture #oaklandapartments

Bustling crowd and magical warm night, off-the-charts creative menu and memorable dinner @tophatterskitchen last night... #swipeleft for #beforeandafter in this former hat factory in #sanleandro

First sneak peak of our design for #flourandwaterpizzeria on #eatersf today!! Opening officially on June 3rd 🎉🎉🎉 Link in bio. 📸by @pchangphoto
#sfrestaurants #restaurantdesign #pizzarestaurant #interiordesign #restaurantarchitecture #echosummitconstruction

Color Storys at #icff2019 and #hdexpo2019 (slowly veering away from millennial pink- finally!). @studiokda @ldfsilk

“Bar Shiru, the Bay Area’s first hi-fi vinyl bar, is a haven for audiophiles”
Thank you #berkeleyside !

Celebrating International Women’s month with a Studio KDA construction project tour expertly led by our own @halle486 . Enjoying the rooftop view of the berkeley hills and campinile... missing @tiffanyroseamrit @annslobod @kimfisher #womeninarchitecture

Field trip to the OMCA to be inspired (again) by the Charles and Ray Eames. #eames #omca

The Maker Shacks are finally complete at the new Fourth Street plaza. #studiokda #retaildesign #kengutmakerphotography #artisianjewelry