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  • THUMBTACK HQ MARKET STREET

    MARKET, SAN FRANCISCO THUMBTACK HQ MARKET STREET MARKET, SAN FRANCISCO Well-organized, open, food centric and friendly. These attributes—based on Thumbtack’s office culture—shape all the workplace environments we create for the company. Our brand-infused design approach is adapted for each new location, using curated moments specific to the built context and region. We have worked as part of the same architecture and construction team on all three of Thumbtack’s build-outs, now a well-oiled machine: the previous HQ, Utah Campus and this HQ . Thumbtack’s rapid growth and expansion plans instigated their move to this much larger space—the entire 6th floor of 1355 Market in SF’s Mid-Market tech district. Meeting the aggressive 5-month timeline and limited budget for this space demanded a massive undertaking by everyone involved. The previous tenant left a well-appointed build-out, which enabled us to re-purpose some elements and focus the budget on a few strategic moves. But it also posed challenges—mainly how to shift the vibe from an existing starkness to the casual, tactile, familial atmosphere that would feel like home to Thumbtack. Focusing on flow and finishes for the public areas, we sourced new furniture and lighting throughout. In the employee dining area we enlivened and warmed up the mood by adding a strong geometric tile face to the main food service station, maple butcher block as the food prep surfaces, and wood enclosures to hide the kitchen equipment. In the work areas we developed seven neighborhoods of 30-50 workstations in relation to the company’s seven core markets: events, home, lessons, wellness, business, crafts, design and web. Thresholds and furnishings were placed to delineate and abstractly reflect these sectors. Strong trust and complimentary roles are the foundation of our great, collaborative relationship with Thumbtack—addressing the owners’ needs with Studio BBA’s vision and design objectives. Back to Projects page Client Thumbtack BBA Team Bonnie Bridges Anand Sheth Size 80,000 SF Contractor Principal Builders Collaborators Project Manager: CRE Group Furniture: Inside Source Photography Jasper Sanidad Back to top

  • AMES

    SAN FRANCISCO AMES SAN FRANCISCO Small never lived so large as in this 840 sq. ft. luxury cottage. Tucked away mid-block on an alley bordering San Francisco’s Mission and Noe Valley neighborhoods, this project was commissioned by Flora Grubb to be near her original garden nursery. An adaptive reuse remodel, the choice to work with the existing modest structure was intentional—even though zoning allowed for much more—to minimize waste and explore a creative opportunity for smart, small-scale design. Every square inch of Ames was designed to be a peaceful, elegant and purposeful urban sanctuary. The super efficient living spaces have an indoor/outdoor feel with copious natural light from new windows and skylights, while ensuring privacy and retaining the open feel from the building’s original use as Betty Mae's School of Tap in the 1940's. The home’s open interior is anchored by a full-height partition wall clad with re-purposed Douglas fir—with flush-mounted fireplace and skylight on the living room side, and built-in cabinetry and closet on the master bedroom side. The simple kitchen and bath feature FSC-certified cherry cabinetry with flush doors, and plaster walls that run uninterrupted out to the patio with its espalier garden and custom cast-in-place, concrete soaking tub. A redwood-trimmed, wall-mounted ladder leads from the patio to the roof deck and its container garden oasis. This project offered the opportunity to experiment with new and re-imagined materials, collaborating with the builder as he crafted everything by hand. It became the foundation for two our longest relationships—with Flora Grubb, leading to our design of Flora Grubb Gardens, and with Kevin Smith, with whom we’ve built a number of projects including three Sightglass cafés. Back to Projects page Client Flora Grubb BBA Team Bonnie Bridges Seth Boor Size 840 SF Contractor Kevin Smith Collaborators Plants: Flora Grubb Gardens Photography Studio BBA Back to top

  • SEBASTOPOL HOUSE

    WEST SONOMA COUNTY SEBASTOPOL HOUSE WEST SONOMA COUNTY After a five year search up and down the bay, the clients purchased this "shack with a view" on 2.7 acres in West Sonoma County. The 1,300 SF 1978 Sea Ranch inspired existing house had not been touched and the steeply sloping site was an open canvas with the exception of 8 majestic redwoods. Working through a 'forever house' program required multiple schematic design options (including a tear down) and eventually landed on remoding the house and adding a 750 SF pool house with all the adjacent amenities: infinity pool, sauna, teak hot tub, large outdoor entertainment space, bocce court, ping pong and a mediterranean inspired, fire resilient garden to tie it all together. Sustainable features include a net zero house powered by a 22 KW solar array with battery back up (the house is in a WUI zone and power grid shut down is common), radiant heating, mini split air conditioning in key spaces, reclaimed redwood decking and vertical grain doug fir (from northern CA), hybrid pool heater (choose between electric and gas heating options). The project is WUI compliant. The client LOVES basalt rip-rap - which was used extensively throughout the site for both decorative and functional uses: swales, retaining walls, sculptural features. We worked closely with Daniel Nolan to weave a drought tolerant, sophisticated plant palette into a 1 acre garden paradise around the house. We worked with Saturn Construction to establish a Japandi Norcali vibe in the pool house (limestone and oak plank floors, rice hull plaster walls and reclaimed vertical grain doug fir cabinets and ceilings and extended that vibe into the main house while keeping the vintage spatial volumes. The project is in the last phase of construction (completion scheduled for summer 2025) and will include a music room, home office, and a Glenn Murcutt-inspired carport. Back to Projects page Client Confidential BBA Team Bonnie Bridges Samantha Buckley Stephanie Griffith Size 3,000 SF; 2.7 acre lot Contractor Saturn Construction Collaborators Furniture: Knoll Herman Miller Lighting Design: Pritchard Peck Structural: Semco Engineering Landscape Design: Daniel Nolan Design/Kalman Varga Design Photography Studio BBA Back to top

  • EQUATOR MARKET STREET

    MARKET ST, SAN FRANCISCO 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. Back to Projects page 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 top

  • THE MILL

    SAN FRANCISCO THE MILL SAN FRANCISCO The Mill is a new joint venture café, from the hearts, minds and hands of Josey Baker Bread and Fourbarrel Coffee . In the collaborative spirit of much of Studio BBA’s work, the making of The Mill was a true collective design and construction process. The target inspiration for this design was “everyone’s first San Francisco kitchen” – that initial bright, messy, warm space that came with your first real apartment. It was probably at the very end of long Victorian, maybe in The Mission. It probably had good light even though the laundry porch was in the way. It was where all your friends crammed together during parties, and the place you probably spent the most time on weekend mornings. A mixed palette of woods—white oak, doug fir and ash—with white-on-white finishes is inspired by, and meant to inspire the feel of, the welcoming, homestyle kitchen. Natural light filters from the multiple skylights through the ceiling beams to the café tables, and is concentrated over the bakery and barista work area through a custom light soffit. Reclaimed douglas fir cabinetry and white wall tile both follow a herringbone pattern, subtly articulating the space. Back to Projects page Client The Mill BBA Team Bonnie Bridges Seth Boor Sarah Fucinaro Size 2,300 SF Contractor Roman Hunt, Jeremy Tooker & Crew Collaborators Millworker: Alex Palecko Photography Bruce Damonte Back to top

  • RITUAL COFFEE ROASTERS OXBOW

    NAPA RITUAL COFFEE ROASTERS OXBOW NAPA When Ritual Roasters was asked to be the local coffee purveyor for Napa’s Oxbow Public Market, owner Eileen Hassi in turn invited Studio BBA to be the designer. Ritual was a natural addition to the artisanal and organic bounty at this site of foodie pilgrimage—“The Local Gathering Place for Great Food and Wine in Napa Valley”. The modern café pavilion we created is an efficient, highly functional 280 sq. ft. work and service space that brings design value to work for business, melding concepts from Ritual’s history and brand with the history and aesthetic of marketplaces. With a visual presence that exceeds its small footprint, the pavilion is designed to showcase the art of the barista’s coffee making with an air of theatricality. The coffee bar counter—made from an old local pea farm’s tamarack timbers—provides a gracious front row seat while underscoring the Market’s regional, farm-direct focus. One of the early examples of Studio BBA’s deep expertise in coffee retail and café design, we first worked with Ritual on our design for their kiosk at Flora Grubb Gardens, then designed their San Francisco roaster production and training facility. Back to Projects page Client Ritual Coffee BBA Team Seth Boor Bonnie Bridges Size 280 SF Contractor Terra Nova Industries Collaborators Woodworking: Stephen C. O'Brien Photography Bruce Damonte Back to top

  • CREDO BEAUTY

    SAN FRANCISCO CREDO BEAUTY SAN FRANCISCO Credo Beauty hired Studio BBA to design a flagship store that embodies their mission—providing a transparent, welcoming way for people to access authentic natural beauty products—and that radiates their down-to-earth, inclusive, friendly culture. Studio BBA looked to the rejuvenating feel of gardens and greenhouses, combined with the comfort of a parlor, for further inspiration. The expansive, operable glass storefront beckons visitors into the store’s generous entry alcove and open interior. Added skylights illuminate the space, making visible the whole store from the street. Neutral wall surfaces in textured plaster create a warm, comfortable environment that keeps the attention on the people and products within, punctuated by pops of Credo’s brand color and a few unique sculptural plants. Seasonal, changeable display casework and shelving is modular and has the flexibility to evolve over time, to accommodate varied stocking strategies and new product development. Mobile beauty stations and a more intimate seating area at back allow for personal consultations. Back to Projects page Client Credo Beauty BBA Team Bonnie Bridges Stephanie Griffith Size 1,400 SF Contractor Jeff King & Company Collaborators Brand Identity: Hatch Photography Nicholas V. Ruiz Back to top

  • BRUCATO AMARO

    SAN FRANCISCO BRUCATO AMARO SAN FRANCISCO On a busy street in SF, Brucato Amaro Distillery and Restaurant was inspired by the vibrant history and diverse agriculture of California and the Italian heritage of amaro. The restaurant, bar and distillery are made of many moments including a rootbeer colored tiled plinth in the dining room. The tasting room exudes a Nor-Cali Italian vibe through hues of greens, chartreuse, rootbeer and pinky oranges (check out the woo in the loo!) that complement the bounty and creativity of California ingredients. “In today's world [so] many experiences take place virtually. It is increasingly difficult to find what is true and honest. [With Bar Brucato], we wanted to have a real place where guests can physically see, touch, smell, and taste what we are making.” - Sierra Clark, Co-Founder One of our mantras at Studio BBA is that the Back of the House is as important as the Front of the House. This is exemplified in this SF Distillery, Tasting Room and Bar/Restaurant. The restaurant entry and shipping/receiving are side by side, such that guests are immersed in the hubbub a working distillery - not just a pretty place to eat and drink. On sunny weekends, the loading yard is converted into outdoor seating so guests can see the stills from their table. We worked closely with the Clients to bring this tricky project to fruition. The hospitality program includes Distillery Tours, Family Style dining at the Tasting Table, Private Dining and Distilling classes in the Lab and the Main Dining room and Bar. Press: 7x7 , Chronicle , Infatuation , Eater Back to Projects page Client Brucato Amaro BBA Team Bonnie Bridges Samantha Buckley Size 6,930 SF Contractor CCI Collaborators MEP: ACIES Lighting Design: Banks Landl Project Management: Canopy Photography Studio BBA Molly DeCoudreaux David Dines Back to top

  • FOUR BARREL PORTOLA

    SAN FRANCISCO FOUR BARREL PORTOLA SAN FRANCISCO This Portola district café is Fourbarrel ’s best kept secret, opening onto a new city pocket park that was developed by popular demand of the neighborhood (of which our very own Bonnie Bridges is a member), in conjunction with a San Francisco initiative. The park and café activate a forgotten nook where dead-end street meets elevated highway, enlivening and expanding the community streetscape. Much of our inspiration for this rough-cut gem came from its context and how to best leverage its many particularities, as is often the case in our work. In homage to the Portola’s history as a commercial rose-growing area, a glass awning and planted trellis greet your approach. A former garage, we worked with the existing concrete shell to leverage its simple structural order, with patrons entering through the large overhead garage door to find a series of custom café carts inside the building. The main feature of the space is the wood treatment on the ceiling. The whole team collaborated on what to do with loads of old cupped redwood planks, finally arriving on the approach of laying out the end grain pieces in concentric circles to resemble a cross-section of the growth rings of a tree. A custom sliding glass and steel wall does double duty by hiding the massive electrical panel behind and providing retail shelving in front. Back to Projects page Client Four Barrel Coffee BBA Team Seth Boor Bonnie Bridges Size 725 SF Contractor Roman Hunt Collaborators Photography Studio BBA Back to top

  • MISTER JIU'S

    SAN FRANCISCO MISTER JIU'S SAN FRANCISCO Our design for Mister Jiu’s 2-story Chinatown space — originally home to one of SF’s oldest and longest running restaurants — reflects the spirit of chef/owner Brandon Jew and his inventive contemporary Chinese food. The concept naturally leaned toward the duality of yin and yang, dark and light, which we reinterpreted as a modern interior inspired by its cuisine’s lively energy, and embedded with references to its deeply rooted history and culture. The first step we took was to relocate the restaurant’s entry from Grant Street’s bustle to the cloak of Waverly Street. Akin to modern-day Hong Kong alleyways that frame their destinations, this brings visitors in from a sheltered passage to the dim reception and bar areas, and gives a composed glimpse into the light-filled dining room beyond. It was important to the chef that the dining room feel bright and refreshing. We took inspiration for the palette of green, teak and varied textures from the aesthetics of tea growing, and Guilin’s iconic Li River, with accents including a parquet tile pattern, and repurposed lotus chandeliers and brass pendants. The large elements of the space were made simple, to create a quiet visual field and add elegance — with tone-on-tone plaster, painted walls and custom teak tables. Mister Jiu’s kitchen is huge and robust by San Francisco standards, and is truly the heart of the space. Open to the dining room, it offers diners and restaurant staff the same experience — views, high quality finishes, spaciousness, thoughtful organization — so they may equally enjoy their experience and time in the restaurant. Back to Projects page Client Mister Jiu's BBA Team Bonnie Bridges Size 5,000 SF Contractor C&C General Engineering, Inc. Collaborators Sculpture: Beth Naumann Landscape Art: Afton Love Photography F. Jason Campbell Back to top

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Studio BBA   921 Larkin Street   San Francisco CA

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