San Francisco bistro by Studio Ahead includes aluminium DJ booth
Calfornia-based Studio Ahead has turned a former San Francisco music cafe into the Side A restaurant and vinyl bar, which includes a custom aluminium DJ stand.
When the former Universal Cafe in Mission Creek closed after almost three decades in business, the future of the space was left uncertain. This was until Studio Ahead co-founder Elena Dendiberia, whose offices are just across the street, met new owner Jim Skånberg – an architect and metal fabricator on a lunchtime walk.
"The door was open and I could not help but wonder what the future of the space was going to be," said Dendiberia.
"After learning more about Jim's vision for the space, especially his passion for keeping the energy of the beloved Universal Cafe with a community-driven spirit, we immediately thought of husband-wife duo Caroline and Parker Brown to join forces."
The Browns are both restauranteurs and after taking on the space now known as Side A, they asked Studio Ahead to update the interiors.
"Our intent was for design, music, and the culinary arts to come together in a hub for the creatives of the neighbourhood," Dendiberia said.
Many of the original elements were retained, including marble bar counters that were salvaged from a historic bank building on Market Street and the bent-plywood banquette from Universal Cafe's "90s heyday".
"We were committed to preserving those nostalgic original details of the space, while layering them with new custom metal furniture elements, produced by Skånberg's practice 280 West," said Dendiberia.
The metal pieces include a sculptural brushed-aluminium DJ stand in the front of the space, which anchors the music experience curated by Caroline.
Behind the stand is a minimalist shelving unit for storing the vinyl collection, and chalk boards that display Parker's food menu.
The dining area towards the back features custom metal-framed chairs and stools with padded seats and backrests, and open shelves for storing tableware.
"The industrial material of the dining chairs allows them to smoothly transition between inside and outside areas, adding versatility to the restaurant's seating plan," Dendiberia said.
Speakers from New Zealand brand Tub's Audio were utilised as part of the sound system created with Good Question Sound and 280 West.
Vertical round-edged acoustic panels that look like sponge fingers are mounted on the walls to improve the listening experience.
The exposed concrete flooring works with the metalwork elements to create an industrial aesthetic, which is softened by cream-coloured canvas curtains that separate the dining and service areas and also improves acoustics.
Dendiberia and partner Homan Rajai cofounded Studio Ahead as an art and design collective, and have also completed a wine bar in Williamsburg with "soothing" interiors.
The photography is by Ekaterina Izmestieva.
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