san francisco, CA

1400sf - restaurant & wine bar

2019

The salzburg was a reaction to the eminent state of design that has proliferated around the world. Thanks to the great homogenization effect of the internet, restaurants, lofts, stores, cafes and bars all decided they wanted to employ the same pseudoindustrial, quasi-scandinavian design language that would make them appear to be a part of the ‘urban elite’. The salzburg is a light hearted effort aimed at taking the essential elements of austrian alpine architecture and exercising them in an urban function. Taking inspiration from the alpen home typology of a white stuccoed masonry foundation and a darker, more ornamental wood structure in the upper levels, we have distilled these elements to their purest form. The decorative wood balusters seen throughout the region show up in the perforated wood facade. Starburst relief cuts in the walnut planking provide an etherial constellation as the light from inside pokes through at night. during the day, shutters are raised and windows are opened to allow for daylighting.