commercial and residential architects - kahn design associatesconverge
food + drink

Local 123, San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley

Completed in the summer of 2009, this project transformed a run-down retail space into a new vibrant cafe, specializing in sustainably-farmed coffee and local foods.

Employing green building principles, the space was opened up to include a kitchen with solar water heating, large dining area with 12-foot ceilings and renovated concrete flooring. As part of the design, we engaged the outdoors by replacing small front windows with a 10-foot roll up garage door and adding a patio in the rear. A large rear window and door were added to create passive ventilation and increase natural light. The space is adorned with hand-hewn, reclaimed Douglas Fir bench seats, lamps by a local artisans and recycled counter-top tiles.