Pi - Downtown STL

610, Washington Avenue, Saint Louis, MO, United States

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Pi - Downtown STL

610, Washington Avenue, Saint Louis, MO, United States

Firm

Space LLC

Type

Hospitality + Sport › Restaurant

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2012

SIZE

3000 sqft - 5000 sqft

Missouri‘s vast agricultural background and the cultural history of St. Louis city has catalyzed a growing and sustainable restaurant scene specializing in local fresh ingredients. Pi Pizzeria is no stranger to this emergent notion. Incorporating the cladding of a razed barn from the agricultural community of New Haven, MO into the modern shell of the Mercantile Exchange in the heart of Downtown St. Louis is a concept that echoes this catalyst.
Our approach was to embrace the contrasting qualities of the reclaimed material. The design solution became an exploration of figure ground. A single plane of reclaimed barnwood is cut and folded, giving it a fresh form and a new purpose to create positive space. The barnwood is further accentuated by isolating it from the shell space with a continuous ribbon of steel tube. The steel and all welds are left raw with only a clear coat making a bold, directand honest statement. The final touch is a warm, textural surface emphasized by lighting that grazes the planes of the reclaimed barnwood. Negative space was also given design attention with black slate flooring, selected for its complimentary natural qualities. The balance of positive and negative space ultimately forms a diversity of dining experiences while maintaining the bar as a central focus so that all patrons feel connected to the action.
The form and construction techniques are an elaboration and evolution of ideas that are consistently experimented with in our fabrication shop, and designs. We continue to refine, explore, and discover FRESH ideas from LOCAL concepts.