Nadoz Café was given an opportunity to expand both its space and its concept when the adjacent tenant space became available. A wine bar-bistro concept including a full service bar with international wines & craft beers, kitchen/prep area, and seating for 40 guests was a natural transition for the owner who has a history of hospitality success in St. Louis. Located within a mixed use development, the 1400 sf space, which was previously an ice cream shop, required some innovation.
It would be important to build from the history and traditions of the wine industry, however it would be equally important to address the building & programmatic constraints with a fresh modern approach equivalent to the quality of the Nadoz reputation.
The traditional wine crate makes an appropriate analogy for the space. It has a recognizable appearance that is associated with wine and its tectonic parts represent a level of craft consistent with the Nadoz reputation. It consists of 3 main components: a protective outer shell, an interstitial space, and ultimately the product or wine bottle. Conceptually the new construction inserted into the existing shell is an abstraction and modernization of the traditional wine crate.
The protective outer shell consists of a bamboo plywood ribbon interlocked with steel framing. This defines the space and forms a clean modern aesthetic.
The interstitial space is defined by a metal stud trellis and the concrete deck above. Support elements such as mechanical & fire protection sprinklers are located here. The metal studs are spaced in a manner to allow air, sound, and light to pass through. Filling the studs with acoustical insulation allows errant sound from the bar to be absorbed and improves conversational acoustics.
Finally, the product is the occupied space of the wine bar-bistro and the surfaces for presentation of wine and food; reclaimed butcher-block bar top, glowing wine bottles, illuminated signage, chalk boards, and an oversized sliding door.
The Architect led design-build process was critical in executing the project as envisioned. It allowed us to utilize our in-house workshop to fabricate the oversized sliding door and miscellaneous steel throughout.