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kodo
LOCATION:
SIZE:
PROGRAM:
COMPLETION:
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Los Angeles, CA
5,700 ft²
Cafe, Restaurant, Hotel
2022
Commercial, Hospitality
Located within the Arts District of downtown Los Angeles, Kodo is an urban sanctuary woven into the interstitial space surrounding the historic 1927 Engine Company 17 Firehouse. Translating to “heartbeat” in Japanese, the restaurant transforms a leftover “between space” into a tranquil, zen garden-inspired dining destination, establishing a new cultural anchor along Santa Fe Avenue.
An offset steel backdrop defines the street-level threshold, drawing guests from the active urban fabric into a space of deliberate mystery. Passing through this veiled entry, the environment immediately transitions into a calm, inviting sanctuary, establishing a seamless connection between nature, design, and the culinary experience.
The design utilizes a tactile, elemental material palette consisting of raw steel, boulders, gravel, and monolithic concrete furniture. These heavy, earthen materials evoke a distinct sense of permanence and intention, honoring the 100-year-old historic structure while anchoring it for its next century of use.
Rooted in sustainable practices, the project relies heavily on adaptive reuse. Rather than proposing a net-new build, the architectural intervention strategically occupies the negative space between existing historic structures, minimizing the project's environmental footprint while actively preserving the site's heritage.
The project program extends into boutique hospitality, offering guest suites designed as quiet, tactile retreats. Historic windows flood the minimalist interiors with natural daylight to encourage deep relaxation. Counterbalancing the bright, warm-lit sleeping quarters, the bathroom functions as a moody, distinct volume defined by dark plaster walls and a custom sculptural concrete vanity.
Principal:
Design Team:
Matthew Royce
Prim Yang
Meike Kroger
Swetha Arunkumar
Branding Design:
Photography:
Gry Space
David Wynn
Gry Space