The Roxy
Design Brief:
Set within a raw industrial shell, this French-fusion restaurant is organized around a single, continuous curved spine—a spatial gesture that quietly choreographs the experience from arrival to last drink. The spine acts as both divider and connector, separating the intimacy of the dining room from the energy of the bar while allowing each to remain perceptually linked.
On one side, the bar unfolds as a generous, social counterpoint to the dining experience. Its form is playful and tactile: curved oak millwork, fluted details, and softly rounded edges invite leaning, lingering, and conversation. Warm woods temper the exposed structure and concrete, while jewel-toned accents appear sparingly—never loud, always intentional—adding moments of delight without overwhelming the space. The bar feels crafted rather than designed, as if shaped by use rather than imposed by concept.
On the other side of the spine, dining niches are carved into the curve itself. These semi-enclosed moments create a sense of intimacy within an otherwise expansive volume, allowing tables to feel personal and contained. The curvature gently shields diners from the bustle of the bar while maintaining a visual and acoustic connection, reinforcing the feeling of being part of a shared, lively room.
Material choices balance restraint and warmth. Raw surfaces—exposed ductwork, concrete, and structural elements—remain visible, grounding the space in its industrial origins. Against this backdrop, wood becomes the softening agent: tactile, rhythmic, and human in scale. Color enters as punctuation rather than palette—small, joyful gestures that catch the eye and lift the mood.
The result is a restaurant that feels simultaneously refined and approachable. It is the kind of place that supports many modes of occupation: an intimate dinner tucked into the curve, a spontaneous drink at the bar, or a long conversation that blurs the line between the two. Familiar without being ordinary, it settles easily into the rhythm of the neighborhood—a place you return to not just for the food, but for how it feels to be there.
