Project Data:

Completion Date:     7/1/2019

Square Footage:      5000

Building Use:           Restaurant

Project Description:

Complete renovation of a 5,000 square foot restaurant, kitchen and dining patio for Michelin-starred chef Tony Esnault and restauranteur Yassmin Sarmadi’s new French restaurant, Knife Pleat, located in the haute couture wing of the Orange County California fashion destination, South Coast Plaza. The design team took inspiration from the world of high fashion with architecture that is both tailored and feminine, edgy, and classic.

Aptly named Knife Pleat, the restaurant is a nod to the intermingling of the culinary and fashion worlds, looking to the classic fashion designers for visual themes: Chanel, Dior and Balenciaga. The restaurant design reflects the project’s concept, and modern French cuisine, with being elegant and approachable.

The design palette is muted with a few dramatic accents, the silhouettes are feminine but structured, and the style is modern with classic detailing. Exterior design elements include a storefront comprised of backlit, translucent white onyx walls with polished brass inlays, and large sliding doors of custom patterned glass that open up the restaurant to connect the main dining area to the skylit South Coast Plaza shopping center. A feature bar with a richly veined Calcutta marble top and fluted cast stone base is adjacent to an open kitchen, creating a more intimate connection between the chef and diners. Furniture has been custom crafted in rich walnut, oak, and brass with fabrics in a palette of muted tones. Sculptural settees in deep eggplant and emerald green add drama and provide a mix of settings. The ceiling features curved soffits and a chandelier with glowing porcelain discs that spread above the dining room. A trellised patio allows guests to dine surrounded by vines growing over textured limestone walls.

Firm Name:              Johnson Fain

Completion Date:     7/1/2019

Square Footage:      5000

Building Use:           Restaurant

Location:                 Costa Mesa, California

Project Description:
- Our design process included a step where we gathered our experience from previous hospitality projects to understand what might apply for the design of Knife Pleat.

- This approach reinforced the importance of responding to the requirements of all three categories of stakeholders equally in order to ensure a successful design: the operators (chef and staff), the owners (South Coast Plaza) and the public (diners).

- By being attentive during the design phase, we built the trust to maintain a long-term relationship with the operators and owners. Through open communication, we are able to understand how the restaurant is performing and we are continuing to make adjustments or changes as appropriate.

- Our design strategy included the layering of materiality, providing select views and opportunities for discovery. These range from patterned etchings on glass to a storefront that can be fully opened. A portion of the kitchen is also open to view, allowing diners to delight in seeing the chefs prepare their meal.

Design Architect:
Johnson Fain

Associate Architect or Firm:

Landscape Architect:
Duane Border Design

Owner / Developer:
Tony Esnault
Yassmin Sarmadi

Engineer:
MEP Engineer: Syska Hennessy Group
Structural Engineer: Labib Funk and Associates

General Contractor:
General Contractor: JRM Construction Management West, LLC

Consultant:
Lighting Designer: Kaplan Gehring McCarroll Architectural Lighting

Photographer:
Tom Bonner Photography