Shophouse

After working with Chipotle for several years on their international restaurant development, we collaborated on the prototype design for their new fast-casual brand, Shophouse. Drawn from the beauty and energy of Southeast Asian cities, we developed a humble palette and sensibility to compliment this subtle yet powerful cuisine. We used roasted maple to create a louvred wall system, reminiscent of the façade of a shophouse (a combined commercial and residential building type prevalent in Southeast Asia), to envelope banquette seating while concealing HVAC and AV equipment. Simple concrete floors, cork mosaic tile, and slung light holders create a warm, casual atmosphere. With the first restaurants in California, we took advantage of the single-story buildings with long street fronts to introduce big windows into the kitchens and skylights.