Feldman Architecture recently designed a new Indian street food-inspired restaurant in Oakland, California. 'dosa by DOSA' brings the energetic warmth and spirit of Mumbai street food to the easy-going Uptown Oakland neighborhood.
The design team took full advantage of high ceilings and abundant natural light in the century-old, brick-and-timber building at 2301 Broadway. Hand-crafted interpretations of traditional Indian elements play with new and old, developing an enduring design idiom for future dosa by DOSA locations.
dosa by DOSA is street corner casual and quick. An all-day bar keeps the energy light and lively from breakfast through dinner. The open kitchen and its wood clad hearth showcase the handwork of creating fresh dosa. The vibrant colors and unconventional textures were chosen to complement, but not upstage the dynamic food. Highlighting the meeting of Oakland and Mumbai, two large mural walls commissioned from local artists transports the customer from Oakland to India and promises fresh discoveries with every family dinner, casual cocktail, or morning chai.
The experience at dosa by DOSA is guided by its architectural simplicity. Upon entering the space, the 'unconventional bar' to the right acts as the primary point of contact for customer and wait staff before maneuvering guests into the crosswise dining area. "The architecture greets you," explained Nick Polansky of Feldman Architecture, "our focus was to make the space intuitive and give customers control over their own participation." Without a traditional hostess and wait staff, visitors are encouraged to navigate their own journey through the restaurant, instructed by its straightforward symmetry and design.
Photography: Kassie Borreson