L Campo is a new tapas restaurant housed in a 1930s First Street building in downtown Livermore. Over the years, this survivor had been altered by various tenants—including a mid-century storefront addition (see final photo for the pre-remodel condition).
We reimagined the exterior to honor the building’s original design. During demolition, we uncovered the original transom window, which was carefully rebuilt and incorporated into the new storefront. Fresh doors and windows, hand-painted tiles, and large exterior lanterns now highlight the façade, bringing this classic gem back to life.
Inside, the layout was reshaped to maximize volume, natural light, and energy. An open ceiling with a large skylight floods the space with light, drawing attention to the expansive bar, bench seating, and a striking glass curtain wall leading into the kitchen. This open-kitchen concept allows guests to watch the chefs in action, while the glass wall softens the sound between spaces.
Maison Benoit, an award-winning bakery café in downtown Danville, was conceived as a modern interpretation of a French Boulangerie rooted in tradition yet shaped by openness and connection. The design is built around the dual concepts of outside-in and inside-out, ensuring the building engages both the street and the craft within.
Along the storefront, large-format folding doors dissolve the boundary between interior and exterior. This gesture not only floods the café with daylight but also connects the rhythm of downtown directly to the dining space. The transparency continues inside, where expansive windows and deliberate planning frame the production areas—placing the ovens, worktables, and pastry chefs at the center of the visual experience. By exposing the artistry of baking, the design transforms the act of preparation into a defining feature of the café.
Material choices echo the spirit of a classic French bistro, while clean lines and strategic openness give the interior a contemporary sensibility. The result is an architectural stage that celebrates authenticity, craft, and community—where the environment amplifies the artistry of food.
Sanjeev Kapoor is a celebrity Chef in India and across the globe. We designed an ultra inspired 5,000 square foot new restaurant to capture Indian culture and the intense flavors of Chef Kapoor’s amazing cuisine.
A hallmark of the design is the use of color, ceramic etched glass wall and and suspended sound panels for acoustic comfort!
