cadet wine bar: napa

A glowing red neon sign beckons, visible down Napa’s First Street Alley…Cadet. Those adventurous enough to wander down it will be rewarded with a renovated mid-century modern building boasting floor to ceiling glazing, gradually revealing an antique mirrored back bar curated with an array of wine bottles and sparkling glassware.

Our design was inspired loosely by the term “cadet,” and is focused on the creation of an inviting bar surrounded by a warm and neutral palette of military blues, grays, and beiges. A reclaimed white oak bar top is formed in a slight chevron shape, where each leg of the bar is slightly angled towards the other, encouraging social interaction amongst the patrons. This chevron shape is further reinforced by a wood planked, navy blue bulkhead above with hanging ‘brass button’ light pendants, whose arrangement forms a more intimate space and reinforces the subtle reference to the military-inspired name.

Layer upon layer of materials from past decades were peeled away during construction, exposing the original 1940’s building shell. The sloping ceiling structure and exposed, patinated concrete floor bring a laid-back character to the space and showcase a bit of the existing building’s unique history. A variety of informal seating and standing areas, punctuated with warm white oak table tops and benches, helps to reinforce the casual and inviting spaces surrounding the bar. A private tasting room off the main bar looks out toward the brick lined pedestrian alley.

Services:
full architectural and interior design services, from conceptual design through construction.

Location:
930 Franklin Alley, Napa, CA

Size:
1,300 square feet

Completion:
Summer 2014

Collaborators:

Mariko Reed: (photography)