move past the building, the image is more
abstract because they're separated by large
expanses of glass,"
says Shannon Sterne,
project design archi-
tect for Aria Group
Architects Inc., in
Oak Park, Ill .
Also spanning
the second and
third foors, behind
the bonsai image, a
double-height curtain wall window-glazing
system simultaneously opens the restau-
rant to the outside while giving passersby a
glimpse of what's going on inside.
Playing up the height of the space
inside, LED brass-fnish metal ring pen-
dants are suspended from the third-foor
ceiling at varying heights and angles to
create interest in the open area between
foors. A wood trellis ceiling feature on
the second foor travels across a sofft
and climbs up a wall to the ceiling of
the third foor. Downstairs, the frst-foor
bar area, which opens up to an adjoin-
The frst-foor bar area
has lower ceiling
heights, and darker
fnishes and materials
create a more intimate
atmosphere. The space
opens up to an adjoining
patio.
Photo courtesy of Aria
Group Architects Inc.