San Francisco really appreciates eco friendly green initiatives. Bar Agricole got its share of praise when it opened last year. The raw materials used for its food is natural and sourced mostly from local farms. The décor and the interior of the establishment was highly appreciated by the guests as it was modern and yet eco friendly as a lot of the materials used were recycled and sustainable. The décor incorporated a lot of industrial, recycled, and handcrafted elements. The success of a dining establishment depends both on the food it serves and the ambience it provides and Bar Agricole scores on both fronts.
Now the public appreciation has transformed into an official recognition. The restaurant has won the most coveted of all culinary prizes, the James Beard Award, for the restaurant interior which is designed by Aidlin Darling Design. The business arrangement behind the restaurant is a bit unusual but suits the bohemian attitude of San Francisco. Thad Vogler, the restaurateur had initiated the Bar Agricole project but was finding it difficult to finance the entire project due to recessionary pressures. He requested Aidlin Darling and a team of artisans to pour their sweat equity into the project and become co-owners in the process.
The result is there for everyone to see. There are billowing glass sculptures, by Nikolas Weinstein. The walls are lined with strips of oak reclaimed from whiskey barrels. There are industrial materials used with recycled wood. The building that houses the restaurant was built in 1912 as a warehouse. Now corrugated-zinc curtains have changed the look of the building completely. Bar Agricole has scored a lot of green points in the process. It has found a well deserved place on AIA/COTE’s list of top green projects, and Aidlin Darling has applied for LEED Platinum.
Via: fastcodesign
