While the neighborhood surrounding Cosetta has seen growth and is buzzing with residential and tech office tenants, the vacant, somewhat dated brick building located in a corporate business park felt out of place in sunny, wellness-obsessed Santa Monica. Studio UNLTD set out to tackle this challenge by transforming the space into one that aligns with the needs and character of the community by inviting an exchange between the tranquility of nature and the architecture of the interior. To achieve this, the design interprets the aspirational lifestyle of the Italian kitchen garden through the lens of a forward-looking, modern aesthetic where the transition between indoors and out is softened, and materiality and forms are approachable yet elevated.
Upon entry, one is met with a modern take on the classic Italian motif of repeating arches and colonnades. Taking advantage of the increased ceiling height over the bar area, the arches create a dramatic spatial moment with an end-view perspective in which the arches seem to repeat infinitely in back-painted glass. At the back bar, the columns of the arches rise up the wall then vault over to delicately drop partially over the counter.
Chef Zack Pollack had a clear vision of having the restaurant seamlessly extend from the dining room onto the patio, and the entire dining room is set against a wall of glazing keeping an open view to the patio. Windows are also operable, allowing the flow of energy and aromas from inside to outside. Because the majority of seating for the restaurant is actually outside, the patio assumes an especially important role as an extension of the dining room. Varied loose and built-in seating areas are nestled between a network of curved Corten steel planters lush with greenery. Natural materials like the white brick of the built-in dining benches and the custom tabletops create a neutral palette. Seating, including an outdoor PDR and firepit lounge, feature rust and deep green pillows, extending the colors from the interior to the outside and connecting the aesthetics of the garden to the interior.
The color palette of the MDR is rooted in earthy, muted tones found in Mediterranean regions such as the rust red color of the marble bar top, the deep green of the back bar and arches, and the sandy and peachy hues of the walls and ceiling of the dining room. Warm wood tones dominate the furniture, with custom booths and banquettes featuring plush fir green leather and antique rose-colored upholstery. A soft glow of light emanating from behind the banquette and booths washes across the ceiling, layers of light adding depth and drama to the dining room, highlighting rich wall textures like plaster and limewashed brick.
The design team did as little as possible to the existing structure, leaving the envelope largely intact, yet adding skylights to bring natural light to the MDR and adding an exterior shade structure.
Cosetta
Studio UNLTD
Bronze

1 / 12

Judith Haase
Architect
at Gonzalez Haase AAS
7
6
7
7
6.75

Jelle Sapulete
Design Director
at Adidas
6
6
7
5
6

alberto caiola
Design Director
at Alberto Caiola Studio
6
6
7
8
6.75

Justin Bridgland
Founding Partner
at More Design Office
Concrete looks great, and space has...
6
4
6
7
5.75

Florian Seidl
Design Manager
at Lavazza
Quite different from your average s...
7
4
7
5
5.75

Royce Epstein
Design Director
at Mohawk Group
Not understanding how this function...
5
4
6
3
4.5

darren nolan
Associate
at Peter Marino Architect
7
7
7
5
6.5

Tetsuya Matsumoto
Head Architect
at KTX archiLAB
6
5
6
5
5.5

Shannon Pringle
Interior Designer
at Bernardon
6
3
6
8
5.75

Julie Payette
Cofounder and Partner
at v2com newswire
Like the rawness of the walls and t...
7
6
7
6
6.5

Matteo Renna
Founder
at matteorenna | studio
7
5
7
6
6.25

Simona Franci
Principal and Design Director
at Fortebis
The space is interesting but does n...
6
4
6
4
5

P.C.Ee
Editor & Creative Director
at industry+
6
5
6
4
5.25

Jaycee Chui
Founding partner
at More design office
6
5
6
5
5.5
Designer
Client
Zach Pollack
Floor area
223 ㎡
Completion
2025
Budget
2,049,250 pounds
Finishes
Finishes
Finishes
Furniture
Furniture
Accessories
Furniture
Furniture
Furniture
Furniture
Furniture
Furniture
Lighting
LATEST SUBMISSIONS
MORE PROJECTS
Sarah & Sebastian Armadale
Gold

Trade Fair Stand for Blum
Silver

Corporate Office CapeTown
Gold

Di Ognuno 2025
Gold

Blue Bottle Coffee Toyosu Park Cafe
Gold
-thumb.jpg)
TNH Lab_Barrel
Gold
Gold

Humanitree School – Hive and Flight
Gold
-thumb.jpg)
Taj Cidade De Goa Heritage
Gold

Ginza Sen-Ryo
Gold

Uni-ssentials by TDS New Balance
Gold