Housed in a recently renovated post-modern style mini-mall, Alfred Sawtelle is an exercise in minimalism using only color, geometry and pattern as its building blocks.
The long, narrow space is occupied only by a 30 foot long, black and white tile striped counter which extends thru the front glass facade into the outdoor seating area entry. A massive white cube hovers over this entry serving both as roof and billboard, its very form and color boldly separating it from the character of the rest of the mall.
All of these elements are set into a series of simple grids of varying scales, all of which maintain a simple neutrality upon which these few design element can take center stage. The long counter is contrasted by an oversized column which is painted to match simple cylindrical blue tables, creating yet another layer of abstract geometric self reference. The hallmark Venturi-Scott Brown ‘Grandmother’ pattern, used on the ceiling soffit, stands in contrast to the minimalist geometry is all its colorful post modern glory.
