Project: dosa by DOSA Restaurant
Architecture: Feldman Architecture
General Contractor: Terra Nova Industries
Furnishings and Interiors Consultant: Anna Molina A2M Design
Kitchen Consultant: Next Step Design and Nahum Goldberg Associates
Mechanical Engineer: MHC Engineers
Lighting Design: Melinda Morrison Lighting
Structural Engineer: Coffman Engineers
Branding Consultant: IDEO
Location: Oakland, California
Area: 3,600 sf
Year 2018
Photography: Kassie Borreson
dosa by DOSA brings the energetic warmth and spirit of Mumbai street food to the easy-going Uptown Oakland neighborhood. We took full advantage of high ceilings and abundant natural light in the century-old, brick-and-timber building at 2301 Broadway. Hand-crafted interpretations of traditional Indian elements play with new and old, developing an enduring design idiom for future dosa restaurant locations.
dosa by DOSA is street corner casual and quick. An all-day bar keeps the energy light and lively from breakfast through dinner. The open kitchen and its wood clad hearth showcase the handwork of creating fresh dosa. The vibrant colors and unconventional textures were chosen to complement, but not upstage the dynamic food. Highlighting the meeting of Oakland and Mumbai, two large mural walls commissioned from local artists transports the customer from Oakland to India and promises fresh discoveries with every family dinner, casual cocktail, or morning chai.
The experience at Dosa restaurant is guided by its architectural simplicity. Upon entering the space, the ‘unconventional bar’ to the right acts as the primary point of contact for customer and wait staff before maneuvering guests into the crosswise dining area.
“The architecture greets you,” says Nick Polansky of Feldman Architecture, “our focus was to make the space intuitive and give customers control over their own participation.” Without a traditional hostess and wait staff, visitors are encouraged to navigate their own journey through the restaurant, instructed by its straightforward symmetry and design.
Beautiful, healthful, soulful spaces that inspire people and enhance our communities: those are the objectives of Feldman Architecture. In collaboration with our talented dosa team and aligned with our clients’ vision, this Uptown Oakland project’s resourceful design, fine materials, and thoughtful detailing make Dosa restaurant both journey and destination.
