Gra Pizza Restaurant Los Angeles by Red Deer

Nestled in Los Angeles’ Echo Park is Grá, a new artisan sourdough pizza and natural wine restaurant. The name, meaning love in Irish, is seemingly perfectly suited to a project which became an opportunity for both the client and the architect to produce an outcome aligned to what they love, be it sourdough or building materials. The restaurant’s design became a collaborative process between LA, London & Barcelona-based design practice, Red Deer, and passionate restaurant owner, Michael McSharry.

The 325 sqm interior is loosely separated into three different zones – the main internal dining adjoining the kitchen, plus off-street dining area and a light-filled internal courtyard. Despite this, each space feels as though it flows into the next, a continued colour palette and refined use of material meshing the spaces together.

A soft pink curtain, hung in the entrance, slowly dances in the passing breeze – a quiet moment that perfectly captures the relaxed atmosphere of the restaurant that lies within. Each design decision involved in the creation of this project evokes a feeling of effortlessness as if the materials, furnishings and finishes organically found their home here. However, this finely balanced equilibrium has not existed in harmony for years. Instead, it was meticulously curated and sculpted by its creators.

There was a significant focus on reusing and repurposing materials, many pieces saved from reclaimed yards and collected from Los Angeles builders’ merchants. The restaurant unfolds underneath the original trusses of an old barn, the concrete core of the building still standing as a reminder of the previous narratives lingering in the space. There is a sensitive dialogue between ‘what was’ and ‘what will be’, laying forgotten marble pieces together to form a new character-filled, colourful bar top.

If the smells escaping from the huge woodfired oven, or the delicious selection of wine wasn’t enough to lull the patrons into a feeling of ease, then the muted, natural-toned colour palette will do the trick. Creamy table tops, circular timber chairs and a patchwork of grey tiles lining the underside of the bar combine to create textural interest while maintaining a calm environment. Mirrors reflect the green arms of neighbouring plants, bouncing light around an already open, airy and light-filled interior.

The simple design approach allows each piece and its material qualities to be magnified, the craftsmanship and detail are able to be celebrated free from loud distractions. The 40,000 individually laid granite setts are the perfect example.

Instead of its rhythmic, repetitive pattern becoming lost underfoot, the time and love that went into its creation can be properly showcased. The tiles becoming a quiet but beautiful carpet guiding guests in their experience through the restaurant.