https://www.architecturalrecord.com/rss/2286 en-us Nestled in a 19th-century brick warehouse that once served as a power station for San Francisco’s formerly industrial South of Market district, the Michelin-starred Saison feels more like a communal eatery than a place where cultish foodies drop $400 on an 18-to-20-course dinner.

]]> 1311-saison-jiun-ho.asp Fri, 15 Nov 2013 23:30:00 -0500 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/7690-saison An exposed white kitchen spills into Saison’s dining area (slide 2). To minimize the room’s height—which peaks at 30 feet—interior designer Jiun Ho suspended steel frames from SaisonJiun Ho / Samaha+Hart Architecture / Michael GibsonSan FranciscoAn exposed white kitchen spills into Saison’s dining area (slide 2). To minimize the room’s height—which peaks at 30 feet—interior designer Jiun Ho suspended steel frames from the exposed oak ceiling (left). Outfitted with movable gimbal fixtures housing LED MR 16s, these serve as the restaurant’s primary lighting system and act as a lower second ceiling.Photo © Bruce Damonte An exposed white kitchen spills into Saison’s dining area (left). To minimize the room’s height—which peaks at 30 feet—interior designer Jiun Ho suspended steel frames from the SaisonJiun Ho / Samaha+Hart Architecture / Michael GibsonSan FranciscoAn exposed white kitchen spills into Saison’s dining area (left). To minimize the room’s height—which peaks at 30 feet—interior designer Jiun Ho suspended steel frames from the exposed oak ceiling (slide 1). Outfitted with movable gimbal fixtures housing LED MR 16s, these serve as the restaurant’s primary lighting system and act as a lower second ceiling.Photo © Bruce Damonte The designers dropped the ceiling over the kitchen to a height of 12 feet, painted it white, and concealed HVAC, grease traps, and plumbing above the soffit. A narrow concrete loft that houses wine st SaisonJiun Ho / Samaha+Hart Architecture / Michael GibsonSan FranciscoThe designers dropped the ceiling over the kitchen to a height of 12 feet, painted it white, and concealed HVAC, grease traps, and plumbing above the soffit. A narrow concrete loft that houses wine storage and other back-of-house functions recedes from view under a coat of charcoal paint.Photo © Bruce Damonte Though the bright white kitchen commands attention in the loftlike space (left) the dining tables are also bathed in light to stage a personal experience for guests. SaisonJiun Ho / Samaha+Hart Architecture / Michael GibsonSan FranciscoThough the bright white kitchen commands attention in the loftlike space (left) the dining tables are also bathed in light to stage a personal experience for guests.Photo © Bruce Damonte