I-Squared Restaurant

I-squared is a 34 seat Italian-Iranian fusion restaurant on College Avenue, one of Oakland’s, CA, prime commercial and retail districts.

Within the existing long and narrow shell, a series of interlocking spaces connect the three main areas of the restaurant; kitchen, bar and dining area, while establishing clearly definable zones that separate and tie the entire space together. The material and color palette is simple yet warm, providing for a comfortable and modern experience. Cylindrical custom lights placed at various heights over the dining tables, in combination with a dramatic dropped soffit over the bar area simultaneously accentuate the existing tall ceiling height, while adjusting the scale of the space to a human level. The wood flooring wraps up the walls and meanders at various heights along the walls, visually and physically tying the entire space together.

Nottoscale created a comprehensive design vision, integrating the functional requirements of the restaurant – including space and kitchen planning – with the overall interior design and the material palette as well as custom designing all the built-in cabinetry and pendant light fixtures in order to achieve a unique and harmonious dining experience throughout.