For three decades, Rockfield Co. Ltd., a Japanese manufacturer and distributor of delicatessen food, has been using its six brands to “respect the goodness nature gives us” by selling foods prepared with quality ingredients from local farmers and suppliers that employ sustainable agriculture techniques.
When company president/ceo Kozo Iwata began looking to expand outside Japan, he was drawn to San Francisco, an epicurean city known for its abundance of fresh artisan food and local producers.
The new location, called DELICA rf-1, is a 2000-square-foot gourmet delicatessen in San Francisco's Ferry Building Marketplace. Designers from CCS Architecture (San Francisco) adapted the brand to the U.S. audience using a sensuous, minimalist environment of light woods and stainless steel accents.
A “sharing” table for in-store dining supports the open and warm mood, which offers fresh salads and foods prepared and displayed in the open.
Client: Rockfield Co. Ltd., Kobe, Japan
Design/Architect: CCS Architecture, San Francisco
Outside Design Consultants: Revolver Design, Emeryville, Calif. (lighting)
Yagi Design, San Francisco (graphics)
Federighi Food Machinery, San Francisco (food service)
Audio/Visual: Pro Media, Hercules, Calif.
Chairs: Arkitektura, San Francisco
Lighting: Revolver Design, Emeryville, Calif.
Signage/Graphics: Yagi Design, San Francisco
Photography: Cesar Rubio Photography, San Francisco
Kitchen zones provide visual excitement, with prepared foods taking the foreground, while the process and raw product provide an essential backdrop.