snøhetta chosen to renovate the french laundry restaurant in california

snøhetta has been chosen to overhaul the french laundry – thomas keller’s michelin star restaurant in napa county, california. snøhetta, who will serve as the lead design and landscape architect, will work in close collaboration with california-based firms envelopeA+D, as executive architect, and tim harrison of harrison & koellner as kitchen designer. once completed, the renovation will include an expanded kitchen and courtyard, an auxiliary building to house a wine cellar, and a new arrival experience designed to enhance the approach to the restaurant’s distinguished blue door.

framed views through a stone wall orient guests to the french laundry’s famous entrance
image © snøhetta (also main image)

the landscape design doubles the size of the existing garden, providing a new vehicular drop-off entry that extends the guest experience to the street’s edge. the scheme frames views through a stone wall in order to orient guests towards the french laundry’s famous entrance. additionally, the new building’s exterior cladding features a frit pattern that has been developed from layering sketches based on the choreography of a chef’s hands at work.

custom ceilings evoke a white linen cloth being gently unfurled across a table
image © snøhetta

inside, custom ceilings evoke a white linen cloth being gently unfurled across a table, while simultaneously hiding the ceiling’s functional elements. the sweeping vaults create large skylights that allow ample day light to enter, while sound-dampening panels reduce ambient noise. the new kitchen is also equipped with customized ventilated ceiling systems that use remote sensors to continually control air flow.

the new structure allows diners to see the chefs at work
image © snøhetta

in addition to expanding the kitchen’s size by 25%, the remodeling makes for a more efficient use of space, creating one contiguous room for the entire culinary team. the construction of a new kitchen annex contains the french laundry’s support functions, while also boasting a 14,000 bottle cellar to store to the french laundry’s regarded wine collection. during construction, shipping containers will be used as modular units to accommodate a temporary kitchen in the restaurant’s former courtyard.

the restaurant’s famed blue door
image courtesy of the french laundry by deborah jones

project info:

design architect & landscape architect: snøhetta
executive architect: envelope A+D
local horticulture specialist: terremoto
kitchen designer: harrison, koellner LLC
acoustician: arup
construction manager: wright construction
ceiling manufacturer: kreysler & associates
solar panels: NRG
anti-microbial dekton quartz: cosentino of north america
fuel cell technology: bloom energy
moltini suites: electrolux
commercial ranges: hestan commercial
ventilated ceiling systems: halton americas