Behind the Design: Developing the Atmosphere for Ba Lao
For Ba Lao bar, we followed the clients’ desire for a space that feels retro, worn-in, and a little rough around the edges. This design explores bold textures, stick-blasted surfaces, and moody lighting—an interior inspired as much by bodegas as by punk zine culture.
Some projects begin with a single image or inspiration. Others—like Ba Lao, the new bar concept by the owners of Ahan—begin with a feeling. During our earliest conversations, the clients spoke about bodegas, lived-in corners, and a space that felt retro, unfussy, and a little bit grungy. Nothing sleek. Nothing overly polished. A place with an edge and a sense of permanence, as if it had always been there.
That direction immediately opened a creative doorway for me. Ba Lao wanted to live a little closer to the street—somewhere between punk zine culture, tattoo art, and the glow of atmospheric late-night lighting.
Early visual influences for Ba Lao, blending neon streetscapes, tattoo motifs, punk attitude, and asian urban culture.
Building Texture Into the Space
One of the early design moves was the clients’ interest in stick-blasted tabletops and counters—a finish that softens hard edges and brings a raw tactile quality to surfaces. It’s imperfect in all the right ways. That finish informed the rest of the palette: materials that feel handled, weathered, or naturally patinated over time.
A Punk-Adjacent Aesthetic
This project became an opportunity to pull in references I don’t always get to play with in commercial hospitality design:
Bold graphic motifs inspired by tattoo linework
Gritty, layered textures that feel like posters wheat-pasted over years
Subdued contrasts, avoiding glossy finishes in favor of matte, worn, or distressed elements
Lighting that feels moody and local, rather than bright and architectural
None of this is literal “punk.” Instead, it’s an atmospheric nod—design that carries a little attitude and looks better once it has a few stories to tell.
Punk-inspired textures and warm lighting create a bold, energetic dining space.
Convex bodega-style mirrors add both character and function—expanding sightlines in the space while offering guests a fun, unexpected spot for selfies.
Retro color tones, and a sticker-blasted host station inspired by tattoo art set the tone for Ba Lao’s bold, lived-in atmosphere—now under construction.
Designing for Feeling, Not Just Function
Ba Lao’s aesthetic is about experience more than perfection—a deliberate contrast to many contemporary hospitality interiors that chase minimalism and precision. Here, we’re embracing roughness, shadow, and unexpected details. It’s the kind of place where you want to stay for one more drink because the light hits the countertop just right.
Where We Are Now
With the design fully developed and construction underway, Ba Lao is stepping out of concept mode and becoming a real, tangible place. Soon you’ll be able to walk in, feel the textures, take in the moody light, and experience the atmosphere for yourself. This project has been a rewarding exploration into raw materials, grit, and character—and we’re excited to see it come alive in Madison’s bar scene.
Behind the Design: A Woodland ADU with Indoor–Outdoor Living
A behind-the-scenes look at a modern ADU designed with natural materials, a stone fireplace wall, wooded views, and a wrap-around porch.
A modern ADU concept featuring natural materials, a stone fireplace wall, and a wrap-around porch overlooking a wooded backyard.
This modern accessory dwelling unit began as a study in how a small home can feel both grounded and expansive. Set on a site with beautiful wooded views, the design uses natural materials—stone, warm woods, and exposed structure—to create a sense of comfort and place. A wrap-around porch extends the living space into the landscape, while a stone accent wall anchors the interior with a wood-burning fireplace at its heart. Inside, a flexible bedroom/office niche allows the ADU to adapt to the needs of its future residents. This post shares a behind-the-scenes look at how the concept came together in the studio.
To strengthen the connection to the landscape, the ADU features large sliding doors that open wide to the porch, allowing the interior living spaces to expand outdoors. In warmer months, the porch becomes an extension of the main room—an outdoor living area framed by the shifting textures of the forest. The wooded backdrop acts as a kind of living wallpaper, changing color and character throughout the year. This seasonal movement was a driving force in shaping the architecture, ensuring that the ADU feels connected to its surroundings whether the trees are leafed out, glowing in autumn reds, or standing quiet in winter.
If you’re considering adding an ADU or exploring new ways to make the most of your property, I’d be happy to help you think through the possibilities. Every site and homeowner has a unique story, and good design can bring those stories to life. Feel free to reach out with questions or ideas—I’m always glad to talk about what thoughtful, small-scale architecture can offer.