The owners of Bar Shiru, the first Bay Area hi-fi listening bar, explored several potential sites before selecting a raw, 1500-square-foot concrete space in Oakland’s historic 1928 Latham Square Building in the Uptown district. We transformed a double-height, industrial space with exposed concrete beams and steel into a serene vinyl-focused lounge. A spatial arrangement of small intimate zones flow into a larger communal area,  offering a rare blend of inclusivity and openness, setting the stage for a distinctive social experience.

With multi-room, high-end audio equipment, the design responds by highlighting the custom LM-812 speakers,  DJ booth with glass tube amps and audiophile turntables. The ceilings are treated with 2” thick acoustic panels, while sound-absorbing jazz-great photo panels line the bar area. Custom maple wood screens and a 15-foot-high “record wall” not only define the space visually, but also break up and diffuse sound waves, creating a warm, immersive acoustic environment. (For more about the audio, see The Absolute Sound article by Pam Torno here.)