To establish their vibes, many Philly restaurants turn to this architecture firm

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Philadelphia's Most Coveted Restaurants Rely on Unlikely Architectural Firm for their Unique Vibes.

Stokes Architecture + Design, a Philadelphia-based firm with 12 employees, has been quietly shaping the city's culinary landscape for over two decades. Their work is no longer under the radar, as they were recently named one of America's Top Hospitality Architects and Designers by Forbes, joining an elite group of just 100 firms that are redefining fine dining and luxury.

The firm's design director, Lance Saunders, attributes their success to their approach, which he describes as "theatrical" in nature. This approach transforms clients' visions into immersive experiences for diners, taking into account every aspect of the space – what they touch, see, and feel. But it's not just about aesthetics; Stokes collaborates closely with clients to ensure that each project tells a story.

A prime example is Stephen Starr's newest Rittenhouse restaurant, Borromini, which was inspired by traditional Roman trattorias while incorporating historical features of the Alison building. The result is a dramatic space with vaulted ceilings and intricate murals on the windowless backside of the restaurant. "We wanted to give it some drama," Saunders says, "and make that space feel special since it was lacking an immediate connection to the park."

Stokes has worked on numerous high-profile projects in Philadelphia, including Michelin-starred restaurants Friday Saturday Sunday and Provenance, as well as Stephen Starr's other establishments. They've also refurbished Lovers Bar at Friday Saturday Sunday, highlighting the restaurant's "colonial-meets-Hollywood-regency style" while paying homage to its originality.

The firm's portfolio is a testament to their versatility, showcasing work on cafes, hotels, office buildings, and even amusement parks like Morey's Piers. Forbes evaluated Stokes' submission based on metrics such as artistry, craft, materials selection, and siting – the location of a building in relation to its design.

With Philadelphia set to take center stage next year as the country celebrates its 250th anniversary, Saunders hopes that the city's creative spirit will continue to be recognized nationally. Stokes is currently working on Banshee, a new bistro opening at the former Tio Flores site, and Saunders believes this latest project embodies the city's elevated sense of creativity.

As Philadelphia's dining scene continues to evolve, Stokes Architecture + Design remains at the forefront, crafting unique experiences that reflect the city's character and charm. Their commitment to innovative design has paid off, earning them a spot among America's top hospitality architects and designers.
 
I'm not convinced by this article 🤔. I mean, who are these guys Stokes Architecture + Design? How did they go from 12 employees to one of the top hospitality firms in America? It sounds like a pretty quick rise to fame, especially if Forbes is crediting them as one of the 100 elite firms that are redefining fine dining and luxury. I'd love to see some more information about their background and credentials 📚.

And what's with this "theatrical" approach they have? Is it just a fancy way of saying "we're really good at designing spaces"? I need more details on how this works, especially since it involves "collaborating closely with clients to ensure that each project tells a story". What kind of story are we talking about here? And who's benefiting from these stories? 💸

I also find it interesting (and maybe a bit suspicious) that Forbes is only featuring Stokes Architecture + Design in an article about Philadelphia's top restaurants. Are there other firms working on similar projects that aren't getting the same recognition? 🤷
 
OMG 🤯 I'm so late to this thread but I just found out about Stokes Architecture + Design and their designs for Philly restaurants are insane 🔥 I mean who knew being "theatrical" could make a restaurant feel so special? Their work is like an immersive experience, you know? 🎭 I've been meaning to try Borromini since it opened but I guess I'll have to add it to my list now. And that they worked on Friday Saturday Sunday and Provenance too, wow! They must be geniuses or something 😂
 
🤣 I mean, who wouldn't want their restaurant to feel like a dramatic Italian villa? 😏 Stokes Architecture + Design is like the ultimate party planners for restaurants, minus the drama of actual planning. Their approach to design is all about creating an immersive experience that's equal parts Instagram-worthy and comfy enough for you to actually sit down and eat.

I love how they incorporate historical features into their designs - it's like they're paying homage to the building while also saying "hey, we know this place has character, let's just amplify it". And with a portfolio as diverse as theirs (amusement parks? really?), I'm curious to see what other crazy-creative projects they have up their sleeves. 🎉
 
I'm loving the vibe of Stokes Architecture + Design 💕! They're totally killing it with their "theatrical" approach to designing restaurants 🍴🎭. I mean, can you imagine walking into a space that feels like a scene from Rome? 😍 Borromini is giving me all the drama and romance I need for a night out! ❤️ The way they incorporated historical features of the Alison building into the design is genius 🔥. And it's awesome to see them paying homage to their originality while still bringing something fresh to the table 🤩. Morey's Piers amusement park project? Who knew they could make a rollercoaster look cool 😎! Anyway, I'm super stoked for Banshee, their new bistro opening soon 🍽️!
 
You know, I think this is a great reminder that even in the most unexpected places, there's always room for creativity and self-expression 🤯. Stokes Architecture + Design might have started as a small firm with 12 employees, but they've managed to leave their mark on the culinary landscape of Philadelphia by taking risks and pushing boundaries.

It's also really interesting how their approach is so "theatrical" in nature – it's not just about making something look pretty; it's about creating an immersive experience that transports people to another world. And I think that's what makes their work so compelling: it's not just about aesthetics, but about storytelling and connection.

I wonder, though, if there's a way for us as consumers to appreciate the process behind these kinds of design decisions? Like, we might love the end result, but do we ever stop to think about how the architects came up with that vision in the first place? It's almost like they're creating these mini-works of art within their designs... 🤔
 
I'm so over these fancy restaurants in Philly 🤣. Like seriously, who needs that much drama in their dining experience? I mean Borromini sounds like some overhyped theme park ride 🎠. And what's with the murals on the windowless backside of the restaurant? Is that just gonna scare off potential customers or what? 😂
 
I'm loving this! 🤩 I mean, who wouldn't want their restaurant to feel like a mini spectacle? 😍 Stokes Architecture + Design is seriously killing the game with their "theatrical" approach. I love how they collaborate with clients to create immersive experiences that tell a story. It's not just about slapping some fancy designs on a building, it's about creating an entire atmosphere that makes you feel something. And the fact that they've worked on so many high-profile projects in Philly is no surprise - the city has such a great energy and creative vibe! 🌆

I'm also super curious to check out Banshee, their new bistro opening at Tio Flores site. I hope it's just as awesome as their other projects. And can we talk about how they managed to transform that Alison building into a dramatic space with vaulted ceilings and murals? 🔥 Genius! 💡
 
i'm loving the vibe of philly restaurants these days, especially with stokes architecture + design behind the scenes. they're all about creating an experience that makes you feel something, whether it's drama or history. borromini is straight fire, i mean who wouldn't want to dine in a roman trattoria-inspired space? and i'm so down for the colonial-meets-hollywood-regency style at lovers bar... philly's got some amazing talent behind these restaurants and stokes is definitely one of them 🤩🍴
 
I'm thinkin' what's up with all these restaurants in Philly takin' inspiration from other places... like Rome or whatever? It's not just about the food, it's about creatin' this whole vibe, right? I mean, Borromini sounds amazin', all them vaulted ceilings and murals. But at the same time, it's kinda cool that they're takin' from other cultures to make somethin' new & special in Philly 🤔🍴
 
🤔 I'm loving how Stokes Architecture + Design is bringing this theatrical vibe to Philly's restaurants. It's like stepping into an immersive experience that makes you feel like you're part of the story. The way they collaborate with clients to incorporate historical features and create drama in spaces... it's just magic 🎨🍴. And I'm so excited to see what their latest project, Banshee, has in store! 👀 As Philly prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, it's awesome to see the city's creative spirit shining through in every corner of the city. Can't wait to check out Borromini and Friday Saturday Sunday for myself 📍
 
omg i love stokes architecture + design their vibe is literally one of my fave things about philly restaurants 🤩 they're so good at creating this immersive experience for diners its not just about the food anymore its about the whole atmosphere 🌃 like borromini and friday saturday sunday are total game changers i'm lowkey obsessed with how they incorporate history and culture into their designs its so cool to see philly's culinary scene get recognized by forbes yay stokes is def making philly shine even brighter 💫
 
omg i am literally obsessed with stokes architecture + design they are genius!! 🤯 i mean have you seen borromini in rittenhouse?? it's like stepping into a roman trattoria but with the most dramatic touches ever the way they incorporated historical features of the alison building is pure magic. and lance saunders' approach to design is so theatrical it's like an experience, not just a restaurant or cafe. i love how they collaborate with clients to tell a story with each project it's not just about aesthetics, it's about creating memories. and that portfolio? woah. they've worked on everything from micelene-starred restaurants to amusement parks... can't wait to see what banshee is all about! 🤔
 
I'm not entirely convinced by this article 🤔. What makes Stokes Architecture + Design so special? Is it really just about creating "theatrical" spaces that tell a story? I'd love to see some actual design plans or before-and-after pics to back up their claims 😐. And what's with all the hype around Stephen Starr's restaurants? Are they really that unique? A few historical features and murals don't exactly scream innovation 💡. Plus, how do we know that Stokes' approach isn't just a fancy way of saying "we charged more for our services" 🤑. I need some sources to support these claims before I start singing their praises 📚.
 
So I'm reading about this Stokes Architecture + Design firm in Philly and I gotta say, their approach is kinda like how we think about politics - you gotta consider all the angles, right? I mean, they're not just about making it look pretty, they're creating an immersive experience for diners. That's like what politicians do when they're trying to connect with voters - you gotta give them a reason to care.

And have you seen some of these restaurants they've worked on? Like Borromini, that place is like a work of art. It's got drama, it's got history, it's got character. That's what we need more of in Philly - places that reflect our city's unique vibe. And Stokes is all about capturing that.

But here's the thing, I wonder if they're catering too much to the high-end crowd. I mean, Borromini is a pretty upscale joint, right? Is that really reflective of what Philadelphians want? Or are we just a bunch of wealthy folks who love our fine dining? It makes me think about how politicians cater to different segments of society - do they listen to the people or just the ones with deep pockets?

Anyway, I'm curious to see what Stokes has in store for Banshee. If it's gonna embody Philly's creativity, that'd be awesome.
 
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