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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AIA/LA ANNOUNCES THE FINALISTS FOR THE 2009 RESTAURANT DESIGN

AWARDS
Projects From Around the World In the Running for the First Nationwide RDAs

Los Angeles, CA (May 27, 2009) – The American Institute of Architects Los Angeles
(AIA/LA) is pleased to announce the list of finalists for the 2009 Restaurant Design Awards
(RDAs). For the first time since the RDAs inception in 2005, AIA/LA has extended the
reach of one of its most popular awards programs by accepting projects from any US-
based firm or venue for consideration. This year, the list of finalists includes restaurants,
cafés/bars, and lounges/nightclubs from California, Texas, and Colorado. International
entries from Brazil and China also made the list, making this a truly global competition.
The winners will be announced at the 5th Annual Restaurant Design Awards Ceremony at
Mobius LA hosted during the Dwell on Design conference on Friday, June 26.

“We’re thrilled to make the RDAs a global program that looks throughout the United
States and beyond to recognize excellence in restaurant design,” said Carlo Caccavale,
Hon. AIA/LA, Associate Director of AIA/LA. “Good design and great food are universally
exciting subjects and we’re happy to bring them together in this special awards program.”

The panel of distinguished jurors, composed of JONATHAN GOLD (Restaurant Critic, LA

Weekly), CEDD MOSES (Founder/CEO, 213), MICHAEL PALLADINO, FAIA (Design Partner,
Richard Meier & Partners Architects), LOUISE (LU) SANDHAUS (Graphic Designer, LSD:
Louise Sandhaus Design) convened and designated the following projects for recognition
as finalists in each category:

RESTAURANT FINALISTS
AK Restaurant + Bar | architect: PADesign | designer: Dn/A (Venice, CA)
Bottega Louie | designer: view design studi0 (Los Angeles, CA)
Chaya Downtown | architect & designer: Poon Design Inc. (Los Angeles, CA)
Drago Centro | designer: Felderman Keatinge + Associates (Los Angeles, CA)
Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck | architect: McCall Design Group | designer: EDG Interior
Architecture + Design (Dallas, TX)
Gingko Bacchus Restaurant | designer: Graft (Chengdu, China)
Houston's Restaurant | architect & designer: Frederick Fisher & Partners (Denver, CO)
KAA Restaurant Studio | architect & designer: Studio Arthur Casas NY (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
La Condesa | architect: Michael Hsu Design Office | designer: Joel Mozersky (Austin, TX)
Luau | architect: Kelly Architects | designer: Loree Rodkin (Beverly Hills, CA)
Rivera Restaurant | architect: Osvaldo Maiozzi | designer: Sotto Studios (Los Angeles, CA)
CAFÉ/BAR FINALISTS
Huckleberry | architect & designer: Montalba Architects, Inc. (Santa Monica, CA)
Kara's Cupcakes | architect & designer: Montalba Architects, Inc. (San Francisco, CA)
the Lab Gastropub | architect & designer: AC Martin AC Martin (Los Angeles, CA)

LOUNGE/NIGHTCLUB FINALISTS
The Conga Room | architect & designer: Belzberg Architects (Los Angeles, CA)
Yoshi's San Francisco | architect & designer: Morimoto Matano Kang Architects (San
Francisco, CA)

“There was an incredibly rich diversity of well crafted entries this year,” remarked Michael
Palladino, FAIA. “It was clear from the entries this year that design integrity up front
carries over to every level of the experience,” added Cedd Moses. “It was refreshing to
see a few designs this year that really break with the typical, accepted modern vernacular
we’ve been seeing for years,” said Lu Sandhaus. “As with the best restaurant cooking, the
best restaurant design reflects a strong sense of place, and that came out more powerfully
this year than ever” said Jonathan Gold.

The People’s Choice Award is also back this year by popular demand. AIA/LA asks fans of
haute design and good cuisine to weigh in with their vote for their favorite finalist. Voting
opens today and closes on June 22 at noon. Winners of the People’s Choice Award will be
announced at the awards ceremony on June 26. Vote online at www.aialosangeles.org.

About AIA/LA and the RDAs

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is the voice of the architecture profession,
dedicated to serving and empowering its members through advocacy, educational and
outreach programs as well as educating the public on the value and importance of
architecture. AIA/Los Angeles is a not-for-profit professional membership association. The
Restaurant Design Awards (RDAs) honor excellence in restaurant design. The competition
is open to all individuals and practices (both restaurant owners and architects/designers)
for projects located in the United States or projects outside of the USA done by US-based
architects/designers. Submissions are accepted in three main categories: restaurants and
café/bar and lounge/nightclub.

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