OG Zaza Pizza Concept

Overview:

Studio M Architects designed a contemporary space for OG Zaza Pizza, a New Haven-style thin crust pizza concept. The 2,200 square foot restaurant combines practical elements of a self-order pizza establishment with playful design features that showcase the pizza-making process. The design balances vibrant color accents against a neutral backdrop, creating a casual yet distinctive dining environment with an interactive customer experience.

Project Goals:

Distinctive Pizza Experience: Create a space highlighting New Haven-style thin crust pizza preparation
Interactive Elements: Design areas allowing customers to watch pizza-making and interact with chefs
Bold Visual Identity: Incorporate vibrant color pops and graphic statements against a neutral background
Functional Layout: Develop an efficient self-order concept with kiosks and appropriate dining areas

Design and Implementation:

Layout and Spatial Planning:
- Self-order kiosks for streamlined customer ordering
- Open pizza preparation area with viewing window for customer engagement
- Interactive zones including arcade games for entertainment
- Efficient service layout allowing visual connection between customers and chefs
- Strategic seating arrangement complementing the casual dining concept
Material Selection and Atmosphere:
- Polished concrete flooring for durability and easy maintenance
- Vertical wood batten details adding texture and warmth
- Marble countertops providing quality surface finishes
- Black soffits creating definition in the ceiling plane
- Gray and black background palette serving as a neutral canvas for color accents
Branding and Thematic Elements:
- Vibrant red pizza oven serving as a focal point
- Bold red chairs providing consistent color accents throughout
- Custom lighting fixtures made from repurposed pizza peels
- Decorative shelving displaying signature tomato cans and pizza-making tools
- Large-scale graphics and playful statements like “sauced and cut” reinforcing brand personality

Challenges:

Creating a simple yet distinctive design within budget constraints
Balancing the operational needs of a self-order concept with an engaging customer experience
Integrating functional food preparation areas that also serve as visual entertainment
Developing a space that feels energetic and fun while remaining practical for high-volume service

Outcome:

The completed OG Zaza Pizza Concept successfully delivers a vibrant, interactive pizza dining experience. The straightforward design elements – concrete floors, wood battens, and marble countertops – provide a clean backdrop that allows the red accents and pizza-making activities to take center stage. Customers enjoy multiple engagement points, from watching their pizzas being prepared through the pizza window to interacting with chefs and playing arcade games. The energetic atmosphere is enhanced by lively music and bold graphic statements throughout the space. This project demonstrates how thoughtfully combined simple design elements can create a distinctive dining environment with personality and functional excellence, perfectly suited to a contemporary pizza concept.