Easily one of Detroit’s most recognized and celebrated eateries of the last decade, Kuzzo’s Chicken and Waffles has fast become a destination on the city’s northwest side, along the historic Avenue of Fashion. Teaming with Kuzzo’s founder, Ron Bartell, a Detroit native and veteran NFL cornerback, and Joshua Smith, fellow creative director extrordinare and dear friend, we set out to create an impactful and lasting impression that would serve residents of the surrounding area, while raising the design aesthetic and expectation in one of the city’s most noteworthy neighborhoods.

From the beginning, our goal was to create a fun, approachable and signature community-centric restaurant. We worked with the restaurant founders to custom-craft the Kuzzo’s ‘K’ and chicken emblem, and to overhaul the building facade (left behind in the early ‘80s) by implementing an eye-catching horizontal cedar facade and striking palette of deep reds and golden honey colors; capturing the warmth and savory sweetness of Kuzzo’s signature dish to welcome patrons. Immediately upon opening, Kuzzo’s became a landmark and a beloved establishment, tripling their first year sales projections and receiving national press with a buzzing visit from then presidential candidate, Hilary Clinton.