Casa Neri is a small Italian wine and deli restaurant located in the heart of downtown Naples on Fifth Avenue South. The project involved transforming an outdated commercial space—formerly a Subway® restaurant—into an intimate, character-driven dining experience within a highly constrained footprint.

A key design challenge was working around an existing walk-in cooler that the client chose to retain and re-adapt as part of the kitchen and prep area. With limited square footage, the design carefully balances back-of-house functionality with a welcoming hospitality space, maximizing seating, circulation, and visual openness wherever possible.

Attention was given to showcasing the restaurant’s extensive wine selection and fresh deli offerings, integrating display and storage into the architecture itself. Thoughtful lighting, material choices, and spatial sequencing help elevate the compact interior, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere that feels distinctly Italian yet well suited to its urban Naples setting.

The result is a highly efficient, small-scale restaurant that turns spatial limitations into character—proof that good design can thrive even within the tightest constraints.

This award-winning kayak launch and park pavilion was designed as a gateway to the Gordon River—inviting residents and visitors to connect with nature and experience the river landscape firsthand.

The project includes an open-air picnic pavilion with restrooms, kayak and canoe storage, a small maintenance building, a floating dock launch, and a pedestrian bridge linking the site to a future county park and greenway. Together, these elements support recreation, gathering, and outdoor activity in a natural setting.

Durable materials—wood, metal, and concrete—create a restrained, natural presence within the ecologically sensitive site. Passive cooling strategies provide shade and airflow, while thoughtful site planning minimizes disturbance and integrates filter marshes that treat stormwater before it reaches the river. Collected rainwater is reused for non-potable needs, reinforcing the project’s sustainable approach.

Designed as both infrastructure and experience, the project balances environmental stewardship with everyday public use.