Los Angeles sometimes faces derision for itslack of history, but one beloved element of its past is being revived in Culver City. As of last November, Helms Bakery, which baked and delivered bread to Angelenos from 1931 to 1969, is now back in action, this time as a market hall with a forthcoming all-day cafeand, of course, a bakery. To lead the project, Studio UNLTD channeled a bit of nostalgia when incorporating elements of the original industrial bakery space but largely pushed a design that looks more to the future than the past. To be able to pump life into something and give the district back its heritage was really the thing that drew me to this project, Greg Bleier, founding principal of Studio UNLTD, told AN. Bleier, a seasoned interior designer for revered area restaurants such as Bestia and Bavel, also jumped at the chance to work with the chef and restaurateur Sang Yoon, who spearheaded this latest addition to the Helms District, where he operates a location of his beloved restaurant Fathers Office amid design showrooms, retail shops, and an art bookstore.The new market and restaurant from chef Sang Yoon revives the name and location of a legendary Los Angeles bread brand that closed in 1969. (Stephen Paul)The chef is known in part for his obstinacy about condiments: His Office burger is famously served as is, topped with caramelized onion, bacon, and Gruyre, with no substitutions and no ketchup. At Helms Bakery, Yoon collaborated with Studio UNLTD more cordially, perhaps, though Bleier noted that the concept took some inspiration from the chefs appreciation of the popular upscale Erewhon markets; Bleier also indulged Yoons desire to include a vintage-style flipboard, which announces daily specials. (Yoons team operates the entire market.)Oak cladding skirts the front of the counters.(Stephen Paul)Otherwise, Studio UNLTD set out to design a flow that would allow customers to shop from Helms Bakerys various counters, picking up coffee and juice pastries, as well as provisions, in a seamless experience. Im a big fan of facades that step in, Bleier said with a laugh. The first thing I did was step the facade of the building to create a covered patio area so that [we] werent just pushing people out onto the street. From there, Studio UNLTD employed an eyebrow element to create a datum to define the stalls; branding from local firm folklor adds to the retro-chic vibe. Bleier and his team leveraged existing elements from the building, including a bow-trussed roof and skylights that bathe the space in light while incorporating what he referred to as the basic tectonics of architecture, like character oak cladding on the skirt fronting the counters, plaster finishings, concrete, glass, and steel. The 6,880-square-foot main floor is dotted with subtle art deco elements, while khaya mahogany planks were used to create custom checkout stands, a nod to the Helms Bakery delivery coaches and their wooden racks.Studio UNLTDs design for Helms Bakery features subtle art deco references, with like minded branding by folklor. (Stephen Paul)Studio UNLTDs designs spin the projects inherent nostalgia with a contemporary touch. The forthcoming cafe, Dinette, also from Yoon, will feature an entry with fluted-glass panels. Inside, antique mirror and glass frame the seating areas.Studio UNLTD aimed to celebrate the history of the Helms Bakery brand with elements such as antique-inspired mirrors while maintaining a fresh-looking design scheme. (Stephen Paul)The cleanliness and brightness and the simplicity of it is where that modernity shines, Bleier explained of the renovated Helms Bakery. Consider it a new addition that also creates another chapter in Los Angeless evolving history.Project SpecificationsDesign Architect: Studio UNLTDArchitect of Record: Oakes ArchitectsGeneral Contractor: WNM RealtyInterior Design: Studio UNLTDStructural Engineering: Reiss Brown EkmekjiElectrical Engineering: Creative Engineering GroupLighting Design: Studio UNLTDGlazing Contractor: Rubens Glass ServiceAV: SquareEye NetworksSignage/Wayfinding: FolklorWindows: Torrance SteelLighting: Neptune Glassworks, Lusive, Nuura, RejuvenationArchitectural Lighting: Amerlux, Core Lighting, Tivoli, BK Lighting, Columbia Lighting