Rufa at the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota

Sarasota, FL

The Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry collaborated with our brand team to reimagine the identity of an outdoor restaurant and bar at The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota. Named Rufa, the restaurant pays homage to the Rufa Red Knot, a shorebird known for its remarkable migratory journey from the Canadian Arctic to Tierra del Fuego and back. Rufa serves as a retreat for the local Sarasota community and visitors escaping colder climates. The venue offers 64 seats with stunning water views, allowing guests to savor imaginative cocktails and delectable bites while enjoying breathtaking scenes of the bay and sunset.

The design concept blends the golden hour with Latin culture, particularly the palo santo ritual, used to cleanse spaces and eliminate negative energy. The new space is inspired by the movement of the sunset, with rays of light cascading over the ocean, dancing flames in the fire pit, and the migration of the Rufa Red Knot. The color palette features vibrant poppy oranges and pinks with a rosy hue, complemented by dark palm and floral motifs contrasted with rough forged bronze metals. The design emphasizes highlights of shadow and dimension, creating a sense of movement. Natural materials, such as an acacia wood bar front topped with a quartzite countertop and a marble mosaic backsplash, enhance the overall aesthetic.

For the logo design, the flying Rufa mark symbolizes the long distances traveled by the bird and is paired with a free-flowing script font reminiscent of soaring in the sky. Overall, the logo captures the warm and inviting essence of the venue.