Hospitality veterans Mike Capoferri and Rahul Marwah and design studio Wunder Werkz have launched Semiprecious—a cocktail bar inspired by the aperitivo culture of Western Europe.
Wunder Werkz had previously worked with Capoferri and his team on projects like Los Angeles bars Night on Earth and Thunderbolt. With Semiprecious, the collaborators join forces as co-owners, signifying the growing impact that design and branding has on business success.
“We firmly believe that design can be a differentiator, determining a project’s success or failure,” says Jon Hartman, partner at Wunder Werkz. “And since we have a wealth of experience working in the hospitality space, it only makes sense to take a financial stake in the brands we build. Now, as partners in Semiprecious, we’re using design as a strategy to solve issues, sharing in the success of our decisions as well as the risks.”
A playful identity for Semiprecious cocktail bar
The resulting identity playfully embodies the Semiprecious name, with visuals and text that evoke the midcentury stylings of the Stork Club and other mainstays of 1950s New York drinking culture.
The space, originally a 1952 furniture showroom, retaining many of its interesting architectural motifs—large canted windows, stacked stone facade, and natural light—to showcase an unpretentious approach to materiality.
Design inspiration from Le Corbusier
The studio took cues from Cabanon de vacances, Le Corbusier’s vacation home, by employing simple, honest materials elevated by a high level of artistry and craftsmanship. Semiprecious also showcases the late Swiss-French designer’s strong stance on color through the pairing of oxblood (jasper) with cobalt (lapis lazuli).
“While the space feels incredibly design forward and thoughtful, it is really all humble materials,” says Hartman. “We used a pegboard bar face, white oak, tile, paint, and industrial fixtures—all readily accessible but elevated through their thoughtful application.”
For Wunder Werkz, the partnership for Semiprecious isn’t part of a plan for additional bar ownership. “We’re just interested in deep collaboration—getting involved at the ground floor with people building something unique,” explains Hartman. “That could just as easily be a product, a development, or a new brand category altogether.”
He continues: “Ultimately, we want to reframe how design is valued. For us, design isn’t a veneer; it’s a core part of the business strategy. Good design can shape outcomes, drive culture, and create lasting economic value. With Semiprecious, we’re not only building a great looking bar, but an example of how design is part of the brand experience that people come back for.”
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