Philadelphia based DAS principals David Schultz, AIA and Susan Davidson, IDC worked with chef-owner Michael DiBianca to bring to life his vision for "food without boundaries."

After naming his restaurant Moro, Italian for blood orange, DiBianca and DAS looked to the sought after fruit for design inspiration. When sliced, the colors, shapes and textures inside the blood orange became the palette for DAS to create a warm and inviting atmosphere throughout the 100-seat restaurant.

The two-story building was conducive to small, separate, intimate dining areas each with their own identity. DAS took advantage of the layout and used glass panels and rounded partitions to create several different dining environs, unusual for a restaurant. Three different lights, reflecting amorphous moro shapes, are used in the various seating areas. Lights are suspended over each table, booth or banquette to create an intimate lighting level. Some are made from hand blown glass in soft organic forms while others are "oversized" with striking style. Textured and patterned fabrics add an artistic flair to the dining areas. For the wood accents, DAS chose dark stained cherry to match the natural tones found in bark on moro trees. Softly illuminated wine cabinets serve a backdrop for the second floor dining room and entry to the bar and lounge.