Paul Hibler recently shared his vision for the upcoming branch of Pitfire Pizza, which he and David Sanfield are opening in far western Culver City.

The duo hired architect Barbara Bestor (Intelligentsia Sunset Junction) to transform a former Shakey’s Pizza Parlor. Hibler said the goal with the design was to “provide a warm, stimulating space for people to gather and share our passion for artisanal pizzas and all the rest.” With that in mind, they’ll feature a lounge/communal area with a “big fire element in the center.” Pizza is still the focus, so the Culver City branch will host a Mugniani pizza oven. Hibler also described an “interesting indoor/outdoor area which flows into the [edible] garden,”

Why Culver City? Hibler says, “As the Pitfire has grown with our customers over the years we have found that we are meant to be a neighborhood/communal joint. We have been staying away from big centers and looking for “quirky” progressive neighborhoods like NoHo.”

Hibler and Sanfield recently eliminated several Pitfire Pizza dishes to become more seasonal and local. “We felt stuff like BBQ Chicken Salad and Posole Chicken Soup just didn’t fit the format or spirit of what we are trying to accomplish,” says Hibler. “Overall the new menu reception has been outstanding and we look forward to bringing out the summer menu. I would also add that we are working with Chef Marc Gold, who has been with us as the Chef of the Edison Bar. Marc is now the executive chef of the entire company. We are very excited about the work that we are producing and looking forward to the new store pushing the idea further along.”