Art meets pizza in this new pizzeria designed by 4N Design Architects, Christie Lee writes.
February 3rd, 2015
Nothing says comfort food like a brick oven-baked piping hot pizza on a chilly day, and even more so when said pizza is being served in a convivial environment like Pizza Express Shenzhen.
Located in MIXC Mall in Shenzhen, the 400-square-metre establishment was designed by Hong Kong-based 4N Design Architects, who have conceived an interior that is both playfully rustic and full of artistic expression.
Glass panels divide the restaurant into three different zones to accommodate different needs and to “create elements of surprise.”
While The Theatre projects a continuous stream of images on the white brick wall, The Bar channels a polished industrial vibe with wrought iron wine glass racks and a white marble counter overhang. The Pizza Kitchen is in essence an open kitchen, thereby allowing the aromatic smells of sautéed garlic, cheese and spices to waft through the interior.
Floor-to-ceiling windows line one side of the restaurant, allowing natural light to flood in during the day. Dipped in a vibrant orange, the air-ducts on the ceiling connect the three areas while imbuing the space with a sense of energy and warmth. While the elongated layout might have caused a bit of a headache when it came to maximising space, 4N Design Architects turned this disadvantage on its head, creating a row of intimate banquette seating which gives the illusion that the restaurant is deeper than it is. Elsewhere, round tables allow for larger gatherings.
Grungy art appears to be a restaurant trend of late, and with this project, 4N Design Architects have enlisted the expertise of an American graffiti artist to ink the walls with a series of quirky artwork. Taking the artistic vibe up a notch, the designers also engraved images of chessboards onto the marble tops. Games of chess are commonly played out in public parks throughout the country and this design detail provides an unexpected yet clever way of bringing a piece of local culture into an otherwise western dining setting.
The laid-back atmosphere continues in the alfresco area, which features custom-made furnishing and an open bar.
4N Design Architects
4narchitects.com
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
Sub-Zero and Wolf’s prestigious Kitchen Design Contest (KDC) has celebrated the very best in kitchen innovation and aesthetics for three decades now. Recognising premier kitchen design professionals from around the globe, the KDC facilitates innovation, style and functionality that pushes boundaries.
Create a configuration to suit your needs with this curved collection.
In the pursuit of an uplifting synergy between the inner world and the surrounding environment, internationally acclaimed Interior Architect and Designer Lorena Gaxiola transform the vibration of the auspicious number ‘8’ into mesmerising artistry alongside the Feltex design team, brought to you by GH Commercial.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
July has arrived in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane and this exemplary luggage brand has a new home that ticks all the boxes.
Lacquered in warm timber tones and complemented by high-quality furniture and fixtures, the new HQ for Salta Properties is a home away from home.