Suzuki Kitchen is a local brand born in the historic core of Beijing, and had become a cultural icon of Hutong renaissance. The venues of Suzuki Kitchen includes Japanese-fusion restaurant, cafe, boutique store, and gallery, where exhibitions and workshops are frequently held by young Chinese and Japanese designers, artists and craftsmen.
Nearby renown 798 Art District, the new Suzuki Kitchen is located in a podium of residential community. The street has suffered by commercial decline due to the lack of attractive tenants and outdated building style. The primary goal of design is to create a market-like destination, which become a gathering place and bring energy for the neighborhood.
The façade is covered by metallic painted linen, indicating the industrial past of the area. With highly crafted texture, the new storefront achieves an outstanding interface, with subtle sensation varied from near to far, from daytime to night.
Through a transparent foyer, the open dinning area is surrounded by corners with distinctive characters. Hang on the polished concrete ceiling is the custom-made lighting feature framed by copper tubes. The room is also highlighted by a wall painting themed as now landing, with layers of debris from previous construction.
Visitors could see playground outside while ascending by stairs filled by natural light. The second floor is an attic like event space. The embracing wood panels and steel truss create a festival atmosphere. Two additional functions, kitchen showroom and food market, are defined by sliding window as room within room.
The third floor is consisted of coffee bar, shop and gallery. Distinguished with two levels below, the mix-used space is like craftsman's studio. Windows on both sides provide natural light for both sitting and exhibition. The counter made of whole sheet of aluminum becomes the focus and display of the art of coffee making.
View Original