Text description provided by the architects
Weizai Restaurant, located in the newfinancial district of Changsha Xiangjiang, is far away from the hustle andbustle of the downtown area. It is surrounded by modern glass buildings and busytraffic. After a busy day of work, modern city residents yearn for a placewhere they can find peace of mind and comfort to organize their day. This is a Japanese kaisekiryouricharcoal barbecue restaurant. We hope to infuse this venue with the subtle andsecretive cultural traits of the East - "finding a peace in the hustle andbustle of the city" - and to release the inner pressure by using thequietness of the space to separate the hustle and bustle of the surroundings. Bamboo, Pine, and Stone At the entrance, the design reshapesthe limited small slope in the front of the restaurant and creates an outdoor landscapewith black pine, bamboo, and black mountain stones to form a small transitionalcourtyard. Through the mutual display and concealment, brightness and darkness,light and shadow, movement and stillness, the straightforwardness and subtletyof the scene are related and contrasted, thus realizing the transition from thehustle and bustle to the peaceful, seclusion, and quietness of the restaurant'speriphery. Affinity, Scale The floor and scenic walls are treatedwith washed stone, a nostalgic texture that brings relaxation and comfort whenpeople come to or pass through the courtyard. The sloping downward eaves form atransitional space with a flat entrance, and the lowered scale increases theaffinity of the field. People can stop by and have a short conversation here. Under the eaves, which can be touched easily, a black pine tree stands near thestone, with moss and gravel underneath. Though small and beautiful, thecourtyard has a distinctive natural change of seasons, which contrasts with thecity life in the nearby bustling traffic. Fire, Instrumental Entering the lobby, the art glasswith paper texture used in the foyer reflects the fireplace installation on theground, showing the alternation of light and heat. The wood texture of thecountertop and bar enhances the temperature and comfort of close contact. The curvatureof the floor and ceiling and the material of the bonsai containers revealshadow and coolness, self-control, and modesty. These two elements fuse the twosides of the same body, yin, and yang, which are characteristic of orientalbeauty. ——Just like the culinary art of kaisekiryouri charcoal grilling, theingredients shine through the fire and the gentleness incorporated in the darkceramic vessels. Modesty, Implicit The passage space leading to theprivate room is narrow and cramped. The design expresses a subtle and modestgesture of welcoming guests through the curves of two dimensions while solvingthe monotony of the passing experience. The curves that stretch with the spaceand the shapes that join together are like hand-made ingredients put togetherwith both hands, highlighting the artisan spirit of concentration, repetition,and persistence, and the realm of divine thought of food reverence. At the endof the corridor is the art glass partition of the private room. The goldendaylight flows through the glass into the dark interior. The hazy and quietoverflow of light seems to have some kind of divine presence, evoking people'sfeelings and contemplation in the present moment. White, Clean hands Based on the unique orientalunderstanding of objects, the design integrates the washbasin and the base intoa white art installation. The warm and lustrous jade-like surface of thecountertop and the hand-carved side texture form a contrast between refinementand ruggedness. Based on different light-facing surfaces, it presents a translucentskin and a deep projection, presenting a meditative beauty. The ceilingreflects the light and shadow of the flashing water waves, accompanied by thesound of water as if listening to Zen, creating a light and dense atmosphere ofthe place. Washing hands before meals as a necessary ritual before dining addsa sense of anticipation and intention to the dining experience process. Hidden beauty, exhalation Passing through the corridor to theprivate room, the curved niche on the wall and the floor-to-ceiling bonsai formtwo curved sections, one standing and one flat. The silhouette is outlined bythe light, brightening the deep and simple presence like lacquerware, sereneand elegant. While the daylight keeps changing the angle of projection, thegravel and the bonsai absorb the light into them and fall on the wall to revealthe beauty of the change of intensity, which makes people ponder. ——When wecreate the relationship between things and nature out of nothing by the hand ofnature, this beauty comes to life. Ceremony Serenity Inside the private room, the mysteryand height of the double curved dome creates a sense of dining ritual. Thecurved surface continues to the restrained floor-to-ceiling windows, moderatelyreceding into the relationship between the interior and the outside objects, inorder to be more suitable for people to serenely accept their own mind andfocus on the experience of food. Like the restaurantproduction of rigorous and persistent, humble and pragmatic service attitude,the space presents the pursuit of craftsmanship of artisanship, focus, andquiet, in the scene with the material and art form of Oriental subtlety. Withthose stone, iron plate cooking contains colorless fragrance, together polishingthe original simplicity and beauty of the space temperature, the psychologicalrealm of refreshment. Project Name: Weizai Scope of design: interior space,facade, front flat landscape Location: 1st floor, conference center, building 13,Binjiang fund Town, Changsha, Hunan, China Area: 490㎡ Design Company: SMY Space Interior Design Studio Design Cycle: March 2021 Completion time: October, 2021 Main Materials: Imitation concretebrick、 wood grain metal plate、imitation stainless steel metal plate、 log blackmountain stone、 art coating、dark matte stainless steel