The restaurant is based in Xian, the old capital city of China, where the Chinese culture is present at every corner. The restaurant is located on the rooftop of a hotel building and comprises three storeys. Characteristic of many Xian buildings, our building seems composed of a typical Chinese house elevated from the ground to the 14 floors. Therefore, the rooftop has a characteristic Chinese roof. In Xian architecture, many ancient houses used square elements as ornaments on facades, in the wood beam juxtaposition in the structure, or traditional patterns. The studio revisited this language of squares to blend in with the cultural environment. It reinterprets the past into a modern design. The Chinese house has three layers: a stone base, the core and a roof. Our three-storey restaurant represents those three layers. The functions, such as coffee, dining area and bar, are separated vertically. The first storey is the starting point of the customer journey. An indoor waiting lounge with a coffee bar and an outdoor terrace allows customers to sit comfortably and enjoy their first appetizers. Extending the imagination of the stone base from Xian city walls, the designer reused different materials and installation methods to present the visual effect of squares. The second storey is the restaurant's core, where we can find the kitchen and most dining activities. The centre of a house, dominated by windows, doors and wall partitions, is represented by square tiles on the walls and ceiling. The main dining area lacks direct light, so the designer used those squares to light the walls and ceiling. On the third storey, the designer brings wood beams below the Chinese roof, placed in a random order, forming with imagination a tree where our glass squares put on the beams are like leaves on a branch. Like moving around the bar, the wood beams get closer to the central bar and compose the bar shelves. As a result, we can see our wine bottles and glasses hanging in the air… This project stands out with its innovative approach, transforming traditional local architecture into a contemporary interior design. Each floor is a unique experience, showcasing square elements in different materials, creating a distinct design on every level. The designer focused on the details, from the square door handle to the table lamp. Many details show small intentions to customers.The customer journey inside the restaurant wanted to be unique and special. The design team separated each step of a standard dining process per floor: appetizer, main course, and dessert. Once the client is inside the restaurant, he is invited to walk around and connect socially. Regarding environmental sustainability, the materials used for this project are wanted to be all recyclable. Local materials were used and recycled from local sites, so the grey bricks, orange bricks, and terra cotta brought the local colours to the project.
Typology
Restaurant&Bar
Area
552m2
Scope
Interior design
Lighting design
Furniture design
Photographer
Wen Studio
LE COQ, XIAN, RESTAURANT, SELECTED AWARDS
Le Coq wine & Bistro, Xi’an, FRAME Awards, Restaurant Of The Year, Shortlisted
Le Coq wine & Bistro, Xi’an, INDE.Awards, Social Space category, Shortlisted
Le Coq wine & Bistro, Xi’an, Eduwik Architecture Excellence Awards, Interiors-Hospitality (Built), Third Award
Inde awards shortlisted for the social space category
Frame awards shorlisted in restaurant of the year
Frame awards shorlisted in restaurant of the year
Eduwik awards
LE COQ, XIAN, RESTAURANT,SELECTED PRESS &MEDIA
interior
DECO
archello
gooood
retail design blog
interior
gooood
INTERIOR
design pictorial
hi design
ASIA PACIFIC DESIGNERS FEDERATION
FRAME