Tata Bowls Restaurant

Agency: Gu Xihan
Client: Tata Bowls Restaurant

Through its irregular architectural structure and open, engaging spatial layout, the project breaks the boundaries of traditional dining spaces, creating a unique venue that efficiently caters to the lunch rush and offers a leisurely dining experience during off-peak hours. A highlight of its design is transforming the restaurant into a "flowing theater," where the glass curtain walls connect the indoors and outdoors, showcasing the daily life of the neighborhood and Tata Bowls in real-time. Pedestrians outside look through the glass, past dramatically styled pendant lights and layered tables and chairs, focusing on the operation counter made of red travertine, which seems like the space's "main stage." Diners entering the restaurant, like theatergoers, queue up for their meals and take their seats, observing the everyday drama outside through the floor-to-ceiling windows. While enjoying their meals, customers also become part of the city's story. In this case, we anticipate the sensory experiences of guests from a design perspective, aiming not only for functional efficiency but also to evoke pleasant feelings, hoping it becomes an element of the city's beautiful life.

The innovation of the project is evident not only in its unique spatial concept but also in its meticulous attention to detail. Upon entering, the sight of wooden blocks rising from the golden ma stone floor—the only "hard partition" in the entire space—aims to present an open, bright dining area. This "architectural block" within the space divides the flow into "in" and "out," creating a singular circular flow that imbues the space with an endless sense of movement, allowing people to feel the change and vitality of the surrounding environment at every dining moment. Innovatively, the entrance door breaks the convention by using a folding sign as the facade. During business hours, it folds up to easily showcase the Tata Bowls logo as guests enter or exit, creating a memorable brand interaction; when not in operation, the door serves as a full-sized logo sign. Moreover, all wooden cabinets in the space are designed with clever mortise and tenon structures for shelf connections, showcasing the fusion of traditional craftsmanship and modern design, adding "readable details." This innovative approach to space and detail not only makes Tata Bowls a functionally efficient dining area but also a venue that stimulates the sensory experiences and emotional resonance of customers. Sustainability at the project reflects a deep commitment to sustainable development in material usage. Unlike traditional restaurants that opt for refined wood finishes, Tata Bowls has chosen native birch wood panels treated with wood wax oil, combined with mortise and tenon joints for all cabinet structures within the space. This approach not only reduces the environmental impact of processed materials but also maintains the natural beauty and purity of the materials. Moreover, the restaurant insists on using native, natural materials for other construction and decorative materials, such as red travertine and granite, avoiding any synthetic materials. This demonstrates our consideration for environmental protection and commitment to sustainable principles.