golucci creates beijing-themed restaurant interior in vancouver
the design is filled with spatial elements referring to the forbidden city palace complex in central beijing.
[FEATURED]
golucci interior architects has completed the refurbishment for quanjude, a chinese restaurant in vancouver, canada. the design aims to remind visitors of the restaurant’s extensive history, while also transforming it into a carrier, of chinese tradition, culture, art and cuisine.
dining area
all images courtesy of golucci interior architects
according to chinese tradition, the character ‘fu’ stands for good luck and happiness. during the time of spring festival, almost every family in china would hang the word upside down, believing that doing so would cause good fortune to literally descend down on their house. taking inspiration from this traditional practice, golucci has installed a sculptural ceiling full of upside-down beijing buildings within the dining hall of the quanjude restaurant.
front facade
the concept of the ceiling installation comes from looking at the beijing forbidden city complex from the mountain jing shan. from this point, the palace museum and temple of heaven and many more contemporary buildings are visible. ‘I most hope that people who come to quanjude vancouver store will say a few words: beijing is here!’ shares lead designer lee hsuheng.
dining area
the dining area also features a blue bookshelf and a porcelain podium, which reference the chinese blue on the plaque of wen su pavilion in the forbidden city. the display of bookshelves also reminds of the book collection pavilion that was included in the forbidden city complex, as well as the chinese-style ancient shelves. the engraved version of the quanjude plaque hangs at the end, and under the plaque is a glass fireplace.
the ceiling of the bar area is a modern version of the chinese-style bucket arch made out of aluminum plate. the bucket arch is both a load-bearing and an art component. the complex use of tenon and mortise is used to combine the weight of the roof through beams and columns. in the event of a strong earthquake, the bucket arch structure will ‘loosen’ but won’t fall apart, consuming energy from the earthquake. the top of the bar is surrounded by ancient arches, which serve as a structure element and a beautiful expression of chinese art.
designer lee hsuheng even included a reference of the forbidden city’s great red wall which is familiar to all beijingers
the welcome counter at the entrance of quanjude vancouver
dining area
china bucket arch bar chinese installation art
project info:
name: quanjude beijing duck house
architecture office: golucci interior architects
lead designer: lee hsuheng
location: vancouver, canada
designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.
shop
your own online design shop — no sales commission collected
