Restaurant 13

Model picture.

Project details

• Project Name: Restaurant 13
• Client: Government of Jindong New District, Jinhua City
• Principal Designer/s: Johan De Wachter
• Design Team: Pei Liu, Paz Martin, Cesar Garcia
• Date of commencement of project: 2004
• Date of completion of project: 2007
• Location of site: Jinhua City, China
• Site Area: 1500 m2
• Built-up Area: 600 m2

The Jinhua Architecture Park is a part of a large development area in Jinhua City, China. The park, designed by the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei (Fake Design), stretches along theYiwu river. 17 public buildings of 10 international and 7 Chinese architects are planned in the park.

These '17 Urban Public Mini-structures' are presented by the Jindong District as a fresh try of international design practicing based on the discussion among local government, experts and 17 selected architects from all over the world.

Tablescape and roofscape.

The restaurant's rigid but elegant structure of steel, stone and bamboo represents an interpretation of the Chinese dining culture. The traditional restaurant typology of "watching and being watched" is emphasized in the project. Three 'speeds' of eating are integrated in one building. This assortment is provided by 'vending machines' (street food), a '3D tablescape' (medium food), and a 'lounge restaurant' (slow food).

Roofscape, lounge and tablescape.

Restaurant 13 is integrated in the Park through its steel-bamboo structure providing shadow and shelter. The open ground floor plan merges the restaurant with the park without a specific border. The detailing of the roofscape refers to the way traditional Chinese architecture deals with the nature elements. An informal stacking of 'tables' organizes the ground floor. This covered terrace also serves as an unprogrammed 'event-space'.

Restaurant in the process of being built.

Restaurant 13 in the Jinhua Architecture Park.

Restaurant 13 - Axonometric view of the 3 levels [opens in a popup window - 94Kb image]

Restaurant 13 - Roofscape detail [opens in a popup window - 72Kb image]

Credits

• Text by JDWA
• Photographs by Iwan Baan, JDWA, Philip Fung