August 8, 2018

Minggu Design Expands a Nanjing Warehouse Into an Elegant Three-Level Restaurant

A warehouse for tools won’t always translate into an elegant eatery. But in the hands of Jaco Pan of Minggu Design, just such a transformation took place for #24 Cathay restaurant in Nanjing, China. The triple-height single-story building was divided into three levels. A public dining area and semi-open kitchen are on the first level. The second floor consists of six private dining rooms, along with a librarylike teahouse. The top floor is mostly offices and workspace. Throughout, a cool palette was used to create a serene space. White-painted walls are complemented by white oak, steel, and pops of pink granite. At the entrance, the architect placed a composition of black-painted steel tubes that have perforations to allow for bursts of light. At night, the effect resembles fireflies cruising through a grove of bamboo.

Minggu Design transformed a warehouse into #24 Cathay restaurant in Nanjing, China. Photography by Kuo-min Lee. 
The window to the chef’s area is accented with painted steel panels. Photography by Kuo-min Lee.
Painted steel tubes at an entrance. Photography by Kuo-min Lee.
A pedestal near an entrance is granite. Photography by Kuo-min Lee.
Shelving is white oak. Photography by Kuo-min Lee.
The staircase is also white oak. Photography by Kuo-min Lee.
A sink in a restroom is black granite. Photography by Kuo-min Lee.
The triple-height single-story building was divided into three levels. Photography by Kuo-min Lee.

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