Nothing says comfort food like a brick oven-baked piping hot pizza on a chilly day, and even more so when said pizza is being served in a convivial environment like Pizza Express Shenzhen.

Located in MIXC Mall in Shenzhen, the 400-square-metre establishment was designed by Hong Kong-based 4N Design Architects, who have conceived an interior that is both playfully rustic and full of artistic expression.

Glass panels divide the restaurant into three different zones to accommodate different needs and to “create elements of surprise.”

While The Theatre projects a continuous stream of images on the white brick wall, The Bar channels a polished industrial vibe with wrought iron wine glass racks and a white marble counter overhang. The Pizza Kitchen is in essence an open kitchen, thereby allowing the aromatic smells of sautéed garlic, cheese and spices to waft through the interior.

Floor-to-ceiling windows line one side of the restaurant, allowing natural light to flood in during the day. Dipped in a vibrant orange, the air-ducts on the ceiling connect the three areas while imbuing the space with a sense of energy and warmth. While the elongated layout might have caused a bit of a headache when it came to maximising space, 4N Design Architects turned this disadvantage on its head, creating a row of intimate banquette seating which gives the illusion that the restaurant is deeper than it is. Elsewhere, round tables allow for larger gatherings.

Grungy art appears to be a restaurant trend of late, and with this project, 4N Design Architects have enlisted the expertise of an American graffiti artist to ink the walls with a series of quirky artwork. Taking the artistic vibe up a notch, the designers also engraved images of chessboards onto the marble tops. Games of chess are commonly played out in public parks throughout the country and this design detail provides an unexpected yet clever way of bringing a piece of local culture into an otherwise western dining setting.

The laid-back atmosphere continues in the alfresco area, which features custom-made furnishing and an open bar.

4N Design Architects
4narchitects.com