A timber canopy wraps around the ceiling and walls of Hunan Slurp, evocative of the slippery strands of noodles served in the New York City venue.
Hunan Province in Southern China is famed for its cuisine, which is deeply rooted in Hunan people’s customs and identity. Drawing on this heritage, Hunan Slurp in New York is named for the everyday meal of Hunan people and the satisfying sound made when eating the traditional warm rice noodle soup.
Hunan Slurp is the restaurant of chef and artist Chao Wang who was born in Hengyang in Hunan Province. Wanting to cure his homesickness through cooking, he conceived of the restaurant and engaged New Practice Studio to design the venue. “The idea was to create a bright and natural feel in the space for the younger patrons in the East Village,” says Nianlai Zhong, founding partner and principal at New Practice Studio. The firm designed a rhythmic timber canopy that wraps around the ceiling and walls and is evocative of the slippery strands of noodles.
“The space is conceived as a place to look into and look out from,” says Nianlai. “A continuous volume is carved out from the storefront into the interior so a direct dialogue is established between the street and the restaurant.”
The timber canopy accentuates the long and narrow space to create a tunnel that arcs over the communal dining tables. Fabricated with laminated wood panels and covered with oak veneers, the canopy has rounded corners that reinforce the geometry of the venue. The existing brick wall is visible behind the ribbed timber, and backlighting highlights its texture and adds another dimension to the space.
“The idea for the curved wood screen is on the one hand to create a spatial element that can resemble the food served in the space, and on the other hand to engage with the existing brick walls to create a subtle layering in the space,” says Nianlai.
Hand-blown bulbs are suspended over the brass stools and oak-veneer dining tables, which are set with ceramic plates and wooden chopsticks. Cosier dining is in the rear of the restaurant with marble-top tables and a long banquette. Sleek round mirrors reflect the golden glow of the lights, and diners can see into the kitchen through the glass walls.
Sitting within the ribbed belly of the restaurant, diners are immersed within the noodle-inspired canopy and the satisfying slurp that expresses appreciation to the chef.
–
Want more hospitality design inspiration? Take a look in the archives. And for regular updates, join our mailing list.
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
Sub-Zero and Wolf’s prestigious Kitchen Design Contest (KDC) has celebrated the very best in kitchen innovation and aesthetics for three decades now. Recognising premier kitchen design professionals from around the globe, the KDC facilitates innovation, style and functionality that pushes boundaries.
Marylou Cafaro’s first trendjournal sparked a powerful, decades-long movement in joinery designs and finishes which eventually saw Australian design develop its independence and characteristic style. Now, polytec offers all-new insights into the future of Australian design.
Savage Design’s approach to understanding the relationship between design concepts and user experience, particularly with metalwork, transcends traditional boundaries, blending timeless craftsmanship with digital innovation to create enduring elegance in objects, furnishings, and door furniture.
Channelling the enchanting ambience of the Caffè Greco in Rome, Budapest’s historic Gerbeaud, and Grossi Florentino in Melbourne, Ross Didier’s new collection evokes the designer’s affinity for café experience, while delivering refined seating for contemporary hospitality interiors.
A hospitality venue in the heart of Osaka comprising four dining options – a place where nostalgic pastimes meet high-end dining.
Third in the series of boutique hotels under the Lloyd’s Inn brand, Lloyd’s Inn Kuala Lumpur bring the immediacy of nature to the new high-rise hospitality experience in the heart of a bustling city.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Symbolising a commitment to cultural preservation and timeless design, Powerhouse Castle Hill invites visitors into the stories behind the artefacts in a diverse range of educational and cultural activities.
Found within the verdant landscape of Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, Sona Reddy’s design for this authentic Andhra restaurant adeptly fuses textural rhythms with traditional materials.