CORNERSTONE Restaurant

The restaurant is located on the south-west corner of a office tower in Beijing CBD district. Design started in 2010 and construction was completed in early 2011. It covers a surface of 360 sqm. The space is characterized by the use of two strong walls, which visually define the space organizing the functional program: kitchen, dining areas, bar counter, pizza area, wine cellar and lounge corner. The mix of different natural and artificial materials (such wood, bricks, brushed steel plates, black iron profiles, reflecting glass and mirrors) offers a combination of rough and smooth surfaces introducing a sense of spatial tension in the generally cozy and warm atmosphere. The flooring of the lounge and the bar areas is light natural wood, randomly embellished with small irregular black spots, while the two main dining areas are elevated platforms covered by large dark wooden planks characterized by a strongly scratched surface which extends vertically on the pillars cladding. The two central walls are built as a collage of different patterns of coloured bricks (yellow, red and grey), in which the insertion of steel plates adds a detail of refinement.