architecture studio, ramoprimo, has created the bright and colorful keaami restaurant in beijing, china. the project aims to offer an authentic contemporary thai experience and the design is inspired by the cuisine of thai chef purida ‘pu’ theeraphong, which is characterized by a kaleidoscope of colors and flavors.

ramoprimo brings the colors of south-east asia to keaami restaurant in beijing
front view showing the full bamboo configuration

all images by ramoprimo and cristiano bianchi

 

 

the walls are designed by the architect using rotating columns, with each side covered by colored patterns. as these objects rotate, the space changes in appearance by using three configurations of felt fabric, traditional bamboo and rattan straw mats and alternately showing the evocative colors of blue, green and wood. activated by customers, the prisms can further rotate to create endless possible variations and create the effect of a large lenticular printing wall which changes as the viewer moves.

ramoprimo brings the colors of south-east asia to keaami restaurant in beijing
front view showing the mix of bamboo and blue felt

 

 

seating is composed of custom-designed chairs and benches made by placing original hand-made pillows from thailand on light grey steel structures. the cozy and informal beach atmosphere is further emphasized by the light blue and sandy colored terrazzo tiles on the floor. a touch of gold is used on a few decorative pieces as reference to one of the elements used in traditional thai decoration. the thai lotus flower is also used throughout the design and in the main restaurant logo of ‘keaami.’

ramoprimo brings the colors of south-east asia to keaami restaurant in beijing
front view showing the full blue felt configuration

ramoprimo brings the colors of south-east asia to keaami restaurant in beijing
front view showing the mix of bamboo, green and blue felt

ramoprimo brings the colors of south-east asia to keaami restaurant in beijing
front view showing the green felt configuration

ramoprimo brings the colors of south-east asia to keaami restaurant in beijing
walls are made of rotating triangular columns

ramoprimo brings the colors of south-east asia to keaami restaurant in beijing
columns are covered with felt fabric, traditional bamboo and rattan straw mats

ramoprimo brings the colors of south-east asia to keaami restaurant in beijing
a touch of golden lotus flowers dotting the walls in the private room

 

ramoprimo brings the colors of south-east asia to keaami restaurant in beijing
details of the rotating walls

ramoprimo brings the colors of south-east asia to keaami restaurant in beijing
the rotating walls can be activated by customers

ramoprimo brings the colors of south-east asia to keaami restaurant in beijing
original pillows from thailand create comfortable seating made of large chairs and benches

ramoprimo brings the colors of south-east asia to keaami restaurant in beijing
the blue felt wall

 

 

project info:

 

project name: ‘keaami thai’

program: restaurant

architects: ramoprimo 

location: beijing, china  

date: november 2018

area: 200 m² 

design team: marcella campa, stefano avesani, sara scotti, huo ran, lisa montanari, giacomo squaquara

on-site manager: sun yuan

general contractor: ma baoquan

engineering: li yongqi, zhang hongyuan, wei zhongzhou

furniture design: operagamma / ramoprimo

photo credits: ramoprimo and cristiano bianchi

model: miranda vukasovic

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: lynne myers | designboom