a matrix of cross arches stimulates curiosity within MARS studio's restaurant in china

amid the bustling retail neighborhood of taikoo li sanlitun, china, ‘SOMESOME bar and restaurant‘ by MARS studio takes shape as an urban retreat. in an attempt to generate a modern yet classic dining experience, the concept became a fusion of collectiveness and intimacy within the spectrum from open, to semi-enclosed, and completely private spaces. inside, the dining areas are subdivided, compartmentalized, and segmented into ‘cocoons’, each centered on just one or a small group of tables.all images courtesy of UK studio

the entrance

MARS studio sought to design a restaurant functioning as a place for both sharing and immersing. the entry takes shape as a thick shell with deeply carved portals allowing for peeping eyes. upon facing the outlook with large folding windows that can be opened completely, the space morphs into thin and open frames to formulate a matrix of cross arches allowing the view out and air to flow in. the transition sought to add the dimension of time into cognitive experience encouraging the visitors to read the space as layers of memory.the entrance

warped surfaces act as the key mediator of identical urban strategies throughout the interior. if a straight line and a flat surface following the orthogonal coordinate system reflect the ideology of rationality, then a warped surface embraces sinuant yet diverse meanings – stretching or folding, welcoming or rejecting, navigating or incarcerating. warped surface

the repetition of arches in the main dining hall generates rhythmic tempo, moving through the deep thresholds, unfolding the curiosity at the same time: from the carved entry hallway, through another threshold, to the banquette seating area, through yet another portal, to the private dining room, and finally, to the lavatory. as the guest moves through, the space is constantly compressed and released, hidden and revealed, and their curiosity reaches the epic as they find themselves finally at their destination. meanwhile, two facing mirrors in the room fool the eyes furthermore with the illusion of an infinite journey dominated by spatial progression.
moving through the deep thresholds

central bar view

cocoons space

the repetition of arches in the main dining hall generates rhythmic tempo

dinner area

each of these cross arches rises from the ground until the top surfaces crisscross and fall on the other side, creating a semi-private dining environment

bar detail

illusion of an infinite journey

the different angles under each arch form a new composition

project info:

name: SOMESOME bar & restaurant

designer: MARS studio

principal architect: ma ning

project manager: xue zhao

design team: jiechong yu, dongyuan guo, yachen liu, zhu ke, qin zheng

design time: 2020.11 – 2021.05

location: sanlitun, beijing, china

building area: 306 sqm

photography: UK studio

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edited by: christina petridou | designboom