unknown works 3D scans british fish & chip shops to create scotts restaurant in china

in the heart of chengdu, unknown works has formed a restaurant and concept store in direct reference to the quintessential british chippy. inspired by a visit to the original scotts fish and chip shop in york in 2015, the london and hong kong based creative studio has brought the tradition to china’s fourth biggest city by 3D scanning shops across the UK and digitally replicating them to form the active, unfolding façade of this concept restaurant.

all images courtesy of unknown works

measuring just 355 ft2 (33 m2) in area, the new restaurant occupies a prominent corner junction within the swire properties owned estate. due to the small size, unknown works decided to make the façade a key element of the project – forming both an active space for patrons to inhabit as well as being the conceptual framework for the entire restaurant.

the new and active façade is constructed from alabaster white glass reinforced plastic (GRP). every door that makes up the elevation unfolds to form both the characterful face to the newly transplanted chippy as well as acting as the integrated furniture for this compact but prominent intervention. tables unfold from the centre of each panel giving each diner a framed view of their neighbours.

the concept was formalised through 3D scans of existing textures, patinas, interiors and exteriors of a variety of fish and chip restaurants around the UK, including the original scotts. meticulous details and idiosyncrasies such as ornate façades, joinery details, salt shakers, fishy trinkets and even down to wallpaper textures have been digitally captured and replicated. the digital point cloud data collected through lidar scanning and photogrammetry were processed to form a library of architectural elements that form the façades for scotts TKL.

the layout of the internal kitchen follows a weaving, customer-facing counter, creating a linear experience of the preparation, cooking and packing process. the interior has been pared back to a graphic white tiled grid that covers the floors, walls, counter and continues to form hidden doors that conceal a myriad of storage spaces.

scotts TKL is the first embodiment in a series of international outposts of the traditional chippy reimagined for china. taking the notion of ‘shanzai’, a term describing the act of copying and imitation that is so often indiscriminately directed at chinese commerce, this project aims to frame the discussion around the guises of what cultural exchange, dialogue and trade can take in modern sino-british relationships.

project info:

project name: scotts

program: restaurant / concept store

location: tai koo li, chengdu, china

architect: unknown works

design team: kaowen ho, ben hayes, theo games petrohilos

client: jimmy yu / swire properties

contractor: IH partners

CNC manufacturer: MAX production co ltd

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