Minggu Design Expands a Nanjing Warehouse Into an Elegant Three-Level Restaurant

A warehouse for tools won’t always translate into an elegant eatery. But in the hands of Jaco Pan of Minggu Design, just such a transformation took place for #24 Cathay restaurant in Nanjing, China. The triple-height single-story building was divided into three levels. A public dining area and semi-open kitchen are on the first level. The second floor consists of six private dining rooms, along with a librarylike teahouse. The top floor is mostly offices and workspace. Throughout, a cool palette was used to create a serene space. White-painted walls are complemented by white oak, steel, and pops of pink granite. At the entrance, the architect placed a composition of black-painted steel tubes that have perforations to allow for bursts of light. At night, the effect resembles fireflies cruising through a grove of bamboo.