Xuji Seafood Restaurant Mixc World
IN.X Design were tasked with designing a space for Xuji Seafood Restaurant Mixc World with strong materials and rich architectural curves.
The ocean does not repel any current, so it can achieve its vastness; The mountain does not reject any soil and stone, so it can achieve its steepness.
–Guan Zi
With 22 years’ prosperous history, Xuji Seafood has been characterized by live seafood to broke through the weak era of Chinese catering field two decades before. It has expanded into over 50 restaurants all over China by now, and the brand image has been continuously upgraded in its rapid development. In November 2021, Xuji Seafood Xi’an Mixc World restaurant opened – which was designed by designer Wu Wei of IN.X. The creative space design of the new restaurant will contribute to the prosperity of Xuji Seafood background.
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Tracing back to the source, writing the charm with the soul
The north of China is vast and awe-inspiring, where the rough brick and stone cities are nurturing the mass population. Stream is rare in northern cities, so the cities are developed on plains endlessly until they connect with the vast sea. The huge waves are like flags raising from the ground in embankments, and the reefs and the waves together form the totem. People explore the ocean to find its endlessness from knowing nothing. This is the meeting of civilizations between two worlds, which can be as large as the surging of mountains and rivers, and as small as the cooking smoke in kitchen.
Therefore, the designer drew a deep and flexible “big background” in the 960 square meters space – where the magnificent coast stretches, the deep blue water flows deep, and the northern city stands tall and upright. On the grand background, the crowd is agile; the chatter and laughter are intertwined with the foaming sound of the sea water; the lights are gently scattered; and the meals start as scheduled.
The sea, the city, and the cooking smoke blend into the soul of Xuji Seafood, which is conveyed as its charm, crowning the space.
Deduction
The flexible “mega dining atmosphere”
In the spatial landscape of Xuji Seafood Restaurant, the intersection of the ocean and the continent is subtly presented. The roof is vertically divided into four layers, overlapping with each other, and covering the entire ceiling with large streamlines. The intersections are embedded with light strips to outline the “rolling streams” which disappear at the end of sight – the stretching coast is suspended overhead, where the white wave solidifies into a flexible and winding lighting system; thus, the huge ocean background transforms into a space sculpture, covering everything under it.
In contrast, the city portrait is majestic and rough. the “walls” and “giant pillars” support the ocean roof, and the rough-textured ultra-thin stone facade removes all decorations to return to its new life. The wave shaped wall-washer light echoes the lighting layout on the floor, reconstructing a superimposed painting of mountains, seas and city.
As the coast and the city are set, the bold and resolute design approach has changed into a delicate and moderate method, so that seawater and dining atmosphere are injected carefully and slowly. The tranquil and pure blue is the vibrant soul of the space, which is serene and charming. The special-shaped wine cellar is “soaked” in blue, acting as the beginning of the movement flow into the restaurant and stimulating the cheerful mood directly.
Design: IN.X Design
Photography: Zheng Yan
