SuperChina, Paris’s first home-made Chinese self-service restaurant, is revolutionizing the dining landscape with its innovative design by Rudy Guénaire. This establishment takes customers on a nostalgic journey, blending childhood memories with contemporary aesthetics. Conceived as a small vessel, SuperChina’s design invites customers to experience a blend of past and present through its unique, immersive environment.
Guénaire uses three heated display windows designed to resemble ship portholes, effectively bringing memories of the past into the present dining experience. This element not only enhances the thematic integrity of the restaurant but also adds a distinctive aesthetic appeal. The wooden frames around these windows draw inspiration from Marc Riboud‘s 1923 photograph of Beijing, Da Sha La Street, viewed through an antique shop window.
Rudy Guénaire aimed to juxtapose the sleek, shiny, techno-savvy modern China of cities like Chengdu with the traditional, time-honored Chinese aesthetics. This dual approach is visually captured in the restaurant’s design, which uses clean, modern lines alongside rich, wooden textures that evoke a sense of historical China. This blend not only offers a feast for the eyes but also mirrors the diverse and evolving nature of Chinese culture.
SuperChina is not just a restaurant; it’s a cultural statement that celebrates the fusion of traditional and contemporary elements. It stands out in Paris’s culinary scene not only for its unique self-service format but also for its commitment to delivering an authentic yet innovative Chinese dining experience. This project is a testament to the power of thoughtful design in transforming how food is enjoyed, making SuperChina a pioneering model for future gastronomic ventures.
