Boutique Design - Winter 2020 - 38

G O L D K E Y R E S TAU R A N T C A S UA L D I N I N G

FINALIST
CHICA
MIAMI

SOURCES:
DESIGN FIRM: ROCKWELL
G R O U P, N E W Y O R K ;
ARCHITECTURE FIRM: ELM
ARCH, MIAMI; CLIENT AND
PURCHASING: 50 EGGS, MIAMI;
P H O T O : M I C H A E L S TAVA R I D I S

FINALIST
PIOPIKO

K YOTO, JA PA N

SOURCES:
DESIGN FIRM: COMMUNE DESIGN, LOS ANGELES;
A R C H I T E C T U R E F I R M : K E N G O K U M A & A S S O C I AT E S ,
M I N AT O C I T Y, J A PA N ; C L I E N T : AT E L I E R A C E , L O S
A N G E L E S / N T T U R B A N D E V E L O P M E N T; P U R C H A S I N G
F I R M : C R O S S L I N K , M I N AT O , J A PA N ; P H O T O :
C O U R T E S Y AT E L I E R A C E

G O L D K E Y R E S TAU R A N T F I N E D I N I N G

The Highlights: An ode to the elementary school chef Wes Avila attended as a
child in Pico Rivera just east of LA, with a slight twist for a Japanese spelling, this
cocktail and taco lounge overlooks the Ace Hotel Kyoto's lobby from the second
floor. Stairs from the lobby lead guests to a mezzanine lounge lined in wood
paneling topped by indigo dyed washi wallpaper. A long banquette wraps and ends
with a copper-lined seating nook and DJ stand. Woven lighting fixtures hang from
the copper " clouds " lighting fixtures, and a mix of custom American, Japanese, and
Scandinavian furnishings mingle.

WINNER
NAN BEI

BANGKOK

SOURCES:
D E S I G N F I R M : AV R O KO , N E W
YO R K ; A R C H I T E C T U R E F I R M :
T A N D E M / K P F, B A N G K O K ; C L I E N T :
R O S E W O O D H O T E L G R O U P,
HONG KONG; PURCHASING FIRM:
R E N D E D E V E L O P M E N T, B A N G KO K ;
PHOTO: OWEN R AGGET T

The Highlights: Located on the 19th floor of the Rosewood Hotel in Bangkok,
Nan Bei, meaning South and North respectively in Chinese, is a luxurious,
contemporary Chinese dining experience backdropped by an exhilarating
view of the city skyline. The interior design takes inspiration from the
Chinese legend of the Weaver Girl and the Cowherd. As story has it, the
Weaver Girl, who resided in heaven, came down to earth and fell in love with
the Cowherd. However, their love was forbidden, and they were only allowed
to meet once a year by crossing the night sky over a bridge of magpies.
Lush, hand-troweled blue plaster envelops the walls, as intricately
patterned marble floors usher guests down the tea- and wine-lined
corridors into the venue. Pops of yellow in the rich leather seating is picked
up again in the uniquely patterned stone floor, while the bar showcases a
large-scale blue rope woven chandelier, abstractly referencing the craft of
the Weaver Girl.

" Many of the restaurant's most eye-catching features were
imagined from this piece of folklore, including the 30-foothigh light installation in the atrium featuring 800 custom,
hand-folded brass mesh 'magpies' that depicts the iconic
moment of the tale, " says William Harris, principal at AvroKO.

38

WINTER 2020

The Highlights: Chica's spicy interiors celebrate a
blend of contemporary Latin American influences
as well as the traditionally open, airy residences
and hospitality spaces found throughout the
region. The restaurant pairs a vibrant palette of
tropical colors with regional inspirations from
Cuba, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela, evoking
the legendary cigar lounges of South America,
with reference to vibrant Miami nightlife.
Sophisticated finishes such as handpainted
cement Mexican tiles, Brazilian teak stained
wood, rich mahogany, tobacco leather, and
polished brass are showcased throughout.
Boutique Design - Winter 2020

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