Restaurant 13 / Johan De Wachter Architects

Architect: Johan De Wachter Architects
Location: Jinhua City, China
Client: Government of Jindong New District, Jinhua City
Organizer: Ai Weiwei, Herzog&DeMeuron
Principal Designer/s: Johan De Wachter
Design Team: Pei Liu
Collaboration: Fundc, ABT Velp
Site Area: 1500 sqm
Project Area: 600 sqm
Project Year: 2007
Photographs: Iwan Baan, Philip Fung, Johan De Wachter

Courtesy of Johan De Wachter Architects

In 2007 JDWA (Johan De Wachter Architects) completed it’s project Restaurant 13 on the banks of Yiwu river, as a part of the The Jinhua Architecture Park. In 2004 Johan De Wachter was asked to design a restaurant for this international architecture project initiated by the Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei. The Jinhua Architecture Park is a part of a large development area in Jinhua City, China. The park, designed by the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei (Fake Design), stretches along theYiwu river. 17 public buildings of 10 international and 7 Chinese architects were planned in the park. These ’17 Urban Public Mini-structures’ are presented by the Jindong District as a fresh try of international design practicing based on the discussion among local government, experts and 17 selected architects from all over the world. ”Restaurant 13′s rigid but elegant structure of steel, stone and bamboo represents an interpretation of the Chinese dining culture. The traditional restaurant typology of ‘watching and being watched’ is emphasized in the project.”

sections and elevations

Three ‘speeds’ of eating are integrated in one building. This assortment is provided by ‘vending machines’ (street food), a ’3D tablescape’ (medium food), and a ‘lounge restaurant’ (slow food). Restaurant 13 is integrated in the Park through its steel-bamboo structure providing shadow and shelter. The open ground floor plan merges the restaurant with the park without a specific border. The detailing of the roofscape refers to the way traditional Chinese architecture deals with the nature elements. An informal stacking of ‘tables’ organizes the ground floor. This covered terrace also serves as an unprogrammed ‘event-space’.

Text provided by Johan De Wachter Architects.