Wild: A Fusion of Time and Space in Restaurant Design

Exploring Pengfei Ni's Award-Winning Design Concept for Nanjing Wild

Wild, a restaurant and bar in Nanjing, China, is a unique design project that has been awarded the Silver A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2021. The project was undertaken by Pengfei Ni, Xiao Hu, and Weikang Hou, who transformed the original catering space into a composite commercial space that houses both a restaurant and a whiskey bar. The design concept was inspired by the brand name "Wild", and the designers chose to interpret this theme through the lens of time.

The restaurant is set in the present, aiming to create a relaxing camping experience in the wild. The design incorporates an Oxford cloth canopy, similar to those used in real outdoor camping, and natural rock flakes on the wall. The bar, on the other hand, is set a hundred years in the future, where humans have moved to new homes. This futuristic setting allows for more imaginative design elements, such as a luminous model of the earth and a special-shaped structure made of wood board and gypsum board.

The designers faced several challenges during the project, including the installation of the restaurant's canopy and the design of the bar's curved shape. However, through continuous on-site tests and innovative solutions, they were able to overcome these obstacles. The result is a space that offers a rich experience for guests, with two levels of different heights and multiple visual elements that reflect the space and the earth in the sky.

The project, which started in September 2020 and was completed in December 2020, is the second transformation of an old Nanjing restaurant brand. The original single-function space was divided into two independently operated parts: the restaurant and the whiskey bar. The two spaces are independent of each other but retain visual mutual visibility, offering a unique dining and drinking experience for guests.

In conclusion, Wild is a testament to the power of design in transforming spaces and creating unique experiences. The project showcases the designers' ability to blend different time periods and themes, resulting in a space that is both innovative and engaging. With its award-winning design, Wild is set to redefine the dining experience in Nanjing, offering guests a glimpse into the future while keeping them firmly rooted in the present.