To make this Shanghai restaurant feel like a retro American diner, Chinese studio Neri&Hu added bold tiles and an angular roof that overhangs a foldable glazed facade (+ slideshow).
Located in the former French Concession, Rachel's Burger restaurant was envisaged as "a porous space" that can be completely opened up onto Wukang Road.

The interior of the restaurant is also visually extended by a series of mirrored panels that reflect views from outside.

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"When fully closed, a clever combination of clear and textured glass along with mirrors are used to great effect to visually extend the boundaries of the space while bringing light, views and streetscape deep into the interior," said the architects.
Hand-painted concrete tiles are used throughout the restaurant, extending up from the floor to cover the sides of podiums that support tabletops.

"The materials from stainless steel counter to the textured glass all are in line with the 50's aesthetic," the architects told Dezeen. "We obviously abstract most of these references but where the inspiration comes from is obvious."

All seating and eating surfaces, including large communal tables with pivoting benches, were custom-made by the studio using steel and walnut.
Neri&Hu was founded by architects Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu in 2004. Previous projects by the studi...