Neri&Hu Design and Research Office 如恩设计研究室

Papi Restaurant

Papi Restaurant
© Simone Bossi

PAPI RESTAURANT

Neri&Hu Design and Research Office

INTERIOR DESIGNERS
Neri&Hu Design and Research Office

ASSOCIATE IN CHARGE
Laurent Tek / Federico Saralvo

INTERIORS – ACCESSORIES
Vola, Custom made

PRINCIPALS IN CHARGE
Lyndon Neri & Rossana Hu

INTERIORS – FABRICS
Kvadrat

SENIOR ASSOCIATE IN CHARGE OF PRODUCT DESIGN
Nicolas Fardet

GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Haiou Xin

ARCHITECTURAL – FIXTURES & FITTINGS, EQUIPMENT, SOCKETS & SWITCHES
Inbani, Viabizzuno

DECORATIVE LIGHTING, SPECIFIED
Viabizzuno, Nocturne Workshop

INTERIORS – FURNITURE, SPECIFIED
De la Espada

PHOTOGRAPHS
Simone Bossi

AREA
52 m²

YEAR
2020

LOCATION
Paris, France

CATEGORY
Restaurant & Bar Interiors

Nestled in the Grands Boulevards district of Paris’ 9th arrondissement, Papi is the latest brainchild of up-and-coming restaurateur Etienne Ryckeboer, following the success of his debut seafood bar Bulot Bulot. This time, he teams up with Neri&Hu to rehaul the façade and interior space, and with talented Japanese chef Akira Sugiura to serve a seasonal menu of modern Italian dishes.

Papi Restaurant
© Simone Bossi
Papi Restaurant
© Simone Bossi

Located on the ground floor of a typical late 19th century Haussmann building, Neri&Hu’s design concept celebrates the layered material heritage that narrates Parisian history. During the dismantling phase, the existing site was treated carefully; by stripping back the strata of finishes that have built up through the decades, the beauty of the bare materials is revealed.

Every single existing element was meticulously examined, and the challenge was in resisting the urge to fix every imperfection, to instead honor the imprint of time upon each surface.

Papi Restaurant
© Simone Bossi
Papi Restaurant
© Simone Bossi

Within the interior, portions of the old limestone and brick walls, a raw steel column, and a brick column are preserved and integrated into the design.

On the façade, an existing steel I-beam lintel is featured, while a segment of the old stone moulding by the entry is left exposed, stitching the façade seamlessly to the neighboring building.

Each fragment represents a different period in Paris’ history, forming a beautiful yet imposing canvas for the architects to add their new strokes.

Papi Restaurant
© Simone Bossi
Papi Restaurant
© Simone Bossi
Papi Restaurant
© Simone Bossi

The new raw-steel-framed fully-operable glass façade maintains a visual continuity between the street and the venue, and effectively extends the public realm into the interior.

As guests enter the space through the main door, they see the clash of juxtaposing old and new materials, telling a story of sophistication with fresh textures of tile, glass and wood.

Mirrors are placed strategically to create dynamic perspectives and voyeuristic moments between interior and exterior, while inviting guests into cross gazes.

Papi Restaurant
© Simone Bossi
Papi Restaurant
© Simone Bossi
Papi Restaurant
© Simone Bossi

The spatial and material strategies deployed create a layered reading against the historical backdrop, offering guests a variety of experiences to explore within the space - moments of both public introversion and private extroversion.

Despite the compact 52 square meters of usable area, Neri&Hu’s asserts two figures into the space: an oblong volume forming an arena-like enclosure that integrates all the functional needs of seating, display, chef’s preparation counter, privacy screen, as well as a round shape containing the wood-burning oven.

Clad in handmade convex-curved white ceramic tiles, the enclosure features large openings framed with thick birch plywood that become seating benches for guests.

Papi Restaurant
© Simone Bossi
Papi Restaurant
© Simone Bossi
Papi Restaurant
© Simone Bossi

Entering the arena, where the floor is adorned with narrow white ceramic tiles, guests are instantly transformed from spectators to performers on stage.

The central communal table features a long custom pendant light above, while a series of lights by Viabizzuno create a stark modern contrast on the old limestone wall.

Custom wood and fabric chairs, manufactured by De La Espada, are designed by Neri&Hu specifically for Papi Restaurant to fit within the limited footprint.

Papi Restaurant
© Simone Bossi
Papi Restaurant
© Simone Bossi


Papi Restaurant
Section BB. Image Courtesy of Neri&Hu Design and Research Office
Papi Restaurant
Section AA. Image Courtesy of Neri&Hu Design and Research Office


Papi Restaurant
Ground Floor Plan. Image Courtesy of Neri&Hu Design and Research Office
Papi Restaurant
Elevation on Rue Richer. Image Courtesy of Neri&Hu Design and Research Office

Neri&Hu Design and Research Office 如恩设计研究室
T +8621 5286 2900
Neri&Hu Design and Research Office 如恩设计研究室
322 Jiaozhou Road, Building 31 Jing'an District, Shanghai China 200040 中国上海市静安区胶州路322号31楼