Prominently located on the 10th floor of the Times Square Shopping Center in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, Pak Loh Chiu Chow Restaurant by NCDA is the latest addition to the multi-outpost Family owned Restaurant Group. Established in 1967, Pak Loh is locally renowned for its traditional Chiu Chow cuisine, which originates from the coastal region of Guangdong Province. To cater to the evolving tastes of the newest generation of Hong Kong diners, Pak Loh’s mission is to bring new elements to popular conventional dishes using innovative techniques and premium seasonal ingredients. As a design strategy, NCDA interpreted the mission statement and created a 6000 SF restaurant that represents the convergence of the old and the new through a synthesis of vintage references and streamlined modern details.

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Dominating the main dining room, the vaulted walnut veneer ceiling structure references the spirit of 1960’s Hong Kong in a futuristic cutting-edge manner. The ribbed CNC milled ceiling structure consists of 20 half arches, which are rotated and repeated at angular increments to cover the entire ceiling. The ceiling geometry results in a cost effective and relatively simple installation that yields a unique and complex form. The wood clad structure offers good sound absorption properties which helps to reduce noise level in an otherwise loud space. Bespoke wall sconces and suspended light fixtures are being placed strategically to create a rythmical pattern that further highlights the delicate framework of the ribbed structure.

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Arriving at the restaurant, diners pass through a curved passageway comprised of faceted brass vertical screens which leads to the main wood covered dining room. Placed on either side of the entrance, two curvilinear VIP rooms allow for a gradual passage from the bustling mall into the cocoon like wood interior of the main dining space. The compressed entryway accentuates the generous volume of the main dining room beyond, and in turn the transition provides a calm yet discreet experience for the patrons as they enter and leave the restaurant.