Office AIO’s Dynamic and Playful Design for Pang Mei Noodle Bar Takes Top Honors, Redefining Sichuan Dining in Beijing reports Surfaces Reporter (SR).
From bowls of noodles to grab-and-go desserts, Pang Mei Noodle Bar is a beloved name for distinctive Sichuan dishes in Beijing. The restaurant, whose name ("Pang Mei") translates to "chubby girl," has mastered the art of blending bold flavors with playful designs. In its latest venture, Pang Mei is pushing the boundaries once again, commissioning Office AIO to design a dynamic, hybrid service model for their newest location in Beijing's bustling hutong district.
A Hybrid Model for a Diverse Crowd
The new Pang Mei restaurant is located on the ground floor of a modern commercial complex, nestled within an open-air courtyard shared by nearby office buildings. The space benefits from a steady flow of office workers during the day, while also attracting a growing crowd of museum and theatre-goers in the evening. This combination of clientele posed a unique challenge for the design: how to cater to both quick, grab-and-go service during the day and a more leisurely dining experience at night?
Office AIO responded with an innovative approach to spatial programming, creating a flexible environment that shifts with the time of day. The layout uses strategic zoning to accommodate different service needs and ensure the space is always engaging. One of the standout features is the long corridor along the restaurant's facade. This area is dedicated to grab-and-go orders, with double-sided window seats offering passersby a chance to relax and enjoy a quick bite. The façade itself acts as an extension of the vibrant courtyard, drawing people into the restaurant with its lively energy.
At the more spacious eastern end, the design transforms the layout into a larger dining area, accommodating additional seating during peak hours. A key element of this transformation is the roller shutter, which acts as a flexible divider: when closed during off-peak hours, it limits the space to counter service, but when opened during dinner rushes, it allows the space to expand into a full-service dining area. This adaptability makes it possible for Pang Mei to test new offerings, such as a seasonal tapas menu for late-night nibbling after theatre performances.
Bringing Playfulness and "Chubbiness" to the Forefront
In addition to its functional design, Office AIO infuses the restaurant with a playful, community-centric vibe that reflects Pang Mei's brand identity. The designers revamped the building's façade to blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. Long tables protrude from the building, with seating on both sides, inviting patrons to engage with the public space of the courtyard. The upward bi-fold glass windows open the restaurant to the plaza, creating an open, welcoming atmosphere.
Above this, a whimsical stainless steel "chubby" superstructure rises from the façade. With its reflective surface and tubular, balloon-like form, it evokes the playful, larger-than-life spirit of Jeff Koons’ sculptures. The canopy offers shading for the outdoor seating area, while the soft landscape steps, inlaid with terrazzo, create a welcoming, friendly feel that extends the restaurant’s personality into the courtyard.
Inside, the playful design continues. Office AIO draws inspiration from the improvisational spirit of traditional hutong furniture, crafting bespoke rubber, cork, and aluminum chairs that are both functional and whimsical. The interior is full of organic, noodle-like shapes - cushioned cylinders in soft nude tones mimic the shape of Pang Mei’s signature noodles, while gradient fog mirrors add a surreal, dreamlike quality to the space.
A Balanced Approach to Space and Social Connection
By blending minimalistic aesthetics with elements of pop art, community engagement, and a bold Sichuan culinary identity, Office AIO has created a space that works on multiple levels. The restaurant flexes to accommodate different service models, impresses with its striking and playful design, and fosters connections among diners both inside and outside the restaurant. In doing so, Pang Mei Noodle Bar continues to innovate, delivering not just a meal but an experience that goes beyond food.