Atlas Kitchen has debuted on New York’s Upper West Side as the manifestation of the ancient Chinese myth the Classics of Mountains and Seas. New York- and Shanghai-based architecture and design firm New Practice Studio oversaw the revamp of an existing, 3,000-square-foot storefront into the canvas upon which the tale’s more than 500 mountains and 300 bodies of water are depicted.
The interior features wall illustrations courtesy of artist Qiu Anxiong that highlight imagery alluding to the folklore as well as ancient Chinese cartography. Atlas Kitchen is broken up into four spaces including the main dining room, a communal room, the kitchen, and a private nook. Beneath light wood ceilings, gray tile floors span the interior with a white geometric design reminiscent of a mountain range. The center of the room is anchored by two seating vignettes clad with dark wood frames and light gray cushions. A communal seating area is detailed with gold etching along the walls and a steel overhang. Hidden behind curtains, the private dining room features a curved wall of navy tiles carved with geometric beige lines.
