Only in SoCal: The Country’s First Feng Shui McDonald’s

The MAX Zone Technology Park in Foshan, China, is a multi-building incubator campus designed by Ippolito Fleitz Group (IFG) for startups and enterprises in advanced manufacturing, particularly robotics and new-energy development. The design firm's concept for the sales center and show office draws inspiration from Foshan’s rich commercial and cultural history, particularly the concept of 'Jù,' which signifies the harmonious balance of trade, industry, arts, culture, and the physical environment, analogous to good feng shui on a macro scale. This approach aims to create a workplace that attracts talent, fosters connection, and supports focus through resonant design, reflecting Foshan's layered identity as an urban magnet and creative crucible. The 6,500-square-foot sales center encompasses a ground-floor lobby and the entire third floor of a low-rise building, designed to offer a welcoming and hospitable environment akin to a five-star boutique hotel. The lobby features stainless-steel arches and perforated-grid panels, subtly referencing traditional local latticework screens. A woven wall hanging by artist Wu Haijiao provides a modern interpretation of textile craft. The reception area incorporates elements inspired by fine porcelain and ink-wash art; a smoothly molded Corian desk resembling an ancient altar bowl and diaphanous silk panels evocative of classical brush painting landscapes. The third floor includes a large park model, an event lounge with water views, private meeting areas, two tearooms (celebrating Foshan's tea culture), a water bar, and a notable restroom. Throughout these spaces, materials such as glazed barrel tile, red marble, and ceramic tile in stainless steel-edged grids are used. The restroom's centerpiece is a monumental, freestanding circular basin crafted from the same green marble, topped with a four-faced brass-framed mirror fixture. The adjacent show office occupies eight levels, including a windowed basement and ground floor with double-height volumes and mezzanines, along with four upper stories. This facility is envisioned as a model for prospective tenants, demonstrating how a 20,000-square-foot space can be adapted and branded, particularly for industrial robot manufacturers. It also functions as a showcase for the future of the workplace in the Chinese market, embodying the 'Jù' ethos in a modern business context. The reception desk here is a dynamic, spiraling Corian sculpture in vivid cobalt, reflecting the brand color. An adjacent sculptural blue staircase connects the mezzanine levels and leads to a brilliant-orange basement gym, providing a burst of visual energy. The basement level is dedicated to employee leisure, featuring a gym with acoustic ceiling panels and a basketball court with a climbing wall. Upper floors offer diverse workplace scenarios. The second floor focuses on exploration and discovery, with a freestanding wood-and-glass meeting capsule set at an oblique angle and a moon-gate window in a glossy blue metal wall framing robotic arms. The third floor presents circular workstations enclosed by glass or curtains, contrasting with the highly flexible layout of the fourth floor, which uses movable partitions for open workshops or smaller meeting areas. The top floor houses the executive suite. The design culminates in the private dining room on the basement mezzanine, where an open kitchen serving Cantonese private chef cuisine faces a circular marble table for eight. Custom leather curtains with a honeycomb weave define the space, featuring dark granite flooring and a polished stainless-steel ceiling with backlit pinholes, creating a high-tech starry night effect, symbolizing celestial harmony. #IppolitoFleitzGroup #MAXZoneTechnologyPark #FoshanDesign #ChineseHeritage #WorkplaceDesign #InteriorArchitecture #ModernWorkspaces #FengShuiInspired #CulturalIntegration

The article highlights the design of Fanny's, an all-day restaurant located within the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. Designed by Commune, an ELLE Decor A-List firm led by Steven Johanknecht and Roman Alonso, Fanny's aims to offer a communal space that blends comfort, luxury, and a nostalgic yet forward-looking aesthetic, suitable for its cinematic setting and clientele. The restaurant is situated in what was formerly the landmarked May Company department store, built in 1939. The museum itself underwent a respectful renovation by architects Renzo Piano and the late Osvaldo Maiozzi, transforming it into a raw, deconstructed campus. The design brief for Fanny's emphasized creating a throwback interior that also embraced an optimistic future, merging glamour with the industry's essence. Commune faced the challenge of adhering to a color palette previously established by Piano and Maiozzi for the museum's industrial viewing and gallery spaces. They creatively navigated this limitation through careful material selection, well-researched references, and a touch of humor, aiming to encompass various design ideas within a cohesive vision. Inspired by iconic Old Hollywood establishments like the Brown Derby and Perino's, Commune collaborated with designer Sean O'Connor to devise a lighting scheme. This scheme was specifically engineered to visually reduce the perception of the restaurant's impressive 30-foot ceilings. Atelier de Troupe was commissioned to craft curved, period-agnostic lamps that illuminate the booths, contributing to the desired ambiance. Additionally, sheer curtains designed by artist Adam Pogue were incorporated, referencing the scrims used in set design. These curtains serve to divide the expansive 10,000-square-foot space while still allowing natural light to permeate, creating a soft and elegant diffusion. Further design details include an exuberant zinc-topped bar, which draws inspiration from Art Deco movie marquees, adding a touch of vintage theatricality. The tabletops are covered in linoleum, a material choice that appears anachronistic but offers a pleasing tactile experience, described as feeling like leather. This deliberate choice of materials and design elements results in a space that is both cinematic in its scope and human in its scale. The overall execution of Fanny's is presented as a thoughtful blend of historical reverence and contemporary comfort, stimulating both the appetite and the imagination of its patrons. #RestaurantDesign #HollywoodGlamour #InteriorDesign #CommuneDesign #AcademyMuseum #LosAngeles #ArtDeco #OldHollywood #DiningExperience

Holy Matcha, San Diego's pioneering matcha café, boldly defies traditional color rules by embracing a vibrant palette of bubblegum pink and green. The interior design features pink walls, tiles, floors, and velvet banquettes, harmoniously complemented by tropical wallpaper and numerous potted plants, which echo the natural green hue of matcha. This deliberate aesthetic choice aims to create an energetic and inviting atmosphere for patrons. The café's concept was conceived by owner and founder Geraldine Ridaura, who discovered the health benefits and invigorating qualities of matcha during a trip to Japan in 2014. Upon returning to San Diego, Ridaura was inspired to introduce this Japanese green tea powder as a healthy alternative to coffee. She collaborated with the San Francisco-based design firm Homework to bring her vision to life, transforming the petite space into a distinctive and memorable establishment. The design integrates playful color schemes with sophisticated elements such as brass fixtures and quartz countertops, creating a contemporary yet whimsical environment. Beyond its unique decor, Holy Matcha offers a diverse menu centered around matcha. This includes a variety of matcha lattes, refreshing matcha lemonade, and horchata, a creamy, nutty Mexican drink served over ice. The culinary offerings extend to matcha-infused pastries and snacks, catering to a range of tastes. A dedicated retail section within the café curates health-focused products from brands like Moon Juice, along with artisan goods such as leather items and custom-made ceramic matcha bowls crafted by Tsuchikara Pottery. This retail component enhances the customer experience, allowing visitors to take home a piece of the Holy Matcha lifestyle. Ridaura expresses her passion for matcha, highlighting its role as a delicious and health-positive alternative to coffee. She notes the positive community feedback, indicating a strong demand for such a beverage option. Holy Matcha is located at 3118 University Avenue, positioning itself as a unique destination in San Diego for those seeking a vibrant atmosphere and healthy beverage choices. #MatchaCafe #SanDiego #CafeDesign #InteriorDesign #PinkAndGreen #MatchaDrinks #HealthyLifestyle #SanFranciscoDesignFirm #CafeCulture