Excerpt: Simple Cuisine Gallery, an interior design project by HAS design and research, is a kitchen museum that seeks to inspire and rejuvenate visitors, even in a bustling city. The design features flowing facades that mimic streams and waterfalls, bringing life to the structure. The attention to surface detail creates a welcoming environment that connects visitors with the natural world.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] Simple Cuisine Gallery, Veneta Cucine’s first kitchen museum and flagship showroom in Anhui, China, was crafted by renowned architects Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee of HAS Design and Research. Founded in 1967 by visionary Italian artisan Giacomo Archiutti, Veneta Cucine embodies the pinnacle of Italian industrial design, seamlessly blending fine craftsmanship with a commitment to sustainability, raising awareness of green living.
Nestled within a rapidly growing urban landscape of glass towers, concrete blocks, and bustling commercial spaces, the gallery initially appeared isolated from its surroundings. However, Hung And Songkittipakdee (HAS) discovered a hidden gem—a small linear forest at the edge of the site. This overlooked natural area, with a path winding through thorny trees to a secluded waterfall, offers a peaceful retreat from the city’s chaos. The sound of flowing water and the serene beauty of nature provide a calming escape from the urban concrete jungle.
Simple Cuisine Gallery is more than just a kitchen museum or flagship showroom—it seeks to inspire and rejuvenate. Architects Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee envisioned a design that connects visitors with nature, even in a bustling city. The flowing facades mimic streams and waterfalls, breathing life into the structure. Meticulous attention to surface detail fosters a sense of natural vitality, creating a welcoming environment that fosters connection with the space.
The entrance features hundreds of facade strips cascading like waterfalls, forming a valley-like opening. This undulating form leads into a skylit interior, where light floods in, creating a spiritual and contemplative atmosphere. The central Light Core, typically a quiet plaza, transforms during special events into a multi-functional space for workshops, culinary classes, art discussions, and exhibitions. This redefined showroom transcends commercialism, embracing artistic and cultural significance.
Inside, the gallery offers six multi-functional kitchen spaces, each seamlessly integrated with natural elements. Waterfalls, curved surfaces, and filtered natural light transform these spaces into living works of art. The design transcends practicality, offering a sensory journey that engages sight, sound, touch, and scent, enriching the visitor’s experience with cultural depth and a deep connection to nature. Amidst the urban sprawl, Simple Cuisine Gallery stands as a testament to art, sustainability, and architecture’s power to inspire and uplift the human spirit.
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