
PNY in Reims, France by Rudy Guénaire
Parisian restaurant group PNY has unveiled its latest outpost in Reims, France, transforming a portion of the historic Halle du Boulingrin into a striking dining space that merges California modernism with French sophistication.
The project, spearheaded by the brand's co-founder and creative director Rudy Guénaire, represents a bold interpretation of cross-cultural design elements within the 1929 listed building. The restaurant's most commanding feature is its soaring seven-meter-high walls, clad in an alternating pattern of light and dark wood paneling. These architectural elements are meticulously joined with cream-colored silicone, creating a rhythmic visual dialogue that pays homage to the refined aesthetics of modernist pioneers Schindler and Eames. Suspended from the lofty ceiling, monumental strips of golden yellow fabric create an undulating canopy, evoking both the sun-drenched California coast and the timeless elegance of art deco design.
In a notable reinterpretation of traditional French dining elements, the restaurant's banquette seating introduces a contemporary sensuality to classic brasserie design. The partitions, finished in a striking lagoon blue lacquer and crowned with polished aluminum lighting fixtures, feature a constellation of perforations that transform the space after sunset, casting a ethereal pattern of illuminated points throughout the interior.
The influence of Frank Lloyd Wright manifests in the strategic placement of angled mirrors, a contemporary interpretation of his revolutionary corner window concept. These reflective surfaces create an intricate interplay of light and perspective, dissolving spatial boundaries and amplifying the interior's sense of depth.
Custom-designed elements further enhance the space's distinctive character. Three monumental spherical luminaires, rotating slowly above the bar area, emit a warm orange glow that adds to the atmospheric dining experience. The bespoke Wavy chairs, featuring undulating tubular frames in pastel yellow, reference both Bauhaus principles and California's surf culture, specifically the iconic Mavericks surf break. Their design simultaneously captures the project's retro-futuristic aesthetic while providing functional seating for the 60-cover interior space. The Reims location accommodates 60 diners indoors and approximately 100 on its terrace, operating seven days a week at 18 rue du Temple.
Words courtesy of Perrier / Giroire Communication | Photography by Ludovic Balay
Architecture & Interior
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