Capella García Arquitectura’s interior design in Washington DC

The design studio Capella Garcia Arquitectura, which is headed up by Juli Capella and Miguel Garcia, has undertaken the interior design of the restaurant China Chilcano, recently opened in Washington DC by the high-profile Spanish chef José Andrés.

Its interior design nods to the crossover of cultures offered by its kitchen — a fusion of Peruvian, Chinese and Japanese cuisines. The design isn’t based on folkloric motifs imported from those countries but on the designers’ contemporary, personal vision of what they feel a large ‘dining room’ that’s inviting and popular should be like. It’s spiced up, too, by the creativity and culinary skills Andrés always brings to his restaurants — places which are unique, unusual, never dull and always infused with passion and even a touch of craziness.

The restaurant is divided into two parts. To the left is an area with an informal, streety feel; to the right, a bigger, more formal space with the kind of round tables typically found in China. Ahead of you is an open kitchen and, right at the end, a bar serving ceviche. In short, the space allows each visitor a different area where they can try out this very unusual gastronomic experience. The restaurant’s ceiling is adorned with neon fixtures inspired by Peru’s Nazca Lines (designs found on Nazca Desert plateaus thought to be made by people of the ancient Nazca culture to communicate with the gods). In the restaurant are Spanish firm Ondarreta’s Don swivel chair and Don stool. The decor is based on simple elements, while the hustle and bustle inside the restaurant can be seen through the large windows that look onto 7th Street NW, Washington DC.
Capella Garcia Arquitectura is a comprehensive architecture and design studio co-founded by Capella and Garcia in 2001. It aims to lavish a lot of attention on its projects, be they big or small. The architects’ work stands out for the curiosity they have for everything; they provide plans, ideas, service and enthusiasm to all clients who put their trust in them.