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Rice to Riches

Wid Chapman Architects

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Giles Ashford
Giles Ashford
Giles Ashford
Giles Ashford

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Comments
Innovation
Functionality
Creativity
Eco-Social Impact
Total
JURY VOTES
Single-Brand Store
5.57
5.66
5.42
5.00
5.41
Matyas Simonyi
Matyas Simonyi Creative Director at Tom Postma Design
6.09
6.09
7.02
5
6.05
Laura Guido-Clark
Laura Guido-Clark Founder at Love Good Color
6.49
6.97
6.54
5
6.25
Matthew Senkowycz
Matthew Senkowycz Cofounder at Loom Atelier
6
6
7
5
6
Shaikha Al-Sulaiti
Shaikha Al-Sulaiti Founder at Shaikha Al Sulaiti
6
6
5.8
5
5.7
Hui Xie
Hui Xie Design Director at ACE Design
5
5.5
5
6
5.38
Nataša Stanaćev
Nataša Stanaćev Founding Partner at Stanaćev Granados
5
6.5
5.5
5
5.5
Roman Vrtiška
Roman Vrtiška Cofounder at Vrtiška & Žák
5
4
4.5
4
4.38
Maria Felicitas Navia
Maria Felicitas Navia Founder at OHIO Estudio
5
5
5
5
5
Amalia Ramírez
Amalia Ramírez Founder and Design Director at ar_ea
5
5
5
4
4.75
Alda Ly
Alda Ly Founder and Principal at ALA Studio
6.5
5
5
5
5.38
Simon Hamilton
Simon Hamilton Founder at Simon Hamilton Creative
5
5
2.22
5
4.31
Lyanne Oosterhof
Lyanne Oosterhof Senior Interior Architect at Mecanoo
There could have been a better inte...
5
5
5
5
5
Shuhei Aoyama
Shuhei Aoyama Founder and Director at B.L.U.E. Architecture Studio
6.06
6.42
6.36
6.06
6.23
Angela Lindahl
Angela Lindahl Cofounder at Yatofo Creatives
5.8
6.7
6
5
5.88
Comments
Innovation
Functionality
Creativity
Eco-Social Impact
Total
JURY VOTES
Bar
5.57
5.69
5.64
5.00
5.47
Matyas Simonyi
Matyas Simonyi Creative Director at Tom Postma Design
5.88
5.98
7.33
5
6.05
Laura Guido-Clark
Laura Guido-Clark Founder at Love Good Color
6.58
6.85
6.83
5
6.32
Matthew Senkowycz
Matthew Senkowycz Cofounder at Loom Atelier
wish the display cases and the bar...
6
6
7
5
6
Shaikha Al-Sulaiti
Shaikha Al-Sulaiti Founder at Shaikha Al Sulaiti
6.14
6.27
5.71
5
5.78
Hui Xie
Hui Xie Design Director at ACE Design
6
6.5
6
7
6.38
Nataša Stanaćev
Nataša Stanaćev Founding Partner at Stanaćev Granados
5
6.5
5.5
5
5.5
Roman Vrtiška
Roman Vrtiška Cofounder at Vrtiška & Žák
5
4
4.5
4
4.38
Maria Felicitas Navia
Maria Felicitas Navia Founder at OHIO Estudio
5
5
5
5
5
Amalia Ramírez
Amalia Ramírez Founder and Design Director at ar_ea
4
5
4
4
4.25
Alda Ly
Alda Ly Founder and Principal at ALA Studio
6.5
5
5
5
5.38
Simon Hamilton
Simon Hamilton Founder at Simon Hamilton Creative
5
5
5
5
5
Lyanne Oosterhof
Lyanne Oosterhof Senior Interior Architect at Mecanoo
5
5
5
5
5
Shuhei Aoyama
Shuhei Aoyama Founder and Director at B.L.U.E. Architecture Studio
6.36
7
6.53
5
6.22
Angela Lindahl
Angela Lindahl Cofounder at Yatofo Creatives
5.5
5.5
5.5
5
5.38
Client
Pete Maceo
Floor area
150 ㎡
Completion
2024
Budget
$650,000
Social Media
Instagram Linkedin
Cash Wrap
Lighting Design

The design concept for the new Lower East Side location of Rice to Riches by Wid Chapman Architects is a creative blend of playful shapes, vibrant colors, and interactive elements that pay homage to the iconic rice pudding parlor's legacy (a twenty year-old shop in Soho) while infusing it with an updated twist.

The architects drew inspiration from the shape of rice grains and the creamy consistency of pudding to inform the overall aesthetic of the space. The result is a curvaceous environment where walls undulate up and down, creating a dynamic and inviting atmosphere. The walls serve as a canvas for 36 oval-shaped LED screens that display constantly moving images and witty verbal quips related to consuming rice pudding, maintaining the brand's hallmark from the previous store.

Continuing the theme, the retail display case for the pudding is designed with a similar vocabulary, featuring playful curves and dynamic elements. The ceilings are adorned with irregularly-shaped lighting recesses, housing thousands of acrylic rods of varying lengths and colors. This innovative use of materials animates the ceiling and adds visual interest to the entire space.

A highlight of the design is the wavy banquette that wraps around the entire storefront wall, complemented by oval storefront windows above. Suspended from the ceiling are tables supported by posts that appear to grow from conal forms, adding an element of whimsy to the seating area. These tables feature an orange backlit ring of acrylic, echoing the orange accent theme that runs throughout the space.

Overall, the design of the new Rice to Riches location seamlessly blends creativity, functionality, and brand identity to create a memorable and immersive retail and dining experience for customers.