Stefano Tordiglione Design stepped up to the table with design of new Spanish restaurant Sal Curioso

At Lan Kwai Fong's newest dining establishment, Sal Curioso, diners can share space with a curious mind while enjoying authentic Spanish cuisine, thanks to an intriguing design by Hong Kong-based Italian interior design and architecture firm Stefano Tordiglione Design.

courtesy Stefano Tordiglione Design & Edmon Leong

The concept of the design is based on the life personality of the imaginary food inventor and traveller Sal Curioso. Following the chef's footsteps when creating the concept for the restaurant, Stefano Tordiglione Design sliced the space through the middle to create a distinctive split effect centred around a construct and deconstruct concept. Using cement, a neutral material at the bottom and top, the middle section of the room is accentuated with sophisticated and elegant blue molding panels to create a floating sensation for diners. The bottom and top reflect the imagination and ideas of the Spanish adventurer Sal Curioso, around who the restaurant is designed and named, while the middle zone in which people sit is where his creations become a reality as diners consume Spanish fare. The contrast of gritty, contemporary concrete with classic panelling gives the eating zone a luxurious feel.

courtesy Stefano Tordiglione Design & Edmon Leong

Divided into distinct areas, each of the space has unique design. The lounge is a welcoming cozy space, inspired by clubs of the 70s with optical wallpaper, sofas covered in colourful fabric and stand-out black and red stools. Quirky and bright design themes continue throughout. From the bold, cut Spanish tiles of the mosaic bar, in keeping with the overriding construct and deconstruct concept and inspired by Spanish architect Gaudi's decoration, to the mixed-era furniture including '50s chairs and '60s banquettes designed by Stefano Tordiglione Design and '70s vintage lamps in the chef's table, the restaurant is a delightful gallimaufry of eras and worlds that come together under one roof. Details are expressive of an imagined journey. Wave-like sand-blasted mirrors surround the sleek stainless steel open kitchen, also reminiscent of grand ocean to reflect the importance of seafood in Mediterranean cuisine. Large central columns in the dining area are decorated with patterns and prints inspired by the Islamic palace and fortress complex Alhambra, in Granada, Spain. Opposites attract in the bathrooms, where an inverted theme is apparent with the bottom and top of the space finished in simple black and white tiles, while a striking strip of stark cement runs around the middle. Like Sal Curioso's extraordinary mind, his restaurant is full of surprises.

courtesy Stefano Tordiglione Design & Edmon Leong

+ Project facts

Name of Project: Sal Curioso Spanish Restaurant
Name of Clients: Woolly Pig Concepts
Interior Design Studio: Stefano Tordiglione Design Ltd
Chief Designer: Stefano Tordiglione
Location: Wyndham Street, Hong Kong
Completion Date: November 2012
Area: 300 square meters
Contractor: NYC Renovations
Text: Rachel Duffell
Photos: Edmon Leong, Stefano Tordiglione Design Ltd

+ About

Stefano Tordiglione Design Ltd was founded by Mr Stefano Tordiglione in Hong Kong. His art direction is characterized by East meeting West that every detail is a result of research and intuition. With the 'Mind in Italy', Stefano strives to integrate Italian design while preserving local cultures.

Stefano was born in Napoli, Italy and he studied and worked in New York and London for over ten years. His first design experience started in London in 1991. Since then he has worked for internationally acclaimed Italian studios specialized in retail, luxury hotel and resorts, residential development and private yachts.

He is also an artist and his works are part of international private contemporary art collections. It's also worthy to mention the fact that he worked for UNICEF as Project and Art Director in several international events organized in Italy. His numerous artistic experiences have made him develop excellent intuition into aesthetic and design.

The design team at Stefano Tordiglione Design Ltd has strong international background with architects and designer who have worked and studied in Italy, USA, Australia and Korea.

The main office is based in Hong Kong. It also works in partnership with architectural and interior design studios in Italy, including Rome, Milan, Florence and Bari.

+ All images Edmon courtesy Leong, Stefano Tordiglione Design Ltd

courtesy KGP design studio

The ZIPcycle is the next evolution of the bicycle; increasing the efficiency and performance of the bicycle to require less input for more output. In the simplest terms, the ZIPcycle is a recumbent bicycle that has been aerodynamically optimized for less exertion and higher cruising speeds.

courtesy KGP design studio

courtesy KGP design studio

It is still as challenging to traverse a city by bicycle today as it was in1863 when the bicycle was invented. The bicycle has remained relatively unchanged for well over a hundred years. Meanwhile, the automobile bears little resemblance to its original form. It is time for the bicycle to change; to become more efficient. The ZIPcycle seeks to do this by applying the fabrication and aerodynamic innovations standard in the automotive industry, to the elemental and beautiful bicycle.

courtesy KGP design studio

The standard upright bicycle hits an aerodynamic wall as it approaches 20 mph. If you have ever had the experience of riding with a 20 mph tailwind, you have experienced the elimination of this wall. By shifting and streamlining the body position of the rider, and enclosing the drag causing elements of the bicycle in a fairing, this wall again can eliminated. The modern road bicycle and rider has roughly a drag coefficient of .80, the ZIPcycle effectively drops the coefficient to .14. This reduction in drag means that about 40% less energy is required to maintain a cruising speed of 20 mph. While the average commuting bicycle cruising speed is 12 mph, imagine easily doubling that cruising speed, while eliminating the handlebar strain and seat pressure of the conventional bicycle, and preserving the open air experiential component of the conventional bicycle. This is the promise of the ZIPcycle.

+ Key Components of the Design Include

• A die stamped monocoque aluminum chassis;
• Linked steering mechanism, connecting the handlebar to the steering tube and front wheel fork (a mechanism found in underseat steering recumbent bicycles);
• Hub shifting in the rear wheel to accommodate the necessary gearing range;
• Lubricated bearings, gears, and chains enclosed within the chassis in an internal driveshaft beam (so you will never again get grease on your clothes);
• Hollow tail-box, accessible by tilting the ventilated seat forward, spacious enough for a medium sized bag;
• Option for an in-hub motor an lithium ion battery pack to provide hill and acceleration assist functions for cyclists in hilly and mountainous regions;
• Additionally, while the intent of this concept is to preserve the traditional open-air experience of the bicycle, the chassis has been designed in tandem with a fairing, and a fairing will be a future optional component of the design.

+ All images courtesy KGP design studio