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How We Make It: COQODAQ

Ideas

11.01.24

At COQODAQ, Korean-American restaurateur Simon Kim's fried chicken concept, light is a material—one that has been layered and choreographed to emphasize the beautiful food and the audience. Our goal was to surround guests in an envelope of warmth, creating an inviting environment that changes in tonality and mood from day to night.

The dining room's runway-like circulation is rhythmically marked by a series of "ghost" arches made of lit cast glass and bronze metal connections.

COQODAQ DINING ROOM 068 FINAL Credit Jason Varney for Rockwell Group

The arches were first modeled digitally in-house, then we sent our concept to the lighting manufacturer to create shop drawings and mock-ups.

Arch lighting rendering.
Architectural pencil sketch of glass arch detail.

In meetings with L'Observatoire, the lighting designer, we fine-tuned the LEDs . A prism-like cylinder was added inside the glass tubes to conceal the direct light source.

Arch lighting sample.
Arch lighting sample.
An arch of light is placed next to the corner of a table.
To test warmth and color, we experimented extensively with materials. Our explorations included various glass textures and diverse lighting details, from edge finishes to the type of light source, before ultimately selecting textured cast glass to add even more brilliance.
CROP COQODAQ BACK ROOM BANQUETTES 136 FINAL Credit Jason Varney for Rockwell Group
COQODAQ BACK ROOM BANQUETTE 124 FINAL Credit Jason Varney for Rockwell Group

The end result is a series of glowing arches—an architectural intervention rendered in light to cast a shimmering glow on diners and the food. Theater lights on the sides of the banquettes add additional drama to the space, and a mirrored wall at the end of the room creates an infinity effect.