Pinq | Matheus Farah e Manoel Maia Arquitetura

A black building in the Itaim-Bibi neighborhood houses two Japanese restaurants that, although sharing the menu and operating in partnership, have distinct proposals. The ground floor unit, where black dominates the interiors, contrasts with the Pinq on the upper floor. While the first is completely open to the sidewalk, the Pinq has a discreet entrance along the side boundary. Upon opening the door, a small hall and stairs covered entirely in graffiti are revealed. At the top, a landing, and a few steps to the right, finally, the restaurant: an environment bathed in pink light that colors furniture, floor, ceiling, and walls alike, ranging from pink to lilac.

The sushi bar, at the corner of the "L"-shaped hall, naturally organizes the space into two areas, with tables and chairs arranged along fixed sofas against the walls—but only until 11 p.m. After dinner, it's time to lower the lights, open the DJ table hidden behind a louvered counter, and clear tables and chairs to transform the restaurant into a disco. With the ground floor restaurant closed, all that is visible from the street is a glimpse of the graffitied hall, dimly lit, and muffled sounds due to the acoustic treatment given to the (always blind) walls of the Pinq.