One of the most influential sci-fi filmmakers of all time is Jean-Luc Goddard. In the 1960’s he created “Alphaville”, a movie set in futuristic city controlled by a computer where free thought and individualist concepts are eliminated. In a case of life imitating art, Hong Kong Based designer Joyce Wang has designed a unique restaurant ironically inspired by the collectivist and conformist Alphaville.

Ammo Restaurant sits in the new headquarters of the Hong Kong Asia Society. This proved to be an ideal location for such a progressive restaurant with its 6-meter high ceilings and expansive glazed façades. The main feature of the restaurant is the group of three spiral staircase chandeliers made from copper piping and hung in the center of the space. They are of course reference to “Alphaville” where the staircases create a connection between the computer and the people it controls. In Ammo, the chandeliers draw attention to the space, which is decadently generous in Hong Kong’s tight corners. The materials used in the Ammo reflect the cool, industrial feel of the movie whilst still being warm; with the color palette suitably mineral and looking like it’s straight off the periodic table of elements. One’s eye is immediately drawn to the metal base relief behind the bar consisting bars radiating out from the center. Another major element in the space in the rug in front of the bar featuring a city skyline.

While the aesthetic connection between Ammo and Alphaville is quite obvious, it is the message of the movie that in the end comes though the brightest. Ammo is an extraordinary and singular space, which is visually interesting and thought provoking.

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