Circular design shapes Gourmega restaurant

Niger-based Mariam Issoufou Architects has completed the interior of Gourmega, a zero-waste restaurant in New York City’s South Village Historic District, using a rich, dark material palette and a flexible circular dining concept that encourages community and shared experiences.

Occupying the ground floor of a 19th century building in Manhattan, the 62sqm venue was developed in collaboration with non-profit organisation Rethink Food.

GALLERY

Operating as a café during the day and transforming into a supper club at night, the restaurant also supports a connected soup kitchen that delivers free meals across New York, creating a sustainable revenue stream that extends beyond hospitality.

The interior design was informed by the practice’s research into the site’s history, resulting in a layered scheme that balances intimacy with adaptability. Black lime-washed walls, a black-stained cork floor and walnut chairs upholstered in black vegan leather establish a moody atmosphere that allows the architecture and carefully selected materials to take centre stage.

At the heart of the space is a sculptural communal table crafted from alabaster and travertine. Designed as a series of interconnected circular forms, the table can be divided into seven smaller tables, allowing the restaurant to easily transition between daytime café service, communal dining and evening events. The flexible arrangement reflects the project’s emphasis on shared gathering while maximising functionality within the compact footprint.

Providing a striking counterpoint to the otherwise dark interior is a translucent yellow circular glass swivel door that terminates the dining room. The vibrant feature introduces warmth and light while reinforcing the restaurant’s recurring circular design language.

Beyond its hospitality function, Gourmega has also been conceived as a cultural platform. The walls have been intentionally designed to serve as exhibition surfaces for works by local African American artists, creating an evolving gallery experience within the restaurant. One wall also features 14 bronze panels by Nigerian designer Nifemi Marcus-Bello, adding another layer of artistic and cultural expression.

Sustainability informed the project throughout the design and construction process. All materials used in the renovation were sourced from within the United States, while fabrication was completed by contractor TW2M. Together, the considered material palette, adaptable layout and community-focused programming position Gourmega as a hospitality project that extends well beyond dining, demonstrating how architecture can foster cultural exchange and social impact within a compact urban setting.

Images by Seth Caplan via Dezeen