Model Practice, the bi-coastal architecture firm known for challenging conventions and finding innovation in the everyday, announces the completion of Lifted Lid, the inaugural location for Korean fast-casual restaurant Sopo in Manhattan's historic Garment District. The 900-square-foot project has been recognized with the Architizer 2025 A+Awards Popular Choice award in the Small Restaurant category.

Located on the ground floor of The Arsenal Building—a 1924 landmark designed by noted architect Ely Jacques Kahn—Lifted Lid exemplifies Model Practice's philosophy of working with history, constraints, and existing buildings to create spaces that cross-pollinate across industries and building typologies.

Design concept: Reimagining traditional Korean culture

The project draws its conceptual foundation from the traditional Korean dosirak, a compartmentalized platter that organizes different foods into distinct sections. This cultural reference manifests as a suspended sculptural box that mirrors the spatial organization below, with each compartment serving a unique functional purpose within the restaurant's operations.

"We sought to create a design that honored Korean culinary traditions, while responding to the urban intensity of 7th Avenue," explains the Model Practice team. "The suspended box serves as both a functional organizing element and a cultural bridge between traditional Korean dining customs and contemporary New York City life."

Architectural innovation meets urban context

The design employs a sophisticated approach to acoustic management, addressing the challenges of creating an intimate dining environment within the bustling Garment District. The suspended box's exterior shell reflects the surrounding urban environment, while its interior features acoustic plaster lining that softens textures and reduces street noise, creating an oasis of calm for diners.

The minimalist aesthetic demonstrates Model Practice's commitment to intentional design, where every element serves both functional and experiential purposes. The project showcases the firm's ability to transform constrained urban spaces into compelling environments that enhance both the client's business objectives and the customer experience.

Culinary excellence meets thoughtful design

Sopo, which translates to "small packages that deliver a moment of solace and joy", represents a new approach to Korean fast-casual dining in New York. Chef Dennis Hong, drawing from experience at Jean Georges, and three-Michelin-starred Le Bernardin, has created a menu that delivers Michelin-quality Korean cuisine at accessible price points under $20.

The restaurant's concept of bringing "thoughtful, Michelin-quality Korean food to Midtown Manhattan" aligns perfectly with Model Practice's design philosophy of finding innovation in everyday experiences. The space supports Sopo's mission to recreate meaningful Korean dining concepts within New York's fast-paced urban environment.