Silver Interior Space and Exhibition Design · 2020
Xin Ming Yuen Restaurant
by Monique Lee
- A' Design Award 2020 Silver Winner in Interior Space and Exhibition Design
- Awarded April 15, 2020
- CLIENT: Xin Ming Yuen
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 47,237
- Verification code EE5F6B9A9B · Verify this award
About Xin Ming Yuen Restaurant
The entrance is a parade of contrasting materials, structures, and colors. The reception area is a space of tranquil comfort. Auspicious patterns encounter playful decorations. Behind is a dynamic bar area within a resting context. Traditional Chinese character Hui pattern led lights adds a sense of futurism. Going through a delicately adorned roofed cloister is the dining area. Decorated with floral, carb fish images, embossed stained glass screens and the ancient herbalist Bai Zi cabinets, it is a visual journey through time and cultural relics in fashion.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Essence of traditions are reinterpreted in a contemporary manner. It defines generation from different aspects and connects diversities in harmony. Antique connects with modernity, liveliness with peace, east with west, domestic with exotic. Contrasting properties of matt and shiny finish, elevation and indention, relaxation and invigoration provide new visual experience. Together with ancient symbols, patterns, materials and details, each corner is a unique complex of art, culture and fashion.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The site area is 489 sq.m.
- Tags
- Shanghai, China in the 50’s and 60’s, Friends, Lunch & Dinner, Restaurant, Time travel, Multiculturalism.
- Production Technology
- Modern techniques revive ancient design concepts in new materials for a novel visual experience. Traditional Chinese brick walls are changed to wood materials with a brick texture coating. The water jet cutting technology executes mosaic tile auspicious designs onto marble stones. Oxidized mirror effect for a nostalgic ceiling at reception is achieved by eroded steel plate. LED light tubes form a modernized Return pattern on ceiling for soft and even lighting over the bar area.
- Design Challenge
- Since the use of glass ceiling is against the China's law, oxidized mirror ceiling above the reception is replaced by treated steel plate. To achieve the desired effect, much effort and time have been put on applying erosive solutions to get close to the original design. Track lights are added over the bar counter for a stronger lighting effect. We have difficulties in getting exceptional slim and long light poles to go through the gaps among the grid frames of Chinese character Hui pattern.
- Project Duration
- The project started in November 2018 in Beijing, China and finished in June 2019. The restaurant formally started business in July 2019.
It is located at L1-12, Parkview Green FangCapDi, No. 9 Donadagiao Road, Chaoyang Dist., Beijing, China - Operation Flow
- Memories touch our souls. The design has flashbacks of Shanghai in the 50's and 60's which marks the golden decades of modern China. Traditions passed down through centuries are strongly impacted by Western culture and modernity. Every corner shows traces of history at, before and beyond the period. Customers travel and explore history through different time spaces, feel and interpret their own feelings.
- Research
- Information regarding eastern and western art, architecture is mainly collected on the internet and from designer's personal collection of books about interior designs and architectural history.
- Inspiration
- Concept is inspired by Hong Kong's East meets West culture. It embraces the finest qualities of a traditional culture passed down in a modern context. It's great attention to fine details is an echo to the restaurant's perfect presentation of food colours, aroma, taste and appearance. Design is a travel through time concept and infused with a nostalgic mood of the old Shanghai Paris in the Orient where Chinese traditions were strongly influenced by modernity. It has lived and evoluted to the present.
- Image Credits
- Copyright of photos belongs to Xin Ming Yuen.
- Patents
- Copyrights belong to Monique Lee, 2018.
Colors of Xin Ming Yuen Restaurant
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We transform spaces into memorable experiences. Our award-winning studio specializes in restaurant, retail, and residential interiors that blend cultural heritage with contemporary innovation. From concept to completion, we create spaces that tell unique stories.
G0E23 ShopGrand Interview about Xin Ming Yuen Restaurant
Balancing traditional Chinese elements with modern aesthetics was central to our vision for Xin Ming Yuen. We drew inspiration from classic motifs, such as the traditional Chinese brick house, and reinterpreted them using contemporary materials like wood and stone-like varnish. The brand logo, prominently displayed in red, anchors the space in cultural authenticity while serving as a modern design element. By carefully selecting materials that retain the essence of traditional design yet adapt to a modern context, we achieved a harmonious blend that resonates with diverse patrons, ensuring cultural authenticity remains at the forefront.
The entrance design was inspired by the concept of creating an inviting yet intriguing threshold that reflects the vibrant cultural tapestry of Shanghai, where East meets West. The contrasting materials, such as the wooden relief wall reminiscent of traditional Chinese architecture and the modern glass and steel mesh screen, create a captivating visual dialogue that draws guests into the restaurant. This bold approach not only emphasizes the restaurant's unique identity but also sets an energetic tone for the dining experience. As guests transition through this visually dynamic entrance, they are immediately immersed in a harmonious blend of traditional Chinese aesthetics and contemporary Western influences, preparing them for an exciting culinary journey that celebrates both heritage and modernity.
Our approach to modernizing the Hui pattern involved a careful balance between innovation and reverence for tradition. By incorporating energy-efficient LED light tubes into the design, we not only maintained the pattern's cultural significance but also embraced an eco-friendly approach. This choice enhances the visual appeal while inviting a new audience to appreciate traditional motifs in a contemporary context. The result is a design that honors its roots and engages with today's aesthetic sensibilities, all while promoting sustainability in our design practices.
We chose water jet cutting technology for its precision and ability to realize intricate designs that are characteristic of traditional Chinese patterns. Our desire to incorporate these traditional motifs into the flooring required custom-made solutions, and water jet cutting allowed us to achieve this seamlessly with marble, which aligns perfectly with our overall concept of blending East and West, particularly in the vibrant context of Shanghai. This method not only enhances the restaurant's aesthetic by integrating elaborate designs but also pays homage to traditional craftsmanship. Additionally, the durability and high-quality finish provided by this technology ensure that the flooring remains both beautiful and functional, complementing the upscale ambiance of Xin Ming Yuen.
The "time travel" concept at Xin Ming Yuen is designed to transport guests back to the charm of old Shanghai. This is particularly evident in the main entrance, where we feature a wall made of traditional Chinese house bricks, complemented by bright yellow moldings that reflect Western design elements, along with modern mirror partitions. In the reception area, we utilized a distinctive Chinese green with a high gloss finish for the traditional-style reception desk, enhancing the cultural ambiance. The ceiling design incorporates a Chinese grid pattern at varying levels, crafted from modern materials, further blending the old with the new. Throughout the restaurant, every element is a mix and match of Western and Chinese influences, with some features deeply rooted in traditional Chinese style. This thoughtful combination creates a narrative that enriches the overall dining experience, allowing guests to appreciate the harmonious coexistence of history and modernity.
The Bai Zi cabinets and embossed stained glass screens were chosen for their historical significance and aesthetic appeal. The Bai Zi cabinet, inspired by the legendary doctor Hua Tuo from the Three Kingdoms period, features over 400 drawers designed to mimic his traditional medicine bags. This cabinet symbolizes generations of Chinese medicinal knowledge and represents the importance of fresh ingredients in our cuisine. Their thoughtful arrangement throughout the restaurant creates focal points that invite guests to engage with the rich cultural narrative, enhancing their dining experience and connection to Chinese traditions.
The transition from a glass ceiling to treated steel plates, while initially a regulatory challenge, ultimately enhanced the overall design aesthetic by introducing a unique texture and depth to the space. The steel plates, with their intricate corrosion patterns, add a modern industrial touch that contrasts beautifully with the restaurant's traditional elements. This creative solution not only complies with regulations but also contributes to a cohesive visual narrative, reinforcing the fusion of modernity and tradition throughout the restaurant.
In designing the bar area, our key considerations included creating a vibrant atmosphere while ensuring a sense of relaxation. We incorporated lively patterns and colors, such as the auspicious ‘回’ pattern illuminated by LED light tubes, to energize the space. At the same time, we maintained harmony through the use of balanced textures and materials that resonate with the overall design theme of the restaurant. This thoughtful approach allows the bar area to serve as a lively gathering spot while still feeling integrated into the tranquil dining experience.
The design of Xin Ming Yuen pays tribute to the golden decades of modern China by incorporating elements that evoke the nostalgia of the 1950s and 1960s, such as the use of traditional materials and motifs like the Bai Zi cabinets and the Hui pattern. These elements reflect the craftsmanship and cultural richness of that era. However, we adapted these features using modern techniques and materials, such as treated steel and LED lighting, ensuring that they resonate with contemporary diners. This fusion creates a space that honors the past while providing a fresh and relevant experience for today’s clientele.
The success of Xin Ming Yuen serves as a blueprint for future restaurant designs that seek to bridge cultural heritage with modern aesthetics. By demonstrating that traditional elements can be reinterpreted through contemporary design practices, we hope to inspire other designers to explore their cultural narratives in innovative ways. This project highlights the importance of storytelling through design, encouraging a dialogue between the past and present. As more designers embrace this approach, we can expect to see a growing trend in creating spaces that not only celebrate cultural heritage but also resonate with the evolving preferences of modern diners.