The Tree Restaurant: A Nature-Inspired Design Marvel

Winner of A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2021

In the heart of a bustling shopping mall, The Tree Restaurant stands as a beacon of tranquility, offering a unique dining experience that blends the boundaries between nature and architecture. This award-winning design, inspired by the intimate connection humans share with nature, has quickly become a popular social hub, attracting customers with its innovative design and bright, inviting atmosphere.

The Tree Restaurant, designed by Li Peng and Chen Guanliang, is a testament to the power of innovative design. The restaurant's exterior breaks the boundaries of traditional design, creating a cozy and natural scene that stands out amidst the hustle and bustle of the shopping mall. The ceiling, crafted into a "cloud sea" using pure white glass fibers, creates an undulating, soft, and magnificent spectacle. Upon entering, customers are greeted by a large tree, offering a unique opportunity to observe the ever-changing "cloud" from different angles.

The restaurant's design is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional. Despite being primarily designed for female customers, its natural posture and bright light have attracted a wide range of clientele, making it a popular spot for young people to socialize. This has not only increased customer flow to the shopping mall but also awakened people's love for nature.

Creating such a unique space was not without its challenges. In the northern regions, where the climate is comparatively low, the designers had to consider indoor photosynthesis to sustain plant growth. They managed to build a cloud ceiling that simulates natural light, distributing the location of light in such a way that plants in different directions could fully receive light energy. At the intersection of the cloud ceiling and the wall, a reflecting mirror was applied to showcase a visual feast of the "big tree" hidden in the cloud, broadening the edges of the "cloud sea".

The Tree Restaurant is an excellent example of how design can transform a space and create a unique experience for customers. It serves as a symbol of the arrival of warm spring in the northern city, triggering people's fondness for nature. The restaurant is a place where people can talk under the "cloud" and enjoy delicious food in the "flower bed". It uses lights to restore the original color of items, creating extraordinary scenes that people refer to.

The Tree Restaurant's design was recognized with a Silver A' Design Award in 2021, a testament to its innovative and remarkable design. This award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that showcase a remarkable level of excellence and introduce positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: HELI DESIGN OFFICE
Image Credits: Main image by: Li Peng Optional Image #1 by: Chen Guangliang Optional Image #2-3 by: Li Peng Optional Image #4 by: Lu Haolun
Project Team Members: Conceptual design: Li Peng, Chen Guanliang Schematic design: Li Peng Design development: Liu Tao Execution management: Jiang Bo, Wei Kexin Lighting design: Wang Daoyi Decoration and furnishings: Liu Zhisheng
Project Name: The Tree
Project Client: HELI DESIGN OFFICE


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