Yan Junjie's Innovative YAO Concept Restaurant

Revolutionizing Traditional Dining Spaces with Artistic Design and Functionality

The YAO Concept Restaurant, located in Shenzhen, China, is a 250 square meter, one-floor interior space that was completed in January 2020. The design process, which began in September 2009, was a meticulous journey of innovation and creativity, culminating in a dining space that is both visually stunning and functionally efficient.

Yan Junjie's inspiration for the YAO Concept Restaurant came from the structure of flowing fishing nets. He deconstructed and reconstructed this concept into a design that creates a life situation of predation and sharing. The fluidity of the curve structure brings a lively and interesting dynamic to the space, offering a strong visual impact. The rhythm of the surface divides different spaces, exploring the possibilities of the structure within the space. The interaction of open and private spaces, movement and stillness within the space, all contribute to a rich impact within the space.

The unique properties of the YAO Concept Restaurant lie in its challenge to the traditional restaurant space. The design creates a unity of separation and continuity, with a high density of tables in the restaurant. The curve structure, which creates the separation between two tables, descends from the ceiling, much like a large fishing net covering the entire space. This forms a landscape of people eating, drinking, and laughing, offering a unique dining experience.

The realization of the design required meticulous planning and execution. Steel was used to ensure the smoothness of the curve surface in the construction process. The structure of the curve surface needed to be fixed on the ceiling, integrating tables, the curve surface structure, and the ceiling. This was achieved by working closely with engineers and making numerous calculations to ensure the possibility and safety of the design. The artificial lighting design aimed to create an underwater dining environment for the customers, using water corrugated stainless steel as the ceiling and various glass lamps to achieve the desired effect of water reflection.

The YAO Concept Restaurant was awarded Silver in A' Hospitality, Recreation, Travel and Tourism Design Award in 2021. This prestigious award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation. Yan Junjie's design is indeed a testament to his creativity and innovation, offering a unique dining experience that blends art and functionality.