Bowl Fantasy: A Dessert Store Redefining Spatial Design

Manuel Lap Yan Lam's Award-Winning Interior Design for Cantonese Tong Sui Store

The Bowl Fantasy project is a fresh take on the interior design of a Cantonese "tong sui" store, a place that serves sweet soup as a dessert. The design team drew inspiration from the soup bowl, a symbol of the brand, and reimagined it in a variety of forms and shapes. The team used different fabrication techniques such as splitting, folding, stacking, and regrouping to dematerialize the physical properties of the bowl. This innovative approach challenges the traditional relationship between space and its implements and redefines our understanding of essential spatial components.

Upon entering the store, customers find themselves in a space where fragments of bowls appear scattered. These "bowls" take on different forms and shapes, creating a dynamic and engaging environment. They are folded and stacked into three-dimensional screens, cut and rearranged as dynamic ceiling designs, or even sliced and regrouped into giant chandeliers. The result is a magical palace that sparks the imagination and offers unlimited possibilities for the dining experience.

To realize this unique design, the team used off-site laser cutting technology for 80% of the design. This approach helped reduce costs, construction time, and on-site labor. Working closely with the laser cutting manufacturer, the team was able to create different forms and folding techniques, which became the highlight of the spatial design.

The Bowl Fantasy project, located in the University of Macau at Hengqin campus, was a low-budget and time-sensitive project. The design team faced the challenge of integrating the fabrication process, on-site installation, and transportation limitations into their design operations. Despite these challenges, the team successfully delivered a remarkable design that won the Silver A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2022.

This award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation. The designs admired for their strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill showcase a remarkable level of excellence and introduce positive feelings, amazement, and wonder. The Bowl Fantasy project is a testament to the innovative and creative prowess of Manuel Lap Yan Lam - The Volks Design.

All images of the project were captured by photographer Manuel Lap Yan Lam. The Bowl Fantasy project is a shining example of how innovative design can transform a simple space into a magical experience, redefining the boundaries of interior design and setting new standards in the industry.