The restaurant, located in Chengdu, Sichuan, specializes in traditional Sichuan cuisine. It stands out from the crowd, not by attracting swarms of visitors, but by integrating itself into the urban landscape, much like a man seeking solace in a noisy crowd. The design of Carefree is a testament to Yao's ability to draw inspiration from nature and infuse it into advanced design planning.
The restaurant's unique properties lie in its use of materials and space. Gold brick, marble, copper-like stainless steel, glass brick, art coating, wire glass, wood burning, tile, zigzag red brick, and bamboo devices are used to create an elegant and modern space with oriental elements. The restaurant covers a total of 1480 square meters, divided into three areas: the refreshment area, wine area, and private room, each with its own unique ambiance.
One of the most striking features of Carefree is the sculpture in the center of the moon gate. Yao used deconstruction techniques to combine the radical strokes of the word "Tianqu" with ink painting, creating a brand logo that exudes both style and beauty. This interweaving of brand texts and ink throughout the restaurant reveals the classic style of the entire space.
Another noteworthy aspect of the design is the 360-degree LED screen installed on the wall, displaying the changing seasons. This innovative feature echoes the restaurant's philosophy of using seasonal ingredients to prepare health food, thereby expressing the ancient wisdom of living in harmony with nature.
Despite the challenges faced during the design process, Yao was able to overcome them and create a space that is both visually stunning and functional. The result is a restaurant that not only offers delicious food but also a unique dining experience that allows guests to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature and art.
For his exceptional work on Carefree, Yao was awarded the Golden A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2022. This prestigious award is given to outstanding creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom, advance art, science, design, and technology, and significantly impact the world with their desirable characteristics.
Project Designers: Xiaobing Yao
Image Credits: Image #1: Photographer Dou Qiang, Carefree, 2021.
Image #2: Photographer Dou Qiang, Carefree, 2021.
Image #3: Photographer Dou Qiang, Carefree, 2021.
Image #4: Photographer Dou Qiang, Carefree, 2021.
Image #5: Photographer Dou Qiang, Carefree, 2021.
Project Team Members: Xiaobing Yao
Huan Liang
Project Name: Carefree
Project Client: Xiaobing Yao