Eating Table Restaurant: A Fusion of Industrial and Traditional Chinese Aesthetics

Creating Spiritual Tranquility in the Concrete Jungle

Guangzhou, the largest city in southern China and one of the country's top three cities, is known for its bustling lifestyle. The Eating Table Restaurant offers a respite from the chaos, providing a space where people can find inner peace. Liu's design incorporates elements of industrial style while also paying homage to Chinese traditional aesthetics.

Located in Pearl River Metro, one of China's top three CBD centers, the restaurant stands out as a luxurious oasis in the midst of the concrete jungle. The design utilizes the concept of antithesis, juxtaposing elements such as exquisite joint design, solidification of light, and warm furniture. The perfect combination of these factors, achieved through the interaction of joints and structures, creates a new level of antithesis.

The materials used in the design include cement, iron, wood flooring, and beech. These materials contribute to the rough and industrial feel of the space, while also adding warmth and a touch of nature. The dimensions of the restaurant are 40965mm * 31935mm * 3400mm (Max)/2800mm (Min), providing ample space for diners to enjoy their meals.

The design team, consisting of Wenzhi Liu, Yikang Yang, Liangcai Chan, Qijian Wong, Jianfang Liang, Jianhao Du, Li an Chen, Weijian Lu, and Jiacheng Ho, worked together to bring this vision to life. Their collaboration resulted in a space that not only offers a unique dining experience but also showcases the beauty of Chinese design.

The interaction within the space is carefully crafted to enhance the dining experience. The ceiling features lights of varying heights, sizes, and directions, creating a sense of disorder. However, this contrast is balanced by the orderly wine cabinet on the wall. The use of square tubes in the wall frame design not only creates enclosed spaces but also effectively diminishes the impact of the pillars.

The Eating Table Restaurant was completed in a timeframe of 50 days and is located in the Winter Square of Gtland Plaza in Pearl River Metro. The design process involved extensive research, combining Western modernism techniques with the spatial process mode of classical Chinese gardens. The team also studied the technique of controlling nodes used by Mr. Scarpa.

One of the challenges faced during the design process was the potential for the space to become disordered with tables and chairs arranged haphazardly. To overcome this, the team effectively divided the space into different sections, ensuring a visually cohesive and penetrable layout. The obtrusive pillars were addressed by incorporating semi-open boxes, which not only minimized their impact but also added a sense of compactness to the space.

The Eating Table Restaurant is not just a place for dining; it is a warm world created through emotional expression. The design is inspired by the concept of reunion, which is reflected in the convergence and enthusiasm of the space, the cohesion and separation of shapes, and the interplay of light and shadow. Here, people come together, reconnect, and experience the love, warmth, and happiness of being reunited with family and friends.

The Eating Table Restaurant has received recognition for its outstanding design. It was awarded the Silver A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design category in 2016. This prestigious award is given to designs that demonstrate exceptional expertise, innovation, and artistic skill. The Eating Table Restaurant stands as a testament to the team's dedication to excellence and their ability to create a space that evokes positive emotions and wonder.