Mou Mou Club: A Fresh Take on Restaurant Design

Monique Lee's Award-Winning Design Showcases Japanese Philosophy and Fresh Market Aesthetics

The Mou Mou Club design is unique in its commitment to being basic and genuine. Lee used an exposure approach to allow customers to taste, feel, and see nature. A fresh food display corner was built, and sources of food were illuminated in milk cans and fresh vegetables. Behind-the-scenes objects used in the food processing chain, like wooden crates and food ingredients, are brought out and shown. A full-scale linear lighting system highlights the motif of dispatching raw materials from nature to dining tables in a flash.

Creating this design was not without its challenges. Designing a linear layout of fluorescent light and brass pipes of different sizes posed a significant challenge. The team had to consider aesthetics while being constrained by pipe sizes available in the market and the actual dimensions of the ceiling. Furthermore, finding a supplier to tailor-make and produce small numbers of glass cylinders while facing a tight project schedule for the opening of the restaurant was a considerable hurdle.

The restaurant's design is not only visually appealing but also interactive. A flow chart from source to delivery of food is painted on the cement wall where customers can see clearly what the restaurant is serving. Concerns about healthy eating are mindfully conveyed in the display of vegetables on the walls. As an added value service, a hidden USB mobile phone charger is built under each table.

The design of Mou Mou Club is deeply rooted in Japanese philosophy and art. The team's research revealed that Buddhism, tea ceremonies, and flower arrangements have strong impacts on different aspects of life. Space and simple shapes are distinctive features. The Buddhist philosophy of Void is realized in their pursuit of minimalism. These elements are kin to Conservation and are important attributes of the design.

The Mou Mou Club design project started in May 2014 and finished in December 2014. The grand opening was in January 2015 in Hong Kong. The restaurant design adopts wood, red, and white colors to present a traditional feeling. The use of simple contour lines reserves customers’ visual attention to food and diet messages displayed. Since the quality of food is a prime concern, the restaurant is layout with fresh food market elements.

Monique Lee's Mou Mou Club design is a testament to the power of simplicity, transparency, and a commitment to quality. It's an example of how design can enhance the dining experience, making it more than just a meal, but a journey from nature to the dining table.