Reviving Tradition: The 2 Courtyards Restaurant

TEAM_BLDG's Innovative Design Brings Lingnan Courtyard Concept to Underground Space

The restaurant's design was inspired by the spatial layout of Lingnan traditional courtyards, specifically the "vestibular back garden". This concept was chosen due to its suitability for the existing conditions of the space, which included a layer over 5 metres in height. The design team aimed to recreate the feeling of being in a courtyard, thus diminishing the sense of being in an underground space.

What sets 2 Courtyards apart from other designs is its unique location. Situated in the Lujiazui Financial Development Zone, it is adjacent to the Shanghai Center Tower and other towering structures, and connected with the Shanghai Global Financial Center. Despite being on the second underground floor, the design team was tasked with creating a space that did not feel stifling or confined.

The realization of this design was achieved through the use of materials and techniques that echoed the Lingnan traditional style. Matte-gray marble from Guangdong Yunfu was used as the main floor material, while copper coated metal screens underwent a traditional treatment. The design also features a two-meter square "tree pool", a large flower arrangement device that replaces actual trees due to the difficulty of maintaining plants in an underground space.

The project, which spanned from September 2016 to September 2017, presented several challenges. One of the main challenges was creating an open and pleasant environment in an underground space. To address this, the design team wrapped a number of different sizes in a luminous box. This solution, along with the use of translucent materials, allowed for a flickering effect inside the room, echoing the void and solid relationship found in traditional gardens.

The 2 Courtyards project has been recognized for its innovative design approach, winning the Silver A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2018. This prestigious award is given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation, and that introduce positive feelings, amazement, and wonder. The recognition is a testament to TEAM_BLDG's commitment to pushing the boundaries of design and creating unique spaces that challenge traditional perceptions.