Longquan Forest Restaurant: A Harmonious Blend of Nature and Architecture

Hongyu Chen's Award-Winning Design Offers a Unique Dining Experience Amidst Nature

Located in Baigongyan Park, Chengdu, the Longquan Forest Restaurant is a testament to the human yearning for a return to nature. In a world where the hustle and bustle of city life often overwhelms, this restaurant offers a tranquil refuge. The design was inspired by the desire to provide more than just a dining experience; it aims to offer a spiritual retreat where patrons can enjoy their meals amidst the calming influence of nature.

The Longquan Forest Restaurant is not just a restaurant; it's a dining space that also offers coffee and afternoon tea. Covering an area of about 800 square meters, the restaurant is designed as separate compartments, each offering a private dining experience. The unique feature of this design is the preservation of the original trees between the rooms, creating a sense of dining in the midst of a forest. At night, the interior of the compartments radiates through small holes, illuminating the surrounding jungle.

The design of the restaurant is a marvel of technology and innovation. The trees are interspersed within the compartments and wrapped in glass to form columns, creating a natural decoration. The inner wall in the hallway area is a mix of concave and convex rocks, adorned with birdhouses and creative lighting configurations. The compartments extend to the lake in the form of abstract "lotus flowers", and the three sides of the room arch glass windows to form a 270-degree sightseeing view, enhancing the dining experience.

The design team, led by Hongyu Chen, included Min Chen, Wenhui Li, Wen He, Yong Zhang, and Wei Tao. They faced the challenge of transforming the existing lakeside into several dining rooms without destroying the trees. The result is a design that allows customers to enjoy both the delicious food and the four seasons of the trees, without losing the privacy of the dining environment.

The Longquan Forest Restaurant is a perfect example of how design can bring people closer to nature. It's not just a dining space; it's a sanctuary where people can escape from the pressures of city life and find solace in the beauty of nature. The success of this design is a testament to Hongyu Chen's creativity and innovation, earning him well-deserved recognition in the form of the Silver A' Design Award.