Song Chinese Cuisine: A Modern Interpretation of Ancient Aesthetics

Yongcai Huang's Award-Winning Design Merges Tradition with Innovation

Yongcai Huang's inspiration for the Song Chinese Cuisine restaurant design stems from the Song Dynasty, recognized as the pinnacle of ancient Eastern aesthetics. The design draws heavily from the "Ruihe Map," a work of art by the emperor Song Huizong, considered the epitome of the Song Dynasty's culture and art. Huang took the subtle elements of "crane feather" from the "Ruihe Map" and incorporated it into a new space design, allowing guests to experience ancient culture while dining.

The uniqueness of the Song Chinese Cuisine lies in its modern interpretation of a Chinese restaurant. Huang used 100,800 pieces of heterogeneous stainless steel bricks and 399,860 pieces of colored feathers to construct the restaurant's basic form. The curving shape of the surface challenges the traditional imagination of a Chinese restaurant, creating a unique spatial experience for the guests.

The realization of the design involved the use of modern materials and techniques. A large-scale glass feather art installation, themed "Crane Wing," is used in the space. Illuminated by light, it reveals a gorgeous, dreamy luster. The 399,860 pieces of glazed feathers and slender copper columns subtly separate the space, adding to the restaurant's aesthetic appeal.

The restaurant, spread over an area of 2280m2, was designed and developed over three years, from December 2015 to July 2018, in Guangzhou. The project faced numerous challenges, including the crafting of stainless steel bricks with different specifications and the development of unique components. To restore the original taste of Song Chinese Cuisine, Huang invited a renowned chef from Sichuan to serve as the restaurant's executive chef consultant.

Yongcai Huang's Song Chinese Cuisine has been recognized for its innovative design and has been awarded the Golden A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2019. This prestigious award is granted to creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom, advance art, science, design, and technology, and significantly impact the world with their desirable characteristics.

In conclusion, Yongcai Huang's Song Chinese Cuisine is a masterpiece that beautifully merges the aesthetics of the Song Dynasty with modern design techniques. It is a testament to the power of design in creating unique spatial experiences, and its recognition with the Golden A' Design Award underscores its significance in the field of interior design.