The Sea Refuses No River: A Melting Pot of Cultures

Teppanyaki Restaurant by Alex Jiang Marries East and West

The inspiration for the design came from Jiang's 22 years of living and working in Shanghai. He found himself drawn to the city's lanes and alleys, where he could feel the pulse of the city and witness its growth and development. This experience is reflected in the design of the restaurant, where rivers and roads are represented by 2D lines on the map, creating a 3D composition of nature and humanities.

The restaurant's unique properties lie in its integration of modern lines with traditional Chinese wood structure, reminiscent of the spirit of Shikumen's iron windows. The materials used in the design also contribute to its uniqueness. Copper imitated stainless steel brings a retro feel, while Hainan volcanic rock, oak wood veneer, quality fabric soft decorations, and gray marble all add to the aesthetic and symbolic richness of the space.

The restaurant, with an interior area of 478m² and a landscape area of 800m², was designed to create a Zen-like atmosphere. The planning of spatial moving lines was intended to evoke the sea, a key concept in the design. The wall with moving line and streamline modeling in the aisle is an extension of this concept, as is the handcrafted wall carpet, a tribute to traditional Chinese handicraft and beauty.

The design process, which took place from October 2017 to September 2018, was not without its challenges. The spirit design symbol of Shanghai Art Deco and the ceiling detail design required precision processing. Each step's change size is different, fluctuating like a wave, and the pane modeling shown by the simple lines is a nod to old Shanghai. The arrayed ceiling creates a sense of ritual and presents different spatial feelings.

The design's excellence was recognized when it was awarded Silver in A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2020. The award is given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation, strong technical characteristics, and splendid artistic skill. "The Sea Refuses No River" is indeed a design that inspires positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.