Stonesal Ristorante

Press Kit

Unique Properties

Located in the trendy Nanshan district of Shenzhen, also known as the Silicon Valley of China, Stonesal is a restaurant composed of an interior space of 850 square meters and a lush outdoor patio area of 450 square meters with a total capacity of around 140 seats. Main design features include the double height dry-aging room, the octopus translucent central bar, a generous open kitchen, a mezzanine wine showcase, 5 private VIP rooms and the main dining area with a ceiling height of 5 meters.

Dimensions & Packaging

850 square meters

Tags

Restaurant, steakhouse, sculpture, octopus, retro, bar, art, marble, interior, fine dining

Production Technology

The exterior facade composes a collage of textures with copper, marble, and glass. Main interior materials include translucent marble, Himalayan salt blocks, metal mesh, antique wood planks, vintage mirror, perforated metal panels, textured paint, cowhide leather, rough dark stone, and textured copper panels, etc. Measuring over 2.6 meters in diameter and weighing around 1 ton, the upside-down hanging octopus sculpture was 3D modeled, printed and revised before it was finally casted in copper.

Design Challenge

To achieve the customized, genuine expression of various installations and materials, numerous pieces and sculptures require specialized manufacturing techniques at various factories all over the country. However, travel restrictions and lockdowns had caused delays for all manufacturing and transportation processes. While online video calls during construction supervision were conducted on a weekly basis, on-site progress was also substantially affected throughout its 7 months of construction.

Research

As Shenzhen has been known for southern Chinese cuisine, extensive research went into the population’s understanding of western culinary habits and stylistic preferences. New enterprises, especially in the tech industry, have attracted young and trendy crowds demanding more diverse establishments in the city. The Stonesal concept was then created where both the chef’s ingenious culinary creations and avant-garde design aesthetics come together for a mesmerizing experience for all senses.

Inspiration

In contrast to the fast-paced, tech-overload lifestyle of our modern generation, as perceptible by the surrounding monotonous glass-cladded building blocks, Stonesal is inspired to create a refreshing yet nostalgic, authentic yet precise, audacious yet playful sanctuary experience for its guests. Through combining textures and customized installations, the design reinterprets the traditional decadent steakhouse with dramatic materials, artistic expressions, and manufacturing methodologies.

Project Duration

The design phase in Shanghai began in November 2021, while construction in Shenzhen began in April 2022. The project was completed and opened to public in November 2022.

Operation Flow

The design and client teams went through numerous design iterations during all phases of the project to ensure overall functionality and flexibility. Due to restricted site conditions in back of house areas, all ducts and equipment were modeled in BIM software to ensure exhaust and fire requirements were executed correctly for maximum clearance. Other consultants, such as lighting, landscape and local artists, also participated on-site and online meetings regularly during the year-long process.