Ma Wei · CLIENT: MCM Design
Rongji Private Banquet is a Chinese restaurant interior located in Tianjin, China. The 590 square meter space joins traditional Chinese character with rich materials and artistic decoration. The ceiling of the public area uses staggered geometric shapes to strengthen the sense of spatial hierarchy. Gray texture paint is applied by hand to keep the tactile quality of the surface. Floors are covered with granite and walls with basalt from Hainan, stones normally used outdoors, so guests feel closer to nature. Private room doors are made of natural marble with carved text and gold strokes.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This is a design concept for a Chinese restaurant located in Tianjin, China. Staying true to the traditional Chinese culture, the project distinguishes itself for using more materials and artistic decorations to the extent possible, so as to confer an unconventional character and feeling to the space. The entire design process represents a bold and intensive exploration of innovative ideas.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- 590 square
- Tags
- Eastern Aesthetics, Dining Space, Chinese Design, Unconventional, Unconstrained, New.
- Production Technology
- The ceiling of the public area features staggered geometric shapes to enhance the perception of space hierarchy. The gray texture paint finish, achieved through handcraft, preserves the tactile quality of the surface, conferring the space authentic and diverse textures. The door plates of the private rooms, crafted from natural marble, maintain the inherent beauty of the material and present text through negative carving and gold strokes, which further enhances the refined ambiance of the space.
- Design Challenge
- The foremost challenge encountered during the project execution was how to transfer materials indoors. The handling process was hampered by intricate processing complexities and various issues in crowded areas, including maintenance costs and cleaning procedures. To address these challenges, the designers and construction team carried out rounds of sampling tests to identify a product solution that caters to the practical needs and facilitates ease of maintenance.
- Project Duration
- The project was conceived in October 2023, and the brand was analyzed and its identity was clarified until December 2023, with the design completed in January 2024 and finished in June.
- Operation Flow
- The modern art work Little Red Figurine in the hallway, titled Hunting for the Dragon, exudes a playful and subtle conceit, which enriches and animates the ambiance of the area. The fireplace installation located at the end of the hallway and within the exclusive dining areas, although seemingly unconventional in a classical Chinese setting, contributes to the non traditional appeal of the space, offering guests with a more profound sense of satisfaction and engagement.
- Research
- The interior floors were adorned with granite, while the walls were constructed using basalt sourced from Hainan and edges were finished with metal lines. Typically intended for outdoor use, these stones were intentionally infused into the interior design to create a sense of proximity to the outdoors for guests. The private rooms were further adorned with natural rattan tops, featuring a remarkable texture, to further enhance the indoor ambiance with a touch of nature.
- Inspiration
- The restaurant is named Rongji, derived from the phrase, A girl will doll herself up for him who loves her, conveys a refined sense of self assurance and the intricate interplay between external appearances and internal complexities. Although the traditional Chinese design may not align exactly with the brand, the object of this project is to preserve the essence of Chinese style and infuse the space with subtle changes and emotions fit to the brand, ultimately reaching a uniform manner.
- Image Credits
- Project photography：Canopy Space Visual
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