A Modern Yunnan Restaurant in the Heart of Shanghai
Overlooking the river on Shanghai’s North Bund, HONG 0871 pairs authentic Yunnan cuisine with contemporary interiors by Beijing-based IN • X. Here the studio’s creative director Wu Wei tells us more about the project
Design Anthology: Where is HONG 0871 and what makes the location unique?
Wu Wei: The restaurant is on the North Bund in Shanghai’s Hongkou district and overlooks the Wusong River. An extension of the North Bund, the area is the city’s central business district and has rich cultural and historical heritage.
How did you approach the project — what design references did you try to incorporate?
We based the design on contrasting references to Yunnan and Shanghai, combining the colours, aromas and tastes of Yunnan cuisine with colours and materials representing the aesthetics of modern Shanghai to create a unique brand identity for the restaurant.
Please tell us a little about the material choices for the space.
We incorporated rammed earth, wood, stone and metal into the restaurant to achieve a contrast between roughness, simplicity, modernity and elegance. Different styles are integrated into the whole but also act as independent elements that work together.
Do you have a favourite design detail in the interiors?
The rammed earth wall is a favourite. We paired the simple yet charming material with more contemporary materials to create a distinct textural contrast. It introduces the rich characteristics of Yunnan traditional homes into both the restaurants and the hustle and bustle of Shanghai.
The tea room is another highlight. Sunlight pours in through the wood lattice sliding door and the light curtains. The simple wooden floor and mottled ceiling give the space a unified and quiet feeling, where traditional and contemporary aesthetics meet.
What other features are you most excited about?
Following the tradition of Yunnan cuisine, we included a cold room for meat, which is a rare feature for a Chinese restaurant. We designed the separate storage space by referencing the traditional storage and display methods used for Spanish ham.
Images / Yan Zheng
