A Disco-Inspired Sichuan Restaurant in Hong Kong
The latest concept by Black Sheep Restaurants, Grand Majestic Sichuan reinterprets the glamour of the 70s in a striking space by Sydney-based designer Melissa Collison. Here she tells us more about the project
Design Anthology: How did you first start working with Black Sheep Restaurants?
Melissa Collison: I had been watching Black Sheep for some time and happened to travel to Hong Kong for Art Basel some years ago, so I set up a meeting with one of the co-founders. He called me back a couple of years later and that was the beginning of a successful and dynamic partnership.
How did you approach this project — what design references or narrative did you try to incorporate into the space?
The brief for the project was to design an upmarket Sichuan restaurant.
We decided to go back in time to the days of disco, that dynamic era of fun and freedom when Hong Kong was the centre of global trade, Studio 54 was huge in New York and Annabel’s was the place to be seen in London. We imagined Grand Majestic Sichuan as the glamorous and avant-garde place to be in Hong Kong.
Please tell us a little about the material choices for the space.
It's all about the clash of colours that represent Sichuan’s hot food — vibrant reds, rich raspberries, tangelo orange and musk pink. Many of the finishes are a thick lacquer set against marbles, moire wallpapers and velvets.
Which of the pieces are custom designed?
Since 2022 is the year of the Tiger, we custom designed a climbing pink tiger in the internal stairs to represent the venue’s opening date. Some of the walls are adorned with massive discs of hand-blown pink glass as wall sconces, which were custom designed and made in Australia.
Do you have a favourite element or design detail in the interiors?
I just love the vibe. It’s dynamic and that reminds me of Black Sheep Restaurants.
What other features are you most excited about?
I love seeing the space come to life. We were able to work with Black Sheep to design the venue and their team then took over and brought it to life. It’s that unison that makes the space truly magic.
