Xinye Ju

First Place ($3,000) 

Xinye Ju
California College of The Arts

Grade Level: Junior (3rd Year)
Category: PLAY
Project: Yan Restaurant

“Yan” is a new Chinese-style Chinese restaurant, the entire interior design of the restaurant combines traditional Chinese cultural elements with modern design, allowing customers to taste the food in a comfortable and elegant environment while experiencing the Chinese cultural atmosphere. Combining old traditions and new styles is not an easy task, and balancing the two elements was the biggest test for this project. Therefore, I chose the Song Dynasty, the most prosperous dynasty in Chinese history in terms of cultural exchange.  “Yan” is divided into four different dining modes. There is a single bar dining area and a family dining space that can accommodate eight people. There is also a normal table for 2-4 people and a poetic and enjoyable tea-tasting area. Regarding the use of materials and lighting design, a Task light is used at the end of each corridor, and the floor material of the dining area and the corridor is not only differentiated but also the direction of the guests’ movement is guided by the directional light on the floor. The best view of the restaurant is provided by floor-to-ceiling windows, where the neon lights of downtown can be enjoyed at night. It is also worth mentioning that as the design of the interior space becomes more and more user-friendly, the “Yan” restaurant is specially designed to provide a more private and convenient space for mothers to breast-feed.