Located inside a standalone villa on West Jianguo Road in Shanghai, Lunar is a modern Chinese restaurant designed by Sò Studio. Covering 260 sqm, the project combines references to traditional Chinese architecture with a contemporary spatial language, organising the dining experience through a sequence of interconnected environments defined by curved forms, natural materials and restrained surfaces.
Sò Studio designs Lunar Restaurant in Shanghai
Lunar was conceived as a contemporary interpretation of Chinese dining, reflecting the restaurant’s seasonal approach to cuisine while creating a calm atmosphere within the urban context.
Rather than reproducing traditional architectural elements, the design incorporates selected references to Chinese spatial culture, combining geometric composition with details inspired by classical Jiangnan gardens.
A tea stall introduces the dining experience
The entrance level is organised around a tea stall positioned on the first floor of the villa.
Soft lighting, bamboo screens and tea bricks define the atmosphere of the entrance, establishing the first stage of the customer experience before reaching the main dining areas.
Curved forms guide the journey through the restaurant
A pebble pathway accompanies visitors towards the upper level.
The transition between floors is marked by a suspended cornice whose curved profile draws inspiration from the architectural language of traditional Jiangnan gardens. This element connects the circulation spaces with the main dining room and the private dining area while reinforcing the continuity of the interior.
Murals, floral installations and matte materials
Within the dining spaces, a hand-painted mural introduces warm orange tones that establish a visual dialogue with the tea area below.
The floral installation created in collaboration with florist and designer Maggie Mao complements the interior without dominating it, contributing to the overall composition of the space.
Throughout the project, matte finishes become the defining material characteristic, reducing reflections and emphasising the tactile quality of the different surfaces.
Project information
Project Lunar Restaurant
Location No. 222 West Jianguo Road, Shanghai, China
Design Team Sò Studio
Design Directors Yifan Wu, Mengjie Liu
Space Designers Hongchen Lin, Alex Zeng, Nectarine Yi
Gross Built Area 260 sqm
Furniture MATZform
Lighting Herman Miller
Painting RIALTO
Terrazzo Agglotech
Wood Veneer Tabu Veneer, B:Sanfoot
Florist Maggie Mao
Photo credit Wen Studio