We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Honglei Liu about their original and creative Restaurant design work. Honglei Liu is an award-winning architectural designer, that makes our world a better place with their original restaurant works.
Honglei Liu ("HL") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Lakeview Palace Restaurant. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
HL : According to ancient Asian philosophy the building blocks of all nature and humanity are the five elements of Earth, Fire, Gold, Water and Wood. From a geographical point of view, it is believed that all five elements inhabit the four different points of the compass with Water and Fire representing North and South and Wood and Gold signifying East and West respectively with the Earth at its heart.
HL : When one walks into the Winter Palace Restaurant, you recognize the sensation of being touched by the space and in turn, this sensation will lead your heart. Every occasion of discovery here is akin to reading the history, the culture and the humanity and the feeling of transgression of the freedom from the vulgarity.
HL : The layout of the Restaurant, inspired by this philosophy, has its main dining hall as its central Earth element while the West placed entrance signifies Gold and the abundance of wealth, success and prosperity for the client. North of the dining space is the peaceful and serene Study Space, reminiscent of a calm body of water with the fiery South picked as the obvious location for the Kitchen. The luxury Lounge located on the Eastern axis also draws on the Chinese idiom that “precious air comes from the East” by treating every visitor as a cherished guest.
HL : The central raised “stage” with its treated black stone flooring and magnificent views across the lake, the entrance courtyard and the lakeside outdoor terrace, creates the setting for the grand circular dining table. A Chinese ceremonial tea table, made from a tree root carving, part sculpture part furniture, stands between the Dining Space and the quiet and tender Luxury Lounge while the tranquil study with exquisite wooden screens, Ming Dynasty style furniture and wood carved art offers a space for peaceful, post-dinner contemplation and conversation rarely found in a restaurant.
