SUSHI ZEN…
is a fitting name for this visually arresting and highly sensorial fine dining experience in Beijing’s Dongcheng District. The restaurant which overlooks the Forbidden City, one of China’s best-loved historical sites, is housed on the second floor of an imposing 19th century brick building with vaulted brick arches. It has been completely renovated by Beijing-based interiors firm LDH Design, a practice that is widely considered expert in the field of what could be termed ‘poetic’ architecture. The team specializes in creating environments that are organized around symbolic expressions of nature, the power of art and the expressivity of open spaces.
THE GROUND…
floor is dedicated to Cloud Coffee, a café richly decorated like a luxurious library with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, a black and white tiled mosaic floor and a paneled mirror ceiling that encourages the eye to revel in the room’s warm red, sepia and oak brown tones.
THE RECEPTION…
hall is a masterpiece of dramatic design that makes maximum use of the room’s sweeping ceiling, thanks to the patterns of light and dark that dance around the room. This language of lighting is brought to life by two panels that look like giant slabs of glowing amber, along with various sharp angular forms, puzzled together to enhance a sense of depth and progression as if you are entering a temple. These take the form of rock-like blocks, faux window screens framed with paper and carved wooden surfaces that recall the swirling look of knotted yarn. Chief interior designer, Liu Daohua, has deepened this connection to nature with biophilic touches, creating a tranquil indoor landscape thanks to flushes of cherry blossom and patches of verdant moss arranged according to the principles of wabi-sabi.
BY CONTRAST…
dining areas are much more intimate and are separated into four spaces called Chuan, Ze, Song and He, which stand for ‘mountain’, ‘river’, ‘green pine’, and ‘green cypress’, respectively. While each room has its own unique character, the overarching theme is one of sober elegance that’s serene, organic and refined.
ILLUMINATION…
is an architectural feature at Zen Sushi: traditional wooden latticework screens and panels allow the light to flow through the restaurant spaces, while the effects of light & shadow lengthen and intensify various spatial features, such as the minimalist dining tables, curved sculptural seats and the statement staircase.
THE ROOFTOP…
terrace is an extension of this aesthetic, one that strikes a balance between glamorous hideaway and nurturing cocoon. Accessed via a winding wooden walkway, this sunken seated area is a tranquil oasis, surrounded by maple and bamboo trees with stunning views of the imperial palace.
Design: LDH Architectural Design
Lighting Consultant: Beijing Light-House Lighting Design Co. Ltd.
Brand Consultant: Beijing XinYu Brand Consultant Co., Ltd.
Photography: Wang Ting
