construction union designs foshan eatery based on childhood doodles

construction union has designed an eye-catching interior for a ‘hi-pop’ tea restaurant in foshan, china. with nostalgia in mind, the eatery is defined by a palette of bright yellow and black tile, a choice the studio hopes will appeal to a more youthful frame of mind.

eatery is defined by a palette of bright yellow and black tile
all images by ouyang yun

located in an area of urban decline, construction union’s aim for the project was to help kick-start the economic rejuvenation of the district by drawing in a younger crowd. this emphasis on youth and nostalgia was key to their process, so much so that they reference the hilarity of ‘belching’ as a child as a point of inspiration. the inner space of the restaurant takes a roughly rectangular shape and is defined by two separate volumes — a black box and a yellow one. the change in tone is intended to represent the transition of taste — from the lighter, top notes of flavor to more striking bass notes.

an emphasis on youth and nostalgia was key to the process

lining the floor of the yellow volume are encaustic tiles marked with a ‘sketch’ pattern, meant to emulate a child’s copy book scribbles. the interior further appeals to the guest’s childhood memories through simple use of monster sketches on the partition walls between tables. a stream of crisscrossed sticks suspended from the roof guides visitors to the back of the store, where the playful exterior presentation of the yellow section is replaced by a darker, sleeker tone. black tile lines the floor and walls, while the vibrant yellow seating is replaced with a mature brass counterpart. above the tables is mounted the restaurant’s neon logo, shining a subtle and modern light on the fast-paced diner. 

encaustic tile is marked with child-like scribbling

simple monster drawing inject a pop of playfulness into the glass partitions

the crisscross stick installation on the roof guides visitors to the back of the restaurant 

here, the yellow chairs are replaced with a brassy counterpart

the rear of the restaurant is decidedly more mature, but retains the childish motif

project info:

design company: CONSTRUCTION UNION
design team: chen xiejin, wenwei, xiong lifen
project type: food & beverage
area: 50㎡
main materials: encaustic tile with sketch, black checker brick, galvanized sheet, spray paint, solid round iron bar
design time: 2016.3
completion time: 2016.6
location: foshan, guangdong, china
photographer: ouyang yun

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: peter corboy | designboom