shenzhen's gaga café by coordination asia grows greenery on an indoor trellis

shenzhen’s gaga café by coordination asia grows greenery on an indoor trellis
all images courtesy of coordination asia

shanghai-based architecture and design studio coordination asia has completed its third interior for restaurant chain ‘gaga’. located at wongtee plaza in shenzhen, the café seeks to entice passersby, and encourage them to enter and remain inside the space. the eatery’s walls, floor and ceiling have distinct characteristics that offer an interesting play between lighting and furnishings. a wooden drop ceiling, which runs throughout the space, transforms into a metal mesh frame that supports hanging planters, and even a sculptural light volume.

greenery is dispersed throughout the space

the use of natural wood creates a warm and relaxing environment, while the color green is used as a soft, feature tone that spreads across different surfaces — such as the plush wall textiles and the hanging planter boxes. opaque black and white tiles are dispersed around the 222 square meter restaurant, transitioning from the entrance to a service cabinet that displays the available food. flexible seating schemes have been devised to help cope with busy periods, with a variety of different configurations able to cater to groups of all sizes. 

a wooden drop ceiling transforms into a metal mesh frame

soft wall textiles are arranged in an alternating rhythm to break up any sense of modularity, while also soaking up unwanted noise, a common issue in café design. ‘the goal for wongtee plaza was to create an environment that satiated both the energetic lifestyle of its patrons and the café’s delicate, yet delicious food,’ explains coordination asia designer alberto caiola.

this frame supports hanging planters

a use of natural wood creates a warm and relaxing environment

the color green is used as a soft, feature tone that spreads across different surfaces

opaque black and white tiles are dispersed around the restaurant

flexible seating schemes have been devised to help cope with busy periods

soft wall textiles are arranged in an alternating rhythm

the café is located at wongtee plaza in shenzhen

project info:

type: restaurant
location: shenzhen, china
scale: 222 sqm
completed: 2015
team: alberto caiola, vega li, yu yin
client: shenzhen GAGA catering management co. ltd