- Project: Shanghai Zi Fu Hui Restaurant
- Architect: LDH Design
- Location: China, Shanghai
- Year: 2021
- Area: 890 m2
Architectural Thinking Meets Gastronomy
At the heart of Shanghai’s cultural landscape, Shanghai Zi Fu Hui Restaurant by LDH Design exemplifies Liu Daohua’s philosophy of architectural thinking in interior design. By merging color, geometry, and materiality, the restaurant becomes more than a dining space—it is a work of spatial art. With bold foresight and a strong “challenger” mentality, Liu Daohua transforms the project into a modern hospitality icon that unites international aesthetics with oriental poetic charm.
A Cultural Setting in Shanghai
Shanghai, a city long celebrated for the integration of East and West, provides the perfect backdrop for Zi Fu Hui. From the early 20th century Bund to today’s cutting-edge architecture, the city has always set cultural trends. Within this global context, Zi Fu Hui offers a serene escape from the metropolis, presenting diners with a space that balances heritage, refinement, and contemporary flair.
The restaurant is managed by Mr. Zhou Ziyang, known as the “Gentleman Chef.” Its name reflects a blend of personal and cultural meaning: “Zi” taken from the chef’s given name, while “Fu” (blessing) and “Hui” (wisdom) evoke auspicious qualities. The cuisine focuses on high-end, customized Cantonese dining, matched by a spatial design that defines what is “international, oriental, fashionable, and elegant” for a new era.
Nature, Light, and Ritual
From the entrance, visitors experience a design imbued with ritual and symbolism. A hitching post at the threshold embodies the meaning of welcome, while also carrying the connotation of warding off evil and blessing the space. Inside, the atmosphere is defined by darkened shadows, quiet elegance, and an interplay of light and material.
Expansive glass curtain walls invite natural light and city views deep into the space, creating a dialogue between the restaurant and its urban surroundings. Liu Daohua’s lighting design enhances this relationship, imitating the qualities of daylight to heighten the spatial experience.
Throughout, red accents—artworks, details, and furnishings—add depth and vibrancy, symbolizing vitality and auspiciousness. These punctuations of color build an interactive relationship between art and architecture, enriching the sensory dimension of dining.
Materiality and Spatial Impact
Liu Daohua applies architectural techniques and materials to define the interiors. Reinforced concrete, plain cement finishes, and geometric lines create a spatial language that is both powerful and restrained. The result is a restaurant that carries the strength of architectural form while maintaining intimacy for dining.
This balance is further emphasized in the contrast between rigid structural elements and refined interior details, reflecting both masculinity and elegance. The overall composition demonstrates how architectural thinking can transform a hospitality venue into a modern cultural landmark.
Sentiment and Cultural Resonance
For Liu Daohua, dining design is not only about atmosphere but also about expressing cultural values. Quoting Yu Qiuyu, “Culture is a spiritual value and way of life that have become habits,” Zi Fu Hui embodies the collective personality of Shanghai—cosmopolitan yet rooted in tradition.
By merging oriental sentiment with international aesthetics, LDH Design ensures the restaurant transcends function. Zi Fu Hui becomes a cultural representation of an era, showcasing how space, cuisine, and art can converge into a holistic hospitality experience.
The Shanghai Zi Fu Hui Restaurant by LDH Design is more than a Cantonese dining destination; it is a spatial narrative of Shanghai itself. Through architectural thinking, Liu Daohua creates an environment that celebrates heritage, innovation, and cultural continuity, offering guests an immersive experience where light, form, cuisine, and sentiment align.
