Mt. Shootao Hotpot Restaurant

Project idea

The idea of this project was inspired by the rich mountain landscapes, architectural heritage, and communal dining culture of Sichuan, China. In many contemporary Chinese restaurants abroad, cultural elements are often reduced to decorative symbols. This project sought to create a more meaningful and immersive experience by translating the spirit of Sichuan into a spatial journey.

The goal was to design a hotpot restaurant that allows guests to experience the feeling of ascending a mountain, moving through a sequence of spaces before arriving at a pavilion-like destination. Through architecture, lighting, materials, and spatial storytelling, the project celebrates the warmth of shared dining while introducing New York audiences to the cultural depth and hospitality traditions of Sichuan.

The project aims to create a memorable gathering place where food, culture, and design come together, fostering connection, conversation, and a deeper appreciation of Chinese heritage in a contemporary urban setting.

Project description

This project is a contemporary hotpot restaurant located in Midtown Manhattan, inspired by the mountainous landscapes of Sichuan, China, and the heritage of traditional Chinese architecture. The project consists of a complete interior design solution, including dining areas, private booths, communal seating, circulation planning, custom furniture, lighting design, material selection, and branded environmental elements.

Within a compact footprint of 2200 square feet, the design creates an immersive dining experience through a carefully choreographed spatial journey. Guests enter at the “base of the mountain” and move through a sequence of spaces that gradually lead them toward a pavilion-inspired destination. The layout combines intimate dining booths with communal gathering spaces to support both private and social dining experiences.

Key design features include custom wooden lattice screens, pagoda-inspired pendant lighting, suspended ceiling structures referencing traditional Chinese rooflines, and a backlit DuPont paper mural depicting Sichuan architectural landscapes. A material palette of cinnabar red, natural wood, woven rattan, matte black metal, and warm ambient lighting reinforces the cultural narrative while maintaining a contemporary aesthetic.

The project aims to balance operational efficiency, guest comfort, and cultural storytelling, creating a memorable hospitality environment that introduces the spirit of Sichuan to a global audience through food, architecture, and shared experiences.

Technical information

The primary material palette consists of natural wood veneer, woven rattan, matte black metal, glass, DuPont translucent paper, and custom-finished millwork. Custom wooden lattice screens are used throughout the space to define seating zones while maintaining visual openness. The ceiling design incorporates suspended architectural elements inspired by traditional Chinese roof ridges, fabricated with lightweight framing and finished in a custom cinnabar-red coating.

Lighting combines decorative and concealed systems. Custom pendant fixtures reinterpret traditional pagoda roofs, while integrated LED lighting highlights architectural features and creates focused illumination over dining tables. A backlit DuPont paper mural is installed along the feature wall, depicting Sichuan architectural imagery and providing ambient illumination.

The furniture package includes custom dining booths, communal tables, and seating designed to maximize comfort and operational efficiency within the compact footprint. The layout accommodates both group dining and intimate gatherings while maintaining clear circulation paths for guests and staff.

The project balances cultural storytelling, material craftsmanship, and contemporary restaurant functionality, creating a durable and efficient hospitality environment that meets modern operational standards while celebrating the heritage of Sichuan, China.

Documentation

Show PDF 1