Zhongmeishan Self-Service BBQ Plus by FUNUN LAB: Sculptural Dining Space in Beijing
Redefining the Brand Experience
Zhongmeishan, a popular food brand from Wudang, opened its first upgraded flagship store in Olympic North, one of Beijing's most prestigious residential districts. To attract high-end clientele, the brand collaborated with FUNUN LAB, a renowned innovative restaurant designer across Beijing.
FUNUN LAB was tasked with transforming the large square space into an environment rich in details, rhythm, and atmosphere. Through a combination of geometry, curves, and light, designers created an ambiance where lunch becomes more than just food — it's an immersive experience.
Sculptural Central Element: White Stairs
At the heart of the restaurant lies a sculptural white staircase, whose free-flowing curves resemble a mountain range gently wrapped in clouds. This feature not only organizes movement through the building but also embodies brand identity, symbolizing the connection between cuisine and nature.
The staircase provides clear spatial orientation, while edge lighting adds warmth and softness. It serves as both a visual anchor and a metaphorical link between earthly delicacies and high aesthetics.
Interactive & Immersive Dining Space
FUNUN LAB emphasized interactivity as a key design element. The first floor features an interactive dining zone, enhancing customer engagement and reflecting the brand philosophy that food is not only nourishment but also a social exchange.
From the lobby, guests can glimpse a transparent private room, located at the opposite end of the hall — this clever arrangement poetically recalls classical Chinese poetry about views through bridges and towers. Such a reinterpretation deepens the spatial and cultural narrative.
Light, Shadow & Atmosphere
Dining tables on the first floor are arranged in irregular patterns, creating dynamic interplays of light and shadow, forming varying atmospheres within the same space. The design skillfully balances hardness and softness, square and flowing lines, light and darkness — a rhythm that energizes the restaurant while maintaining intimacy.
On the second floor, the atmosphere shifts. Private dining areas and small lounges are designed for banquets, team meetings, or intimate conversations. Lighting here is more subdued, evoking a sense of confidentiality and sophistication.
Commercial Logic and Aesthetic Power
Zhongmeishan Self-Service BBQ Plus showcases FUNUN LAB's approach to hospitality design: merging aesthetics with commercial logic. The blend of macro-sculptural accents (staircase, zoning) with micro-details (textures, lighting, furniture placement) achieves a balance between grandeur and nuance.
The result is a restaurant that is majestic yet people-oriented, functional and poetic — where food, culture, and design intertwine to form a memorable brand identity.
