Cafe at Far Eastern, Shangri-la Tainan

December 2008
1,150 sq.m

A sense of casual creativity pervades the cafe, where the designers have managed to balance the grandness of the hotel architecture with the warmth of social dining. To reduce the impact of the twenty storey atrium towering above, the team created a feeling of shelter with large trees and light canvas sheets stretched artistically aloft. Rich sunset colouring and playful decorative lighting then lifts and softens the vibe.

Working with the concept of 'food theatre', the designers encouraged sightlines through to the various illuminated cooking stations, but also custom crafted a screen to create a boundary between the theatre and the dining. The screen - inspired by Japanese bento or lunch boxes - is a whimsical, slightly retro feature that allows degrees of interaction. However the team also understood the value of zoning in such a large space, and unique touches lend identity to different sections so that diners can find their way easily back to their tables.