YUYE Bistro, situated in the bustling heart of Shanghai's commercial district, draws its name and inspiration from the ancient adage "Nestled in the wild." It aspires to embody the concept of an untamed sanctuary within the confines of the urban landscape. Amidst the rigors of a hectic workday, YUYE offers visitors to unwind and recharge their spirits during the evening hours, providing a haven of natural, rustic, and tranquil ambiance where they can restore life's delicate balance.

A Lightly Folded Space

The concept of " folding" in the space design is evident here. The original space was a large, high-ceilinged indoor area, and to avoid a sense of overwhelming scale, Pronounced Design reorganized it into four distinct zones : dining area, lounge sofa area, serving bar, and wine cellar. Through the strategic use of various ceiling suspensions, subtle elevation changes in the flooring, and an interplay between glazed bricks and matte paint, the design achieved a clear hierarchy within each of these defined areas. Each space now offers a unique and captivating experience, all while maintaining a seamless flow that effortlessly connects the different zones.

The dining area adopts an external pavilion design. With folding windows, it can transform into window seats facing the pedestrian sidewalk, providing a resting place for guests including those accompanied by their four-legged friends to better interact with the street. Much like origami game, it allows for flexibility, effectively adapting the large space to a more human-friendly scale.

The lounge area uses a screen as a lightweight partition, providing a sense of shelter and privacy to the upper space while offering more diverse and relaxed social options beyond the dining area. The screen is framed with metal squares, their galvanized plating enveloping the entrance, lending the space a visually captivating skeletal structure. The screen features hinged, reversible leaves made of ribbed glass and antiqued copper mirrors. This addition brings an almost musical dimension to the space, infusing it with a unique and engaging rhythm.

A Contemporary Remix of Chinese Elements

The bistro's menu specializes in Sichuan cuisine and wine pairings. This culinary focus is mirrored in the design language, skillfully blending Chinese elements with a modern aesthetic. Pronounced Design took a custom approach to furnishing the YUYE Bistro project, resulting in a harmonious space. The designers revisited Ming-style armchairs with smoked charred wood and brushed metal, while enhancing the seating comfort. The tabletops are adorned with green glass accents, while the sofas are upholstered in emerald green vegan leather, the combination of which creates a contemporary and abstract representation of lush foliage. Step into the wine cellar area, here the smoked bamboo is used for the wine cabinet details, echoing the bamboo screen at the entrance and the ceiling of the wine cellar, providing a natural and tranquil ambiance reminiscent of bamboo groves.

The main axis of the space on the ground is paved with fired cobblestones, which has a simple and rough texture, providing a grounded feeling akin to strolling in a historical park. This contrasts with the microcement surface on the upper level, creating a multi-level effect. The walls are coated with a warm textured paint, while exposed concrete columns retain their original appearance. Notably, a cluster of small cube-shaped lightboxes in vibrant shades of orange and green serve as captivating visual landmarks, leaving a lasting impression on both guests and passersby alike.

Like a carefully crafted cocktail, the entire space blends metals, wood, stone, leather, and, in the end, adds a dash of 10% lighting element to infuse the ambiance with electrifying vitality. This thoughtful composition serves as an emotional tonic, invigorating people within the bustling cityscape from dawn till dusk, offering a dynamic energy that resonates throughout the day.