Purple Garden Restaurant: A Fusion of Tradition and Elegance

Highlights

Project name: Purple Garden Restaurant
Project location: 140 meters northwest of the intersection of Macheng Road and Wensan Road, Xixi Street, Xihu District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China

Project type: Interior design, Landscape design
Project status: Complete
Chief designer: Ray

Design team: Li Wen, Zhang Yu
Design period: 2023.2-2023.5
Construction period: 2023.5 -2023.8
Site area: 2050 sqm

Interior area: 700 sqm
Clearance: 3.8 m
Main materials: silk, fabric, stainless steel plated with copper
Photo: Hanmo vision

Situated near the iconic West Lake in Hangzhou, the Purple Garden Restaurant offers more than just delectable Hunan cuisine. This dining spot is a testament to the harmonious blend of traditional Chinese garden aesthetics with contemporary design. Let’s take a closer look at the architectural marvels that make this restaurant a unique destination.

Inspired by Jiangnan Gardens

The design of Purple Garden Restaurant is heavily influenced by the famed Jiangnan gardens from the Ming Dynasty. Lei Jian, the lead designer, infused traditional garden elements into the restaurant’s modern setting. This inspiration is evident in the choice of materials and the meticulous attention to the play of light and shadow throughout the space. The use of silk, fabric, and copper-plated stainless steel enhances the elegant yet grounded ambiance, reminiscent of ancient garden aesthetics.

A Thoughtful Courtyard Landscape

The outdoor space of the restaurant is a carefully curated T-shaped site, encompassing 1,350 square meters. It is divided into four distinct areas:

1. Entrance Courtyard: Welcoming guests with an illuminated bamboo fence that creates a natural, serene barrier.
2. Rest Area: Shaded by a majestic century-old camphor tree, offering a peaceful spot to relax.
3. Terraced Steps: Leading down to the central attraction, the lotus pond, these steps provide a visual journey through varied landscapes.
4. Lotus Pond: Situated at the heart of the courtyard, this pond is filled with lotus flowers and koi fish, creating a tranquil oasis.

The layout not only addresses the site’s previous flooding issues but also enhances the serene environment with lush greenery and water elements.

Private Dining with Scenic Views

Inside, the Purple Garden Restaurant continues its tribute to traditional aesthetics with private dining rooms that overlook the lotus pond. These rooms are designed to offer a secluded, intimate dining experience. High ceilings maintain the original building’s sloped roof design, creating a spacious and airy atmosphere. The walls, adorned with dyed silk in soft greens and blue-purples, evoke the colors of midsummer lotus leaves.

Each private dining space is a nod to the Song Dynasty’s artistic heritage, featuring framed calligraphy and silk-wrapped screens inspired by the “Eight Views of Xiaoxiang” paintings. These artistic touches, combined with the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape, provide a dining experience that feels both luxurious and deeply connected to Chinese cultural heritage.

An Ambiance of Refined Elegance

Walking through the restaurant, guests will notice the central hallway, which is adorned with cylindrical vases filled with lotus flowers. This design element acts as a visual separator between the hallway and the main dining room. Mirrored panels and pink lightboxes enhance the feeling of space, creating an ambiance that is both welcoming and visually stimulating.

Freestanding illuminated shelves, strategically placed, offer subtle division between dining areas, ensuring privacy while showcasing traditional tea containers from Hangzhou and Hunan. These containers, reflected on the shelves’ surfaces, add to the calm, reflective quality of the restaurant, much like the serene surface of West Lake.

Conclusion

The Purple Garden Restaurant is a remarkable example of how traditional Chinese garden aesthetics can be seamlessly integrated into modern architecture. From the serene courtyard landscape to the elegantly designed interiors, every aspect of this restaurant reflects a deep appreciation for cultural heritage and contemporary design principles. Whether you’re there for the exquisite Hunan cuisine or the tranquil ambiance, Purple Garden offers a unique dining experience that captivates all the senses.