Yuangu Restaurant Beijing | Wuzhi Design

Design is a quite interesting thing, no matter architectural design or interior design, that is creating space and shaping space. When we start a new project, we always start to work according to its functional requirements, such as restaurants, cafes, libraries and so on. Each space has its own characteristics. The restaurant is for eating, and the library offers reading place. In fact, these have reached the basic functions, but we do not think functional problems have been reasonably solved.

Several days ago, I read an interview about Toyo Ito (Japanese architect/the Pritzker Architecture Prize Winner).  One point of view that makes me believe that ‘function is meaningless’. This is a topic worth thinking about. Design becomes more and more complicated in nowadays, at the same time, they do not meet people’s advanced needs. Can I read books only in the library? But in fact, we can read in any comfortable place. Single function is worthless, and people need more compound space. Please try to imagine a place where you can drink afternoon tea, read, sell and even exhibit.

Before designing Taikooli Store, we did not think about these issues. We just would like to create a beautiful dessert space. By constantly thinking about human nature, we gradually realized the appearance of Yuangu. Simply considering the dessert space is not the whole Yuangu. We Should give more consideration of spiritual needs. What dose Yuangu do? Sell dessert? Sell wine? Sell utensils? It seems inaccurate. Yuangu is a place to offer new lifestyle and sell life experience. After understanding these, functional requirements should be liberated. Life is diverse, so should Yuangu store.

From the entrance, we use a dramatic design, hiding your eyes by linen curtain. When you could not see the whole view, you will have curiosity. Passing through the narrow space, you will find the logo of Yuangu. The small sign looks old and rough. With the few steps of rusty blue stones, it suddenly becomes clear. The first comes to your eyes is Yuangu shop. Through the wood grille windows, there is a pond with flowing waves. Surrounded by green, which makes you feel like you are in a paradise. Outside the window, the bamboo shadows in the yard are whirling, the breeze is blowing, and the colourful leaves are scattered. It is really a sense of detachment from the world.

When you are sitting in Yuangu Taikooli store, you cannot feel the existence of things. Everything goes as it should be. When you wander here, you will feel the tranquility of nature. Yuangu never defines space. You can take a nap under the sun, whisper to your friends near the pond, or pick up a favourite book. This is a specious space, but also a place to purify the soul. As long as you come in, everything will be fine.  

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设计是一件有趣的事情，无论是建筑设计或者是室内设计都是在塑造空间。在接触每一个项目的时候，我们都会习惯性地按照其功能属性来展开工作。比如餐厅，咖啡馆，图书馆，等等。每一个业态都有自己的特性。餐厅是用来吃饭的，图书馆是提供阅读的场所。的确这些都满足了所谓"基本功能”。然而这些功能真正解决了问题吗？其实未必是这样。

前两天读到一篇关于伊东丰雄(日本建筑师，普利兹克奖获得者)的专访，其中有一个观点让我深以为然，“功能无意义”。我觉得这是一个值得思考的话题。现在的设计功能越来越复杂，但却没有满足人的高级需求。只有在图书馆里可以读书吗？但事实上在任何一个舒适的场所都可以读书。单纯的功能是没有价值的，当下的人们应该需要更多的复合型场所。设想一下，如果一个空间既可以喝下午茶，又可以读书，既可以售卖，又可以展览。这会是一种什么状态！

在设计太古里元古之前，我们并没有想清楚这些问题，只是单纯的想做一个漂亮的下午茶空间，随着对人性的不断思考，我们才模糊的认识到元古的样子，单纯考虑下午茶餐厅不是元古本店的全部，我们应该更多地考虑人的精神需求。元古到底是干什么的？是买茶点的？是买酒的？是买器物的？等等。好像都不准确。也许元古应当是贩卖生活的场所。明白了这些就完全解放了功能上的需求。功能不再是我们追求的目标。生活是多样的，元古本店也应该是多样的。

从入口开始就运用了一个戏剧化的设计，用布幔遮住你的眼睛，当你看不到全貌的时候就会产生好奇心。穿过布幔是一个狭小的空间，元古的招牌映入眼帘，小小的招牌呈焦黑色甚至有些粗糙，伴随着几歩锈迹斑斑青石台阶便会穿过一个门洞，而后豁然开朗，映入眼帘的是元古商店，L型的商店将你引入整个空间。视觉穿过矮墙是碧波荡漾池塘，四面绿意成荫让人仿佛置身世外桃源，周围的座椅让你仿佛看到闲人垂钓于此。窗外院内竹影婆娑，微风拂过缤纷的落叶散落其间，真有一种超然于世之感。

置身于空间当中，仿佛感受不到物的存在，一切顺其自然，当你徜徉于此便会感受到自然的恬静，这空间没有属性，你可以在午后的阳光下打盹，也可以在池边与朋友窃窃私语，更可以拿起一本喜欢的书细细品读。这是一个似是而非的空间，更是一个净化心灵之地，只要你进来，一切便好。