Dine Within Land Art at 50% Cloud

50% Cloud is a cavernous restaurant housed in one of artist Luo Xu’s fantastical red-brick domed buildings that make up a complex in Yunnan province. We speak with Joe Cheng of Hong Kong architecture studio Cheng Chung Design (CCD) to find out more about the project

Design Anthology: How did you first meet the client?

Joe Cheng: We were first approached by Yunnan Urban & Rural Construction Investment Co.  to design DongFengYun Hotel Mi'Le – Mgallery, the hotel that sits within Luo Xu’s complex of red-brick domed buildings in Dongfengyun, Yunan province.

They were so impressed by impressed with our design of the hotel that they asked us to design the restaurant, 50% Cloud.

What was the brief to you for the project?

It was to be not only a restaurant but also an art space with an exhibition area, recreation area, coffee bar and a high-end banquet area. You can see original art throughout the entire space. Sociability was the second priority — they want people to be able to communicate with each other and engage in an exchange of ideas.

What makes the location unique?

Dongfengyun has become a new arts and culture base in Yunnan. The series of red brick sculptures was designed by artist Luo Xu, and in addition to 50% Cloud, the surrounding buildings also house other cultural institutions.

How did you approach the project — what design references/narrative did you try to incorporate into the space?

It’s such an unusual piece of architecture, with no windows and only skylights for light. We worked on the InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland Hotel project, which is in an abandoned quarry, so we had worked with such unique conditions before.

We echoed the curved lines of the building in the interiors. Under the condition of not being able to decorate the building walls, we arranged the layout and furniture in accordance with the light from the skylights, so as to express the ‘idea of light’. Natural light is cast onto the rough bricks, which are well matched with soft lighting and tasteful furnishings. 

Please tell us about some of the custom pieces for the space.

Our team conceptualised all of the artworks, which were then produced by the artist Qi Songtao. All of the tables and lamps in the VIP area were made to order.

Do you have a favourite element or design detail in the interiors?

In every project, our team always pays attention to the design of the entrance, and this one is no exception. A terraced staircase at the VIP entrance leads guests into a dream-like space, while at the main entrance, a curved steel plate was designed to guide guests in while retaining a sense of mystery. Both entrances blend perfectly with the local landscape.

Images / Courtesy of Cheng Chung Design Hong Kong