We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Monique Lee about their original and creative Restaurant design work. Monique Lee is an award-winning architectural designer, that makes our world a better place with their original restaurant works.
Monique Lee ("ML") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Howard's Gourmet Restaurant. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
ML : The framework of design is based on Ancient Chinese views about formation of Sky and Earth, and the long established concept of the Five Elements which explain natural phenomenon.
ML : We focus on applying traditional architectural elements into modern design concepts. By doing so, it also presents the restaurant founder’s culinary philosophy of combining Chinese food ingredients with western chemistry.
ML : We hope that through application of these classical Chinese architectural concepts into our designs, we could keep our cultural heritage alive.
ML : It took us 2 weeks to develop and finish the whole design concept.
ML : Our business partner presented us the restaurant’s unique culinary philosophy and we were amazed at the concept and took up responsibility of making interior design for their restaurant in China’s Capital – Beijing. Since the restaurant’s location is adjacent to the Forbidden City, we decided to make a design embodying essence of classical architecture.
ML : Yes, the design has been completed and executed as the interior design of the restaurant.
ML : We always aspire to give new life to classical design ideas and preserve spirit of vintage designs.
ML : Things and happenings around us are sources of inspirations and ideas. Creative designs of other designers always drive us to improve and excel.
ML : I personally think that each creatvie design attracts admirers from different sectors in the population. All of us always look for advancement and innovations in life.
ML : I guess each designer has their own ways of perceiving beauty. What makes this design unique is that it presents our views about beauty and it also embodies spirit of the restaurant founder’s enthusiasm to infuse Chinese dining culture with new energy.
ML : The name is from the cuisine founder. Mr. Howard Cai.
ML : Our design tools are mainly Auto CAD, Adobe Illustrator, 3D Max, Photoshop, Microsoft windows and internet resources.
ML : The design is unique in the sense that we try to preserve the disappearing ‘Shiheyuan’ design concept and let it be mentioned and seen in a new face in Beijing which is well-known as a city of cultural heritage.
ML : In most cases, we collaborate with the fitting-out and engineering team to clear all kinds of obstacles, ensuring that the final product and dress-up are in good quality and user-friendly.
ML : We use modern materials to withstand extreme weather conditions and big seasonal temperature changes and minimize maintainence work.
ML : Yes, it is. We reviewed a lot of data about qualities of different construction materials and study historical archives about cosmology, ancient architectural forms and shapes.
ML : Main challenges come from extreme weather conditions which delay progress of contruction works. Meanwhile, we re-constructed the sewage system in order to excute our design concept. It was a lenthy process and had important impact on construction cost.
ML : It was a quick decision. We always want to improve and enhance quality of our designs. A’ Design Award is an open platform where designers from around the world can see our design and we get their comments on our design. It helps us understand where we are and we also learn from other outstanding designs.
ML : We are inspired by the restaurant founder’s advanced culinary concept and see the zest for creative aesthetics in modern China.
ML : Yes, one thing we would always bear in mind. We must respect the culture of any population. Provide spacial comfort and offer design solutions to enhance quality of living.
